Median salary in the UK after tax
The median salary in the UK is £39,039 a year (2025). After tax with the 2026/27 rules, that leaves about £2,636 a month.
Salary benchmarks before and after tax
| Benchmark | Gross a year | Take-home a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross yearly earnings of full-time employees (provisional), 2025 | £39,039 | £31,628 | £2,636 |
| Average (mean) gross yearly earnings of full-time employees, 2025 | £48,512 | £38,448 | £3,204 |
Single person, 2026/27 tax rules. The earnings figures are for 2025; salaries have usually risen since. Calculate your own salary.
Take-home pay around the median salary
| Salary | Gross a year | Take-home a year | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5× the median | £19,520 | £17,574 | 90% |
| 0.75× the median | £29,279 | £24,601 | 84% |
| The median salary | £39,039 | £31,628 | 81% |
| 1.5× the median | £58,559 | £44,521 | 76% |
| 2× the median | £78,078 | £55,843 | 72% |
The full-time minimum wage of about £24,785 a year is 63% of the median salary. Minimum wage after tax.
Median salaries in other countries
| Country | Salary benchmark | Take-home |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | €62,010 (average, 2025) | €3,832 a month |
| Portugal | €20,328 (average, 2025) | €1,140 per payment (14 a year) |
| Netherlands | €69,000 (average, 2025) | €3,835 a month (plus holiday allowance) |
| Spain | €33,827 (average, 2024) | €1,860 per payment (14 a year) |
| Germany | €64,441 (average, 2025) | €3,318 a month |
| Italy | €33,523 (average, 2024) | €1,945 per payment (13 a year) |
| France | €43,224 (average, 2024) | €2,607 a month after income tax |
Each country's own official benchmark; they differ in what they include, so compare with care. To compare the same salary across countries, use compare countries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in the UK?
£39,039 a year: the median gross yearly earnings of full-time employees (provisional), 2025, from the official statistics office.
How much is the median salary after tax in the UK?
For a single person, £39,039 leaves about £31,628 a year, or £2,636 a month, with the 2026/27 tax rules.
How much of the median salary do you keep in the UK?
About 81%: £7,411 a year goes to income tax and social security for a single person with the 2026/27 rules.
Is the average salary a good benchmark for a job offer?
Only roughly. Averages are pulled up by high earners, so most people earn less than the average; the median, where half earn more and half less, is usually lower. Pay also varies a lot by sector, city and experience.
Sources: ONS: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025. The lowest pay: minimum wage in the UK.