UK Salary by Profession 2026/27

Typical gross salary, median pay and take-home after tax for 32+ UK professions. Each page covers pay drivers, career progression and tax-band context based on ONS ASHE and published sector pay scales.

Browse 32 UK professions

Ordered by typical median salary, lowest to highest. Click any card to see the full breakdown.

NHS Band 2 Healthcare Assistant
Median £25,272 · range £25,272–£25,272

Band 2 covers healthcare assistants, porters and ward clerks at a flat 2026/27 Agenda for Change rate of £25,272 (no spine progression). London weighting and unsocial-hours enhancements add on top.
NHS Band 3 Senior HCA
Median £26,618 · range £25,760–£27,476

Band 3 covers senior healthcare assistants, clinical support workers and pharmacy technicians at the trainee end. 2026/27 AfC pay is £25,760-£27,476 across a 2-year progression.
NHS Band 4 Assistant Practitioner
Median £29,775 · range £28,392–£31,157

Band 4 covers Assistant Practitioners, Nursing Associates and pharmacy technicians at the registered end. 2026/27 AfC pay is £28,392-£31,157 across a 3-year progression.
Civil Service Executive Officer (EO)
Median £32,000 · range £28,000–£38,000

EO is the standard mid-early-career grade across most Whitehall departments. Pay varies by department but typical £28–34k national, £32–38k London (2024/25 pay remit awards).
Graduate Teacher (NQT / ECT)
Median £32,916 · range £32,916–£35,000

First-year teacher pay in England follows STPCD. Rest-of-England Main Scale M1 is £32,916 (STPCD 2025, in force for 2026/27) with large premia in London. Under the Early Career Framework it's a two-year induction programme.
Junior / Part-Qualified Accountant
Median £34,000 · range £28,000–£42,000

Junior accountants span AAT-trained finance assistants to ACA Year 3 trainees. Pay varies £28–42k depending on qualification stage and whether studying (with paid exam time and fees).
Junior Software Engineer
Median £35,000 · range £28,000–£48,000

Entry-level software engineering pay varies wildly by employer type. UK-headquartered corporates pay £28–38k outside London; London-based fintech/scale-ups £40–55k; US tech in London £60k+.
NHS Band 5 Nurse
Median £35,558 · range £32,073–£39,043

Band 5 is the entry grade for a registered nurse. 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay is £32,073–£39,043 across three spine points; after tax, NI and pension the actual take-home is materially different.
Police Constable
Median £38,000 · range £30,000–£46,000

England & Wales police constable pay (2024 uplift): starter £29,907 rest-of-England/Wales; London Met adds £2,841. Progression over 7 years to £46,044. Scottish and NI rates close but distinct.
Junior Doctor (F1)
Median £41,635 · range £38,831–£44,439

F1 is the first year of medical foundation training. Basic pay £38,831 (England, BMA 2016 contract nodal point 1, in force for 2026/27); typical take-home including banding/unsocial-hours is 20-40% higher than basic.
Civil Service Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Median £42,000 · range £35,000–£50,000

HEO covers deputy-team-lead policy officers, technical specialists, middle managers. Pay range £35–45k national, £40–50k London depending on department (2024/25).
NHS Band 6 Specialist Nurse
Median £44,038 · range £39,959–£48,117

Band 6 is the first genuinely specialist grade — team leaders, practice nurses, community specialists, and clinical educators. Pay ranges £39,959–£48,117 (Agenda for Change 2026/27).
Data Analyst
Median £45,000 · range £30,000–£80,000

Data analyst is a broad category — from reporting/BI analyst through product analyst through data scientist. Typical UK range £30–50k junior/mid, £55–80k senior, £80–120k lead/principal.
Experienced Teacher (UPS)
Median £49,232 · range £47,472–£51,048

Teachers passing the performance threshold move to the Upper Pay Scale (UPS1–UPS3). Rest-of-England range £47,472-£51,048 (STPCD 2025, in force for 2026/27). Classroom teachers without TLR or leadership responsibilities.
Mid-Level Software Engineer
Median £52,000 · range £42,000–£65,000

