What is a poor salary in the UK?

A low salary in the UK depends on context, but generally, it's considered below 60% of the median income (around £21,000-£29,000 for singles, varying by location/household) or under £28,000-£30,500 annually for a single person to meet basic needs, while jobs paying below two-thirds of median hourly rates (around £11.39/hour in 2024) are "low-paid" by OECD standards, with the National Living Wage setting the legal minimum.

What wage is considered poor in the UK?

Households with an income of less than £296 a week are considered to be in relative low income, according to the latest Government statistics. The report shows that the mean UK household income is £594 per week. However, this is slightly skewed due to higher incomes.

What is considered low income in the UK?

A broad definition of low household income, as suggested by the Government, applies to annual earnings less than 60% of the median UK household income. For London, this cut-off point is approximately £21,000[75]. As of 2012, 41% of Londoners can be classed as having a low annual household income of below £20,0001[2].

Am I poor if I make 50k a year?

An annual salary of $50,000 is considered a middle-class income, and can be a comfortable wage for a recent graduate or a person starting a new career. A single person may not be able to live large in some areas of the country, but that doesn't mean they can't live comfortably elsewhere.

What is a top 10% salary in the UK?

The top 10% of earners in the UK generally start around £60,000 to £77,000+ annually, depending on the data source and year, with thresholds around £59,200 (2023 HMRC) to £76,900 (2025 average) for full-time earnings, reflecting significant income growth and variation by age, profession (like lawyers, consultants, doctors, financiers), and location (London higher).

why are british wages so low?

What percentage of the UK earns over 30k?

The YouGov survey suggests only 21% of individuals in work take home £30,000 or more a year, and only a further 24% expect to earn that much in the future. Some 7% of Britons think they will never earn £15,000 a year, 14% think they will never earn £20,000, and 21% think they will never earn £25,000.

What is a low earner in the UK?

Low pay: an introduction

Low pay is defined every year in relation to the cost of living by the Minimum Income Standard Project. By their calculations, for a single person household anything less than £28,000 a year, before tax, counts as low pay.

What percentage of British are poor?

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), reported that in 2021, about 1 in 5 ( 20%) of people in the UK lived in poverty. In their report, the JRF said that over the last 25 years, children have had the highest poverty rates.

What is a very low salary?

A widely used federal guideline defines low income as $15,650 annually for one person and $32,150 for a family of four in 2025.

What counts as poverty in the UK?

The UK poverty line - Households are considered to be below the UK poverty line if their income is below 60% of the median household income after housing costs for that year.

What is well off in the UK?

Despite being in the top 4% of UK earners, only one in 10 people earning £100,000 or more would describe themselves as 'wealthy', while only 1% of the UK population identify as such. High earners also place the threshold for wealth much higher, citing £724,000 as the income it takes to be considered wealthy.

Am I poor if I make 100k a year?

For most individuals and small families, $100,000 is a good salary and well above both the median individual and household income. Cost of living and family size can affect how far $100,000 will go, but generally speaking, you can live comfortably on $100,000 a year.

How much should I be earning at 30?

There's no single "right" salary for a 30-year-old; it varies greatly by location (like high-cost London vs. other areas), industry, and personal goals, but general UK figures suggest median salaries for ages 30-39 are around £41,000-£45,000, with top earners reaching £70,000+, while US figures show a wide range, with many aiming for higher figures like $100k+ but averages often lower. Your earnings depend heavily on your career path, skills, and cost of living, with savings targets often aiming for one year's salary by this age. 

What professions are middle class in the UK?

Common Middle-Class Professions

Stereotypically, middle-class occupations include teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Core values associated with the middle class include homeownership, financial stability, quality education, and leisure activities such as holidays and shopping.