Answers · UK 2025/26
Is £30,000 a good salary in the UK?
£30,000 is slightly above the UK median salary (~£28,000) and comfortable in many regions outside London. After tax it leaves about £25,120 a year (£2,093/month). In London, where average rents exceed £2,000/month for a one-bed, it can feel tight; in the North, Midlands or Wales it goes much further.
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Context: the UK median full-time salary for 2024/25 is around £34,963 (ONS ASHE), so £30,000 sits just below the national median. After Income Tax and NI for 2025/26 you take home approximately £25,120 a year or £2,093 a month — see the full breakdown on the £30,000 after-tax page. Regional purchasing power varies enormously. In cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff or Belfast £30,000 is a solid income that can comfortably cover rent, bills and some saving. In London or the South-East it can be stretched: average one-bed rent in London exceeds £2,000/month in 2025, leaving very little after other essentials. Career stage also matters — £30,000 is high for a graduate entry role and average for a skilled trade or admin position. The Real Living Wage in London is £13.85/hr (2025/26), which annualises to ~£27,170 full-time, so £30,000 is above a living wage benchmark in the capital even if it does not feel comfortable there.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.