Mid-level SWE (2–5 years experience) — typical UK private-sector £42–55k outside London, £55–75k London scale-ups, £85–120k at US tech. Near or at the £50,270 higher-rate threshold for most UK-average roles.
ST1-2 Specialty Trainee Doctor
Median £52,656 · range £52,656–£52,656

ST1-2 is the first two years of specialty training after foundation. Basic pay £52,656 (BMA 2016 contract nodal point 3, England); rota uplifts (nights, weekends, on-call) typically add 20-40% on top.
NHS Band 7 Advanced Nurse
Median £52,951 · range £49,387–£56,515

Band 7 covers senior clinical roles — Advanced Nurse Practitioners, ward sisters, team leads, clinical educators. Pay range £49,387–£56,515 (Agenda for Change 2026/27).
Junior Solicitor (NQ)
Median £55,000 · range £35,000–£150,000

Solicitor pay in the UK is a three-tier market: high-street and legal aid £28–40k, regional commercial £40–55k, City commercial £80–110k, and US firms in London £130,000+ NQ.
NHS Band 8a Manager
Median £61,139 · range £57,528–£64,750

Band 8a covers service managers, matrons, senior AHPs and clinical leads with budget and people responsibility. Pay £57,528–£64,750 (2026/27 AfC).
Civil Service Grade 7
Median £63,000 · range £55,000–£73,000

Grade 7 is the first genuinely senior policy grade — branch head, team lead, senior analyst. Pay range £55–73k national, £60–80k in Treasury/CO (2024/25).
ST3-5 Specialty Trainee Doctor
Median £65,048 · range £65,048–£65,048

ST3-5 covers mid-specialty training, typically registrar grade. Basic pay £65,048 (BMA 2016 contract nodal point 4, England) plus rota uplifts.
Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA Qualified)
Median £68,000 · range £48,000–£130,000

Newly-qualified ACAs in Big 4 London earn £55–65k in 2024; regional firms £45–55k. Progression to manager (3–5 yrs PQ): £65–85k. Senior manager / director (5-10 yrs): £90–170k.
NHS Band 8b Directorate Manager
Median £71,975 · range £66,582–£77,368

Band 8b covers directorate-level managers, senior consultant AHPs and assistant directors. 2026/27 AfC pay £66,582-£77,368 across entry, mid (year 2) and top (year 5).
Deputy Headteacher
Median £72,000 · range £60,000–£90,000

Deputy heads sit on the Leadership Pay Range. The 2026/27 statutory minimum for any Leadership post is £51,773 (RoE) rising to £143,796 at the top of the range; schools set local ranges within that span based on size/ISR group. Inner London the statutory range is £61,554-£153,490. Specific pay depends on school size, ISR group and governing-body award.
Senior Software Engineer
Median £72,000 · range £58,000–£85,000

Senior SWE (5+ years experience, technical ownership, mentoring) typical range £58–85k UK private-sector, £90–140k+ at London scale-ups or US tech London offices. Firmly into the 40% tax band.
ST6-8 Senior Specialty Trainee
Median £73,992 · range £73,992–£73,992

ST6-8 covers the final years of specialty training (senior registrar grade in many specialties). Basic pay £73,992 (BMA 2016 contract nodal point 5, England).
NHS Band 8c Senior Manager
Median £85,557 · range £79,504–£91,609

Band 8c covers senior service managers, deputy chief AHPs and consultant clinicians on the managerial track. 2026/27 AfC pay £79,504-£91,609.
Engineering Manager
Median £95,000 · range £75,000–£130,000

Engineering managers (6-12 direct reports, team responsibility) typically earn £75–120k UK private-sector, £120–200k+ at US-HQ tech firms in London. Typically in 40% tax band with PA-taper risk above £100k.
NHS Band 8d Deputy Director
Median £101,585 · range £94,356–£108,814

