According to the Office for National Statistics recent data, the average salary in the UK per month is about £2,500. When totalled to a year, the median salary in the UK is £34,963. These numbers depend on 2 factors. The INTERNAL and EXTERNAL. The external factors are environmental like the job market, location, economy, and law. On the other hand, the INTERNAL are things about you. These are your skills, qualifications, position, and experience.
Therefore, understanding both internal and external factors provides a clearer picture of earning potential across different demographics. In fact, In every stage of our life, there are different ranges of income that we can achieve. Keep reading below to learn more about the average salary UK earned by each group age.
What is the Average Salary UK by age?
The legal age to have a job in the UK is 13, with restrictions on the type of work and hours a young person can perform. At the same time, there is no restriction on how old a person can stop working. This is because the forced retirement age of 65 no longer exists.
Read down below the different ranges of the average salary UK by age. These salaries can increase with age as individuals gain more experience and qualifications.
Teenagers: 13 to 19 Years
If you're under 18, you can expect to earn at least £6.40 per hour as your average salary UK. However, if you're 18 to 20 years old, you can earn around £8.60 per hour. Many teenagers take on part-time jobs while still in school or college. Here are some examples of jobs you might do:
Retail Assistant
- Role: If you have good customer service and communication skills, you’d be great for a Retail Assistant role. This job involves helping customers, managing payments, as well as keeping the store tidy.
- Per Hour: £11.44
Waitstaff
- Role: On the other hand, if you’re good at multitasking and enjoy talking to people, a Waitstaff job might suit you. In this role, you’d be taking orders, serving food, and ensuring that customers are happy at restaurants. Aside from your salary, you can also earn money from a customer’s tips, increasing your average salary UK!
- Per Hour: £9.00
Babysitter
- Role: Additionally, if you’re responsible and good with kids, a Babysitter job could be perfect for you. You’ll be looking after children, helping them with meals, and making sure they’re safe while their parents are away.
- Per Hour: £6.40
Cleaner
- Role: If you’re organised and can manage your time well, a Cleaner job might be a good fit. This job involves keeping homes or offices clean, tidying up spaces, and ensuring everything looks neat.
- Per Hour: £9.00
Delivery Driver (17 and older)
- Role: Finally, if you're 17 or older and have a driver’s licence, being a Delivery Driver could be an excellent choice. You’ll drive packages or food to people’s homes, ensuring deliveries are on time.
- Per Hour: £8.00–£10.00
The average salary UK for teenagers ranges from £6.40 to £8.60 per hour, depending on their exact age. This equates to a monthly income of roughly £500 to £1,000 for part-time roles.
Young or Early Adulthood: Approximately Aged 20–39
This stage often marks the beginning of full-time employment and career building. People who are 21 and over are now included in the National Living Wage in the UK which is £11.44. Most of these roles range from entry-level to managerial posts.
Graduate Roles in Different Jobs:
Fresh graduates in the UK usually earn around £24,291 a year. However, jobs in Medicine and Dentistry pay more, with starting salaries around £35,000. Also, professionals with 10 years of experience can earn up to £35,503 a year, or even more depending on the job and how skilled they are.
Common Labourer Jobs:
Labourers do physical work, like in construction, factories, or warehouses. The average salary for a labourer is about £22,426 a year, or around £11.50 per hour. For example, entry-level labourers earn around £21,450 a year, but experienced workers can earn up to £27,300 a year.
The average salary UK for those aged 20 to 29 is around £25,000 per year, while individuals in their 30s can earn up to £30,000 to £40,000 annually.
Middle Adulthood: 40–59
By the time people reach middle adulthood (around 40 to 59 years old), many of them have worked for a long time and gained a lot of experience. As a result, they often move into higher positions at work, like becoming managers or leaders of teams. Consequently, these roles usually come with a higher average salary UK and more important responsibilities. Below is the list of common leadership positions in a corporate setting:
1. Vice President (VP)
- Responsibility: The Vice President (VP) is in charge of big areas of a company. They manage teams, set goals, create strategies, and build important relationships. For example, a VP can help shape the company's culture and make sure everything runs smoothly. Overall, they play a key role in helping the company grow.
- Salary: £80,000–£120,000 per year
2. Managing Director (MD)
- Responsibility: The Managing Director (MD) is responsible for the overall performance and daily operations of the company or a division. In other words, the MD handles everything inside the company and makes important decisions, just like a CEO.
- Salary: £100,000–£150,000 per year
3. IT Director
- The IT Director is in charge of all the technology in a company. They create technology plans, manage IT teams, and make sure the company’s technology is safe and works well.
- Salary: £75,000–£120,000 per year
4. Legal Counsel/General Counsel
- Responsibility: The Legal Counsel manages all the company’s legal matters. They deal with things like contracts, rules, and lawsuits. Additionally, they advise the company’s leaders on legal risks and help them make smart legal decisions.
- Salary: £90,000–£150,000 per year
The average salary UK for this age group ranges from £35,000 to £50,000 annually. Generally, this is often the peak earning period for most individuals.
Young Old: 60–75
At ages 60 to 75, many people have already reached the top of their careers. Some choose to work less, maybe part-time or with fewer hours. Others still work full-time because they have a lot of experience. They often become mentors or advisors, helping younger people with their knowledge. Some continue to lead teams, while others enjoy a more relaxed job.
- Consultant
- Role: As a consultant, you help businesses solve problems with your experience.
- Average Salary: £40,000–£80,000 per year (depending on the industry and expertise).
- Mentor
- Role: A mentor guides younger employees or people starting a career.
- Average Salary: This role is often unpaid or part-time, but some mentors in corporate roles can earn £25,000–£40,000 as their yearly average salary UK.
- Part-time Teacher or Lecturer
- Role: Some people teach part-time at schools, colleges, or online.
- Average Salary: £20,000–£40,000 per year (for part-time roles, depending on the subject and institution).
- Advisor
- Role: Experienced professionals become advisors, providing expertise to businesses or individuals.
- Average Salary: £30,000–£70,000 per year, depending on the field and demand.
- Freelancer
- Role: Freelancers work independently in areas like writing, graphic design, or project management.
- Average Salary: £25,000–£50,000 per year (can vary greatly based on skill level and number of clients).
- Nonprofit Worker
- Role: Many people in this age group work for charities or community organisations in part-time or flexible roles.
- Average Salary: £18,000–£35,000 average salary UK per year, depending on the organisation and role.
- Real Estate Agent
- Role: Real estate agents use their knowledge of the market to help people buy and sell properties.
- Average Salary: £25,000–£50,000 per year (can vary based on sales and commission).
Salaries vary widely but tend to range from £10,000 to £25,000 annually, depending on hours worked and job type.
Conclusion: Is £30K a Good Salary in the UK?
A £30,000 annual average salary UK can be considered a decent income, depending on your location and lifestyle. For example, in rural areas, this salary might provide a comfortable standard of living, whereas in cities like London, it may feel more restrictive due to higher costs of living. Ultimately, £30K is good depending on individual circumstances and financial goals.
We all have unique paths to follow, and we’re all different from one another. It's normal to reach different milestones compared to others in your age group, and that's perfectly okay. The most important thing is to celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small they may seem.
Learn More, Earn More with CCM
If you want to earn more than the average salary UK, one way to do that is by learning new skills. Improving your skills can help you get better job opportunities as well as higher pay. Whether you want to do better in your current job or switch to a new one, learning more can make a big difference.
At the College of Contract Management, we offer courses that focus on jobs that are in high demand and pay well. Our programmes are designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. By taking our courses, you can improve your career and earn more money.
