UK average salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is the UK average salary?

The UK average salary is a phrase that usually refers to the median weekly earnings for full-time employees, as published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In April 2026, that figure was £811.20 per week – up 5.8% from £766.60 a year earlier. For all employees (including part-time), the median was lower, at about £682 per week. The ONS also reports median hourly earnings of £20.81 for full-time workers.

These numbers are a snapshot of pay in the UK, but they are in British pounds. To compare them with Australian salaries, you need to convert them using a current exchange rate. As of late 2026, the rate has been around 1.85 to 2.00 Australian dollars per pound. For a rough idea, at 1.90 the UK full-time median annual salary of £42,182 (811.20 × 52) becomes about AUD 80,146.

How does the UK average salary sit on the Australian salary index?

The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

Using the converted figure of AUD 80,146, the index would be:

80,146 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 74.0

That means the typical UK full-time worker earns about 74% of the Australian benchmark. It sits below the national line, but above the Australian national minimum wage (index 48.2) and above many award rates in industries like retail (index 75.9) and accommodation and food services (index 72.5) industries.

Keep in mind this is an estimate. The exchange rate changes daily, and the UK figure is a median – half of full-time workers earn less. Also, the Australian index uses ordinary-time earnings, which exclude overtime and bonuses. If you include total remuneration, the gap may be slightly different.

What does this mean for Australian workers?

If you are considering moving to the UK or comparing job offers, the UK average salary gives a starting point. But a direct number comparison is not enough. You also need to account for:

• Cost of living: Housing, transport, and groceries can be very different between cities like London and Sydney.
• Tax: The UK has a different tax system. In Australia, resident tax for 2026–27 starts at 0% up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. The UK has a personal allowance of £12,570, then 20% basic rate, 40% higher rate, and 45% additional rate.
• Superannuation: Australian employers must pay 12% super from July 2026, on top of your salary. The UK has a mandatory employer pension contribution of at least 3% (auto-enrolment).
• Awards and conditions: Australian workers are often covered by modern awards that set minimum pay rates, overtime, and penalty rates. The UK has a National Living Wage (£11.44 per hour from April 2026 for workers aged 21 and over) but fewer industry-specific awards.

For a more useful comparison, look at the Salary Index for your occupation or industry. For example, a professional in Australia (index 114.7) earns well above the national line, while a retail worker (index 75.9) is closer to the UK median.

Where to find more information

• Salary Index – see how any salary compares to the national line.
• Pay guides – award rates and minimum wages for Australian industries.
• States – see how earnings vary across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and other states.
• How the index works – the full methodology behind the 100 benchmark.

The UK average salary is a useful reference, but it is not a benchmark for Australian pay. Use local data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work Ombudsman to understand what you should be earning here.