Band 8d covers deputy directors, lead consultants and head-of-department roles. 2026/27 AfC pay £94,356-£108,814 - straddles the £100,000 personal allowance taper.
Senior Solicitor (5+ PQE)
Median £110,000 · range £60,000–£280,000

Senior solicitors (5+ PQE, pre-partner) typical pay: regional £60–85k, Magic Circle £120–170k, US London £210–280k+. Partnership track at City firms from 7–10 PQE.
NHS Band 9 Director
Median £121,283 · range £112,782–£129,783

Band 9 covers executive directors, chief AHPs and clinical executives. 2026/27 AfC pay £112,782-£129,783 - entirely inside the personal-allowance taper, with the top of the band approaching the £125,140 additional-rate threshold.
Senior NHS Consultant
Median £127,602 · range £109,725–£180,000

Consultant is the senior career grade post-CCT. NHS England 2026/27 pay range £109,725-£145,478 (BMA 2003 contract), with progression across 5 thresholds over 14 years. London, private practice and Clinical Excellence Awards add substantially.

How we compiled these figures

Salary ranges are drawn from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) Table 14 — occupational pay by SOC 2020 code — cross-checked against published sector pay scales where available: NHS Agenda for Change, STPCD teacher pay, Civil Service pay bands, Police Federation pay scales and law firm published NQ bands. Ranges are typical mid-career full-time figures and do not reflect all variations by region, employer, shift patterns or experience.

Take-home figures on each page use our same methodology as the salary calculator — HMRC-verified for 2026/27 — with the relevant pension contribution rate applied (NHS 9.8–12.5%, Teachers Pension 9.1–11.3%, Civil Service alpha 4.6–8.05%, Police Pension 12.44%, private-sector typical 5%).

