Here’s an overview of typical UK salaries (gross, before tax) for professional jobs as well as an overview of how income tax and National Insurance (NIC) works, to help you plan your finances if planning to relocate to the UK.
Typical UK Salaries by Profession (2025–26 estimates).
| Job / Field | Typical Salary (GBP per year) |
| Entry-level / Junior roles | £20,000 – £30,000 |
| Accountant | £30,000 – £42,500 |
| Engineer (various) | £45,000 – £53,000+ |
| Software / IT roles | £40,000 – £55,000+ |
| Teacher (state) | £32,000 – £37,000+ |
| Nurse | £31,000 |
| Doctor / GP / Medical Specialist | £60,000 – £95,000+ |
| Senior roles (managers, directors) | £60,000 – £100,000+ |
| High-end specialist (e.g., finance director, senior IT) | £80,000 – £120,000+ |
These figures are approximate gross annual salaries before tax. They can vary widely by experience level, industry, city (London often pays more), and employer size.
UK Income Tax & National Insurance (2025/26)
When you relocate and start earning, your gross salary isn’t what ends up in your bank account — income tax and National Insurance (NIC) are deducted from your pay.
Income Tax (for England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
These are the main bands for 2025/26:
- Personal Allowance: £12,570 tax-free.
- Basic Rate: 20% on earnings £12,571–£50,270.
- Higher Rate: 40% on earnings £50,271–£125,140.
- Additional Rate: 45% on earnings above £125,140.
The personal allowance reduces (tapers away) once you earn over £100,000 — meaning you lose £1 of allowance for every £2 above that.
If you move to Scotland has slightly different tax bands and rates (but the same personal allowance).
National Insurance Contributions (NIC)
NIC is another payroll deduction that pays toward state benefits like the state pension.
- Employees (Class 1):
- 8% on earnings between about £12,570 and £50,270.
- 2% on earnings above £50,270.
- Employers also pay NICs (not deducted from your salary directly but increases employer costs).
- Self-employed people pay NICs differently (Class 2 and Class 4 rates).
Take-Home Example:
Below are examples to illustrate what you might take home after income tax + NIC, before pensions/benefits:
- £40,000 gross: ≈ £32,000 take-home per year (~£2,600 per month) after tax & NIC.
- £50,000 gross: After higher tax contributions kick in on the additional portion, take-home typically around £37,000–£38,000 — varies by pension and other factors.
- £75,000 gross: Take-home falls proportionally due to higher rates coming in, often ~£48,000 net.
These are approximate examples — the actual figure depends on pension contributions, student loan repayments, and benefits.
