Average Earnings: Key Economic Indicators

In April 2024 median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £728, up from £687 in April 2023. Adjusted for inflation, median earnings for full-time employees increased by 3.5%.

Timelier but less detailed data show average weekly earnings for all employees in Great Britain increased by 4.8% excluding bonuses in the three months to September 2024 compared with the previous year. Average weekly pay including bonuses increased by 4.3%.

Inflation as measured by the CPI averaged 2.1% over the same period. After adjusting for inflation, average pay excluding bonuses was 2.7% higher than the previous year and average pay including bonuses was 2.3% higher.

Trends by Sector

Average weekly total pay (including bonuses) rose by 4.5% in the private sector and by 3.5% in the public sector in the three months to September 2024 compared with the year before.

Pay Levels

Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £18.64 for full-time employees at April 2024: £19.24 for men working full-time and £17.88 for women.  

Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £13.26 for part-time employees; £13.00 for men and £13.40 for women. Women are more likely than men to work part-time. The median is the point at which half earn more and half earn less.

This briefing is part of our Economic Indicators series. Visit the main Economic Indicators page to see data on other parts of the economy.