In-depth profession landings

UK police officer pay 2026/27 - Constable to Chief Inspector scales, London weighting, Police Pension 2015.
UK junior doctor (resident doctor) pay 2026/27 - BMA F1 to ST6-8 nodal scales, banding supplements, NHS Pension 2015 tiered contributions.
UK NHS consultant doctor pay 2026/27 - 2003 Consultant Contract CT1 to CT5 scales, Programmed Activities, Clinical Excellence Awards, private practice and Annual Allowance taper.
UK GP (General Practitioner) pay 2026/27 - Salaried, Partner and Locum routes, GMS contract profit share, NHS Pension Practitioner Member route and AA taper exposure.
UK Dentist pay 2026/27 - NHS Associate UDA earnings, private fee revenue, Practice Principal profit share, Specialist routes and Hospital Consultant Dentist scales, NHS Pension Practitioner Member route.
UK Dental Hygienist pay 2026/27 - NHS practice employed pay, private clinic hourly and sessional rates, self-employed freelance day rates, NHS hospital Band 5 to 6 scales and senior London hygienist ranges, with NHS Pension 2015 and workplace auto-enrolment context.
UK Veterinary surgeon pay 2026/27 - PDP graduate through Practice Partner, RCVS Recognised Specialist Diploma route, locum day rates and corporate consolidation context across IVC Evidensia, CVS Group, Linnaeus, Medivet and VetPartners.
UK Veterinary Nurse pay 2026/27 - RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) scales from Student VN through Newly Qualified, Senior / Head Nurse, Practice Manager and Referral Specialist; locum day rates, Schedule 3 scope of practice and corporate consolidation context.
UK teacher pay 2026/27 - STPCD M1-M6 and UPS, four-area London weighting, Teachers Pension Scheme 2015.
UK Civil Service pay 2026/27 - AA to SCS4 grade ladder, London vs National split, alpha pension contributions.
UK NHS nurse pay 2026/27 - Agenda for Change Bands 5 to 8a, London HCAS weighting, NHS Pension 2015 tiered contributions, unsocial-hours Section 2.
UK Midwife pay 2026/27 - NHS Agenda for Change Bands 5 to 8a, HCAS London weighting, Continuity-of-Carer model, specialist tracks (fetal medicine, lactation, mental health, screening), Independent Midwife private fee structure and NHS Pension 2015 CARE context.
UK Pharmacist pay 2026/27 - Hospital NHS AfC Bands 6 to 8d, community chain vs independent, locum hourly rates, GP Practice pharmacist, industry routes, NHS Pension 2015 and AA taper.
UK Optometrist pay 2026/27 - High Street chain pay at Specsavers, Vision Express, Boots and Asda, independent practice, Hospital NHS AfC Bands 6 to 8a, domiciliary and locum day rates, Independent Prescriber premium and Specsavers Joint Venture Partner model.
UK Physiotherapist pay 2026/27 - NHS Agenda for Change Bands 5 to 8a, HCAS London weighting, private clinic and sports physio rates, independent sole-trader profit ranges and NHS Pension 2015 CARE context.
UK software engineer pay 2026/27 - Junior to Staff levels, London vs regional ranges, RSU vest taxation, salary-sacrifice optimisation.
UK data scientist pay 2026/27 - Junior to Director across Big Tech, HFT, Bank tier and scale-ups, AI/ML and LLM specialism premium, RSU vest taxation and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK DevOps Engineer pay 2026/27 - Junior to Director / VP Platform across Big Tech, FinTech, Bank tier and consultancy, AWS / GCP / Azure / CKA certification premium, SecOps / MLOps / Platform Engineering specialisation premium, contractor PSC vs umbrella after IR35 and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK ML Engineer pay 2026/27 - Junior to Director across Big Tech, HFT, research labs (DeepMind, OpenAI) and FinTech, LLM / GenAI specialism premium, RSU and PPU compensation, salary-sacrifice mitigation for top earners.
UK Cybersecurity Engineer pay 2026/27 - SOC Analyst to CISO ladder across FinTech, FAANG, Defence, Big 4 and boutique consultancy, CISSP / OSCP / CREST / GIAC certification premium, DV / SC clearance uplift, penetration testing day rates and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK engineer pay 2026/27 - Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace; Graduate through Director ranges, ECUK CEng chartered premium, sector pay across defence, nuclear, civil consulting and oil and gas.
UK architect pay 2026/27 - RIBA Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 and ARB registration pathway, Newly Qualified through Director ranges, practice tier impact across mega-practice, boutique, commercial multidisciplinary and public sector.
UK Quantity Surveyor pay 2026/27 - Graduate to Director across Contractor QS and PQS, RICS chartership (MRICS) premium, practice tier impact across Big consultancies, mid-tier and boutique, sector pay deltas across building, infrastructure, nuclear, defence and oil and gas.
UK Construction Site Manager pay 2026/27 - Assistant Site Manager to Construction Director ranges, SMSTS and CSCS Black card qualifications, NEBOSH and CIOB chartered (MCIOB) route, Tier 1 / Tier 2 / Tier 3 contractor pay differences and infrastructure / nuclear / defence sector premiums.
