Average Earnings: Key Economic Indicators

In April 2023 median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £682, up from £642 in April 2022. Adjusted for inflation, median earnings for full-time employees decreased by 2.3%.

Timelier but less detailed data show average weekly earnings for all employees in Great Britain increased by 7.7% excluding bonuses in the three months to September 2023 compared with the previous year. Average weekly pay including bonuses increased by 7.9%.

Inflation as measured by the CPI averaged 6.7% over the same period. After adjusting for inflation, average pay excluding bonuses was 1.0% higher than the previous year and average pay including bonuses was 1.1% higher.

Trends by Sector

Average weekly total pay (including bonuses) rose by 7.7% in the private sector and by 8.6% in the public sector in the three months to September 2023 compared with the year before.

Pay Levels

Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £17.40 for full-time employees at April 2023: £18.02 for men working full-time and £16.64 for women.  

Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £12.07 for part-time employees; £11.83 for men and £12.22 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.