Is £30,000 a Good Salary in the UK? Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

Is £30,000 a Good Salary in the UK? Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

If you're asking "is 30k a good salary uk", the answer depends on your age, occupation, location, and what you're comparing it to. A £30,000 annual salary is a common benchmark for early-career roles, but understanding its real value means looking at hourly rates, weekly pay, and take-home amounts after deductions.

Hourly Rate: What Does £30,000 Work Out to Per Hour?

To find the hourly equivalent, divide £30,000 by the number of hours you work in a year. For a standard 37.5-hour week (common in many office and public sector roles) with 52 weeks paid, that's 1,950 hours. £30,000 ÷ 1,950 = approximately £15.38 per hour. If you work a 40-hour week, the hourly rate drops to about £14.42. Compare this to the current National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over, which is £12.71 per hour (as per our UK Minimum Wage page). So £30,000 pays well above the statutory minimum for a full-time worker.

However, many jobs advertise salaries annually, not hourly. It's important to check your contracted hours and any overtime or shift premiums. A £30,000 salary might mean a lower hourly rate if you're expected to work long hours unpaid.

Weekly Pay: How £30,000 Translates to Your Pocket

The ONS reports median weekly earnings for full-time employees were £766.60 in April 2025. A £30,000 annual salary divided by 52 weeks gives £576.92 per week gross. That's about £190 less than the median weekly pay. So on a weekly basis, £30k is below the national average for full-time workers.

But weekly pay doesn't tell the full story. Many part-time or flexible workers earn less per week but may have a higher hourly rate. And your take-home weekly amount after tax and National Insurance will be lower.

Annual Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Gross annual salary of £30,000 sounds like £2,500 per month, but deductions reduce that significantly. For the 2026/27 tax year, with no student loan or pension contributions, your take-home is approximately £25,120 per year (£2,093 per month). That's after income tax of £3,486 and National Insurance of £1,394.

If you contribute 5% to a workplace pension (auto-enrolment), your take-home drops to around £23,920 per year (£1,993 per month), but your employer adds at least 3% on top. With a Plan 5 student loan, take-home falls further to about £22,632 per year (£1,886 per month). These figures are based on standard tax codes and assume you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Scottish tax rates differ slightly.

How Does £30,000 Compare to UK Medians?

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2025) shows median full-time annual earnings of £39,039. That's nearly £10,000 more than £30k. For workers aged 22–29, the median was £32,347. So £30,000 is about £2,300 below the typical wage for that age band. It's a solid starting salary but not above average for your peer group.

For context, the National Living Wage for a 21+ year old working 37.5 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, would give an annual salary of about £24,784 (based on £12.71/hr). So £30,000 is about £5,200 above the minimum wage floor. That puts it in a comfortable position for many entry-level roles.

Is £30,000 a Good Salary for Your Career Stage?

• Graduates and first jobs: £30,000 is a strong offer. Many graduate schemes range from £24,000 to £32,000, so £30k sits near the top end. It's a good salary for a 22-year-old starting out.
• Early career (2–5 years): Still decent, but you should expect progression. In sectors like tech, finance, and professional services, salaries can rise to £40,000–£50,000 within a few years.
• Mid-career (30s and 40s): £30,000 is below the all-age median and likely below par for experienced professionals. The ONS data shows median earnings rise with age, peaking in the 40s.
• London and South East: £30,000 goes less far due to higher housing costs. It's still a livable wage but may require careful budgeting.

Regional Variations

The ONS notes that Northern Ireland saw the highest earnings growth in 2025, but median earnings vary widely by region. In London, median full-time earnings are significantly higher than the UK average, so £30,000 is below the London median. In the North East or Wales, £30,000 might be closer to the local median.

The Bottom Line

So, is 30k a good salary uk? For a first job or early career role, yes — it's a solid, above-minimum wage that offers a comfortable lifestyle in most areas outside London. But it's below the national median for full-time workers and below the median for your age group if you're in your mid-20s. The key is to consider your personal circumstances: your contracted hours, deductions, and local cost of living.

For more detailed comparisons, see our pay guides and pay data pages.