UK roofer pay 2026/27 - Apprentice through Foreman pay, NVQ L2 / L3 slating, tiling, flat-roof and heritage lead specialisms, working-at-height premium and engine-verified take-home for employed and self-employed routes.
UK solicitor pay 2026/27 - Trainee to Equity Partner across regional, Silver Circle, Magic Circle and US firms in London, PEP context, salary-sacrifice optimisation.
UK paralegal pay 2026/27 - Junior to Manager across regional firms, London commercial, Magic Circle and US firms, CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) route to Chartered Legal Executive (CLE), specialism premium in IP / Banking / Commercial and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap at Manager level.
UK barrister pay 2026/27 - Pupillage stipends by chambers tier, junior tenant fees by practice area, Senior Junior and Kings Counsel (KC) silk gross fees across commercial, chancery, crime, family and public law, with engine-verified take-home for Self Assessment, Class 4 NIC and VAT-registered self-employed barristers.
UK investment banker pay 2026/27 - Analyst through MD across Bulge Bracket, Elite Boutique and Mid-Market firms in London, base + bonus split, FCA deferral mechanics and additional-rate take-home.
UK accountant pay 2026/27 - ACA / ACCA / CIMA trainee through Equity Partner across Big 4, Top 10 and regional, plus industry FC / FD / CFO route.
UK commercial airline pilot pay 2026/27 - BA, Virgin, EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Loganair scales from First Officer Year 1 to Senior Widebody Captain, fATPL training ROI, BALPA context.
UK plumber pay 2026/27 - apprentice through Gas Safe specialist day rates, employed vs self-employed take-home, CIS sub-contractor deductions, van capital allowances and Limited company comparison.
UK electrician pay 2026/27 - JIB Apprentice through Foreman grades, EV chargepoint and solar PV specialist day rates, NICEIC / NAPIT scheme registration, employed vs self-employed take-home and Ltd company route.
UK HGV driver pay 2026/27 - Cat C and Cat C+E tiers, tramping subsistence and sleeper-cab night allowance, ADR specialist rates, agency umbrella vs PAYE vs PSC after the 2021 IR35 reform.
UK bus driver pay 2026/27 - PCV Cat D and Driver CPC, TfL contractor vs major regional groups vs council municipal operators, Sunday and night premium structure, engine-verified take-home for five scenarios.
UK train driver pay 2026/27 - ASLEF / RMT-bargained TOC tiers across regional, London, TfL Underground, Eurostar and freight, Rest Day Working uplift, Railway Pension Scheme defined-benefit context, engine-verified take-home for five scenarios.
UK carpenter pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 site carpenter through 2nd fix joiner, cabinet maker and heritage / restoration specialist day rates, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK bricklayer pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Trowel Occupations through senior gang leader and heritage / conservation specialist day rates, piecework brick pricing, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK plasterer pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Plastering through float-and-set, heritage lime plaster, K-rend / monocouche external rendering and decorative specialist day rates, m² piecework pricing, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK tiler pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Wall and Floor Tiling through natural stone, mosaic, large-format porcelain and wet-room tanking specialist day rates, m² piecework pricing, TTA Tiler Accreditation, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK glazier pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Fenestration Installation through domestic UPVC, shop-front aluminium, structural curtain wall and frameless glass, heritage and stained-glass specialist day rates, FENSA and CERTASS Competent Person Scheme registration, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK scaffolder pay 2026/27 - CISRS Trainee through Part 1, Part 2, Advanced Scaffolder, Scaffolding Supervisor and TG20:21 Inspector card grades, system scaffold (Layher, Cuplok, Plettac), industrial petrochemical CCNSG, North Sea offshore BOSIET / FOET and heritage day rates, CIS sub-contractor deductions, subsistence allowance tax treatment and Ltd company route.
UK nanny pay 2026/27 - CACHE Level 3 through Norland and Chiltern College Maternity Nanny credentials, live-in vs live-out economics, sole charge through senior nanny-housekeeper and newborn specialist tiers, the gross vs net salary trap, family PAYE employer obligations, Ofsted Voluntary Register and Tax-Free Childcare.
UK childminder income 2026/27 - Ofsted Early Years Register hourly fees, EYFS 1:6 / 1:12 ratios, Childminders Special Expenses simplified deduction (PACEY / HMRC agreed percentages), Tax-Free Childcare and 30 Hours Free Childcare, NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualification, self-employed sole trader tax with Class 4 NIC.
