Is £35,000 a good salary in the UK? Here’s the complete breakdown.
The Quick Answer
£35,000 is a good salary that puts you comfortably above the median. You can live well in most of the UK and make meaningful progress on financial goals.
| Metric | £35,000 |
|---|---|
| vs. UK Median (£27,200) | +29% above |
| Income percentile | ~65th |
| Monthly take-home | £2,347 |
| Hourly equivalent | £16.83 |
How £35K Compares by Age
| Age Group | Median Salary | £35K vs. Median |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | £24,440 | +43% (excellent) |
| 22-29 | £32,292 | +8% (good) |
| 30-39 | £39,988 | -12% (slightly below) |
| 40-49 | £42,796 | -18% (below) |
Bottom line: £35K is excellent for under-30s, expected for early 30s, and below average for 40s+.
How £35K Compares by Region
| Region | Median Salary | £35K Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North East | £24,500 | Excellent (+43%) |
| Wales | £25,200 | Excellent (+39%) |
| Yorkshire | £25,700 | Excellent (+36%) |
| West Midlands | £26,400 | Very good (+33%) |
| Scotland | £27,900 | Very good (+25%) |
| South East | £29,800 | Good (+17%) |
| London | £36,600 | Average (-4%) |
Monthly Budget on £35K
Take-home pay: £2,347/month
| Category | Budget | % |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed nice area) | £800 | 34% |
| Bills & Council Tax | £235 | 10% |
| Food & Groceries | £300 | 13% |
| Transport | £180 | 8% |
| Phone & Internet | £50 | 2% |
| Savings | £332 | 14% |
| Discretionary | £450 | 19% |
| Total | £2,347 | 100% |
Can You Afford Key Life Goals?
| Goal | Achievable on £35K? |
|---|---|
| Rent alone (most UK) | Comfortably |
| Rent alone (London) | Yes, but stretched |
| Build 6-month emergency fund | Yes, in ~2 years |
| Quality used car | Yes |
| House deposit (£25K) | ~7 years at 14% saving rate |
| Regular holidays | Yes |
| Invest for retirement | Yes, with discipline |
Salary Progression From £35K
| Years Experience | Typical Next Step |
|---|---|
| Entry level → 3 years | £35K → £40K |
| Mid-level → Senior | £35K → £45-55K |
| Management path | £35K → £50-70K |
| Specialist/Technical | £35K → £55-80K |
The Verdict
£35,000 is:
- ✅ Comfortably above median
- ✅ Top third of earners
- ✅ Good quality of life most areas
- ✅ Allows solid saving
- ⚠️ Only average for London
- ⚠️ Below typical for 35+ age group
This salary suits: Experienced professionals in their 20s-early 30s, mid-level roles, or those in lower cost-of-living regions.
