Is £30,000 a good salary in the UK? Here’s the complete analysis.
The Quick Answer
£30,000 is just below the UK median (about the 43rd percentile of all employee jobs) and provides comfortable living in much of the UK. It’s a solid benchmark for experienced workers outside London.
| Metric | £30,000 |
|---|---|
| vs. UK median, all employee jobs (£32,890, April 2025) | -9% below |
| Percentile, all UK employee jobs | ~43rd |
| Monthly take-home | £2,093 |
| Hourly equivalent | £14.42 |
How £30K Compares by Age
| Age Group | Full-time median, April 2025 | £30K vs. Median |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | £23,596 | +27% (well above) |
| 22-29 | £32,347 | -7% (below) |
| 30-39 | £40,668 | -26% (well below) |
| 40-49 | £44,244 | -32% (well below) |
Bottom line: £30K is well above the full-time median for 18-21, a little below it for 22-29, and well below it from 30 onward.
How £30K Compares by Region
ONS publishes median pay for each UK region and nation in its Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings tables. Pay and living costs both vary by area, so how far £30,000 goes depends on where you live.
Monthly Budget on £30K
Take-home pay: £2,093/month
| Category | Budget | % |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | £700 | 33% |
| Bills & Council Tax | £220 | 11% |
| Food & Groceries | £270 | 13% |
| Transport | £160 | 8% |
| Phone & Internet | £50 | 2% |
| Savings | £293 | 14% |
| Discretionary | £400 | 19% |
| Total | £2,093 | 100% |
Can You Afford Key Life Goals?
| Goal | Achievable on £30K? |
|---|---|
| Rent alone (most UK) | Yes |
| Rent alone (London) | Difficult — flatshare better |
| Build emergency fund | Yes |
| Own a reliable car | Yes |
| Save for house deposit | Yes, slowly at this budget |
| Holiday abroad annually | Yes, budget-friendly |
| Comfortable retirement | Yes, with consistent saving |
The Verdict
£30,000 is:
- ⚠️ Just below the all-jobs median (about the 43rd percentile)
- ✅ Comfortable living outside London
- ✅ Allows meaningful saving
- ⚠️ Tight for London solo living
- ⚠️ Below the full-time median for workers aged 30+
This salary suits: Workers a few years into their careers, those in lower cost-of-living areas, or people prioritizing work-life balance.
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