UK painter & decorator pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Painting and Decorating through heritage, decorative paint effects (marbling, graining, gilding) and intumescent fire-rated specialist day rates, PDA accreditation, CSCS card requirements, CIS sub-contractor deductions and Ltd company route.
UK driving instructor income 2026/27 - DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 1/2/3 qualification, regional vs London lesson rates, franchise vs independent economics, ORDIT instructor-trainer premium, intensive course operator income, dual-controls car capital allowances, self-employed sole trader tax with Class 4 NIC.
UK mortgage broker pay 2026/27 - CeMAP qualification pathway, employed adviser vs Appointed Representative network vs Directly Authorised economics, procuration fees (0.35-0.85% of loan) and broker fees (£500-£8,000), CeRER equity release specialism, FCA MCOB regulatory framework, Limited company director structuring and HNW specialist niche.
UK yoga instructor income 2026/27 - Yoga Alliance UK 200hr / 500hr RYT certification, regional vs London class fees, specialism premiums (Yoga Therapy C-IAYT, Iyengar UK, pre/post-natal CIPP), retreat operator economics, online platform monetisation, £1,000 trading allowance entry and Limited company structuring at £60k+ profit.
UK locksmith income 2026/27 - Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) Approved Locksmith certification, emergency call-out economics, automotive transponder / ECU specialist (ALA), safe locksmith (SAFED), insurance-panel referral relationships, DBS Enhanced Disclosure, van and specialist tool capital allowances, self-employed sole trader tax.
UK welder pay 2026/27 - NVQ Level 2 / 3 Welding through coded TIG / MIG / MMA specialist, 6G pipe welder, CSWIP Inspector and offshore platform North Sea contractor rates, EN ISO 9606 / ASME IX coding test costs, CIS sub-contractor deductions, offshore subsistence allowance tax treatment and Ltd company route.
UK care worker pay 2026/27 - NHS Healthcare Assistant Bands 2 to 4, social care National Living Wage anchor, sleep-in and live-in care economics, Health and Care worker visa context.
UK chef pay 2026/27 - Kitchen brigade ladder Commis through Executive Chef, restaurant tier pay deltas from pub to Michelin, Tronc and the Allocation of Tips Act 2023, working-time directive opt-out.
UK hairdresser pay 2026/27 - apprentice NVQ Level 2 through Master Stylist and Creative Director, employed salon vs self-employed chair-rental and salon-owner Ltd company routes, Tronc and tips treatment, engine-verified take-home.
UK personal trainer pay 2026/27 - CIMSPA Level 3 entry, gym chair-rental at PureGym / David Lloyd / Equinox tiers, self-employed sole trader and online coaching scaling routes, studio-owner Limited company structure with capital allowances on studio equipment.
UK photographer pay 2026/27 - photo assistant through commercial, wedding, fashion and editorial specialism day rates, employed in-house vs freelance sole trader vs studio-owner Limited company routes, equipment AIA capital allowances and stock-licensing income.
UK estate agent pay 2026/27 - Trainee Negotiator through Branch Manager and franchise Principal, commission-driven OTE model, firm tier impact across national chains, London prime, boutique and online hybrid, salary-sacrifice optimisation for the 60% trap.
UK marketing manager pay 2026/27 - Junior Executive through CMO across Agency, FTSE in-house, Tech scale-up, FMCG and B2B SaaS, CIM Chartered route, digital and AI specialisation premium, salary-sacrifice optimisation for the 60% trap.
UK project manager pay 2026/27 - Junior PM through PMO Director and Programme Director across Construction, IT, Financial Services, Public Sector, Consultancy and Pharma, PRINCE2 / PMP / APM / Agile certification premiums, contractor PSC vs umbrella post-IR35 and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK recruiter pay 2026/27 - Trainee Resourcer through Director across mega-agencies (Hays, Reed, PageGroup), mid-market boutiques, specialist firms, retained executive search at Korn Ferry and in-house TA, threshold vs open commission and NFI vs bag, salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK sales manager pay 2026/27 - SDR Manager through VP Sales and CRO across Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, FMCG, Pharma and Manufacturing, OTE structure with base + accelerator + spiff, EMEA / global quota uplifts, threshold-based commission caps and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.
UK UX / Product Designer pay 2026/27 - Junior to VP Design across London Big Tech, scale-ups (Monzo, Revolut, Wise, Octopus, Cleo), agencies (IDEO, Frog, AKQA, R/GA, Designit), FTSE in-house and consulting (Accenture Interactive, EY-Doberman, Deloitte Digital), AI / LLM specialism premium, RSU vest taxation and salary-sacrifice clearance of the 60% trap.

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