Comparing your salary to the national average only tells half the story. Earnings follow a predictable arc across a working life — rising steeply through the 20s and 30s, peaking in the 40s, then flattening or declining after 55. Comparing your salary to others at your age gives a much more meaningful benchmark.
The data below comes from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024/25 for full-time employees. All figures are gross (before tax) annual salaries in GBP.
For an instant comparison, use our UK income percentile calculator.
UK Salary Percentiles by Age Group (2026)
Ages 18–21
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 25th | ~£15,800 |
| 50th (median) | ~£20,500 |
| 75th | ~£24,500 |
| 90th | ~£31,000 |
Most workers in this age group are in entry-level, part-time, or apprenticeship roles. The National Living Wage (£12.21/hour in 2025-26 for those aged 21+) sets a floor for earnings. Many 18–21 year olds are also in full-time education and work part-time only, pulling the median down.
Ages 22–29
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | ~£18,500 |
| 25th | ~£23,500 |
| 50th (median) | ~£28,500 |
| 75th | ~£36,000 |
| 90th | ~£47,000 |
This decade sees the sharpest earnings growth for most workers. Graduate starting salaries typically range from £25,000–£32,000 in 2026. Those who entered the workforce at 18 will be reaching their mid-career wages by age 28–29. London-based workers in this age group see a premium of approximately 20–25% over the national median.
A worked example: At 26, earning £30,000 places you comfortably above the median for your age group nationally. In London, £30,000 at 26 sits roughly at the 40th percentile for the capital — respectable but not exceptional.
Ages 30–39
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | ~£21,000 |
| 25th | ~£27,500 |
| 50th (median) | ~£36,000 |
| 75th | ~£50,000 |
| 90th | ~£66,000 |
The 30s are when wage divergence accelerates. Workers in higher-skill occupations (law, finance, medicine, technology) see substantial pay progression, while those in traditionally lower-wage sectors (retail, hospitality, care) see slower growth. The 75th percentile of £50,000 is effectively the threshold where the additional-rate tax band at £100,000 and the Personal Allowance taper begin to become relevant planning considerations for the following decade.
A worked example: A 35-year-old solicitor at £52,000 is above the 75th percentile for their age nationally. A 35-year-old nurse at £37,000 is near the median — comparable to average workers of the same age despite requiring a professional qualification.
Ages 40–49
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | ~£23,000 |
| 25th | ~£30,000 |
| 50th (median) | ~£42,500 |
| 75th | ~£60,000 |
| 90th | ~£80,000 |
This is the peak earning decade for UK workers. The median salary of £42,500 for 40–49 year olds is the highest of any age group, reflecting career seniority and accumulated experience. Workers in management, professional, and technical roles often see their largest salary step-changes in their early-to-mid 40s as they reach senior or leadership positions.
The 90th percentile of £80,000 is where additional income tax relief restrictions begin to matter — pension contributions above £60,000/year are restricted, and the Personal Allowance phases out between £100,000–£125,140.
A worked example: A 44-year-old marketing director earning £75,000 is in the top 10% for their age group nationally. A 44-year-old school teacher at £45,000 (upper pay range) is near the 55th percentile — slightly above average for their age.
Ages 50–59
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | ~£20,500 |
| 25th | ~£28,000 |
| 50th (median) | ~£38,000 |
| 75th | ~£56,000 |
| 90th | ~£74,000 |
Median earnings decline slightly from the 40–49 peak. This reflects two competing forces: some high earners in this bracket are at their career peak and earn more than ever, while others move to less intensive roles, shift part-time, or leave high-pressure positions. The 50s is also when early retirement begins to thin the employed population — those who leave work early are no longer counted in ASHE earnings data, which biases the median upward slightly.
Ages 60–65
| Percentile | Annual Gross Salary |
|---|---|
| 25th | ~£22,000 |
| 50th (median) | ~£32,000 |
| 75th | ~£48,000 |
| 90th | ~£65,000 |
Earnings fall more sharply in this group as part-time work, phased retirement, and reduced hours become more common. The State Pension age is 66 for both men and women as of 2026. Workers who continue in full-time employment past 60 are increasingly a higher-skill, higher-paid group — pulling the upper percentiles up while the median reflects the broader move toward flexible and part-time work.
UK Earnings Growth by Age: Lifetime Trajectory
| Age Group | Median Full-Time Salary | Earnings vs 25-Year-Old |
|---|---|---|
| 22–25 | ~£25,000 | Baseline |
| 30 | ~£33,000 | +32% |
| 35 | ~£38,000 | +52% |
| 40 | ~£42,500 | +70% |
| 45 | ~£43,000 | +72% |
| 50 | ~£40,000 | +60% |
| 55 | ~£37,000 | +48% |
| 60 | ~£32,000 | +28% |
The typical UK worker sees real wage growth of roughly 70–72% from their early career to peak earnings in their mid-40s. This is lower than the US equivalent (where career earnings peaks are higher in absolute terms) but broadly comparable to Canada and Australia.
Gender Pay Gap by Age
The UK gender pay gap is not uniform across age groups. For workers in their 20s, the gap is relatively small (approximately 4–6%). It widens significantly in the 30s and 40s — often attributed to the impact of career breaks and part-time work associated with childcare, which affects women’s earnings more than men’s. By the 40s, the full-time gender pay gap is approximately 12–15%.
This pattern reinforces why age-group comparisons within gender are often more meaningful for women than comparisons to the overall age-group median, which is male-weighted in higher-paying sectors.
How Does Your Age-Adjusted Income Rank?
If your gross salary is:
- Below the 25th percentile for your age: your earnings are in the lower quarter for your peer group
- At or above the 50th percentile: you are earning at or above average for your age group
- At or above the 75th percentile: you are in the top quarter earner for your age — comfortably above average
- At or above the 90th percentile: you are in the top 10% of earners for your age group
Use the UK income percentile calculator to find your exact percentile, or browse the UK average salary guide for national benchmarks.
Related Articles
- UK Income Percentile Calculator
- Average Salary in the UK
- Is £50,000 a Good Salary in the UK?
- Average Net Worth by Age in the UK
Sources
- ONS. “Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 2025.” ons.gov.uk
- HMRC. “Distribution of income and tax by age range and gender.” gov.uk
- ONS. “EMP04: Employment by occupation.” ons.gov.uk
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