Whether £30,000 is a “good” salary depends heavily on your age, location, and life stage. Here’s how it compares across different age groups in the UK.
£30k vs UK Median Salary by Age
| Age Group | Median Full-Time Salary | £30k vs Median |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | ~£20,000-£22,000 | Well above |
| 22-29 | ~£27,000-£29,000 | Above average |
| 30-39 | ~£33,000-£36,000 | Slightly below |
| 40-49 | ~£35,000-£38,000 | Below average |
| 50-59 | ~£34,000-£36,000 | Below average |
| 60+ | ~£30,000-£33,000 | Around median |
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, adjusted for 2025/26. Figures represent full-time employees.
In Your 20s — £30k Is Good
At this stage, £30k puts you ahead of most of your peers.
Age 21-24
You’re earning well above the median for your age. Most people this age earn £20,000-£26,000. Key priorities:
- Build an emergency fund (3 months’ expenses)
- Start workplace pension contributions
- Consider opening a Lifetime ISA (up to £4,000/year with 25% government bonus)
Age 25-29
Still above the age group median. You’re in a solid position. Key priorities:
- If saving for a house, a LISA gives you a £1,000/year bonus
- Salary progression should be a focus — this is when career moves pay off most
- Pay attention to pension auto-enrolment (minimum 5% employee, 3% employer)
Take-Home at £30k in Your 20s
| Scenario | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|
| No student loan | ~£2,005 |
| Plan 2 student loan | ~£1,967 |
| Plan 5 student loan | ~£1,985 |
In Your 30s — £30k Is Average to Below
This is peak career-building time. £30k is manageable but you may feel the squeeze.
Age 30-34
Slightly below median. Many people in their early 30s earn £30,000-£40,000. If you’re not progressing, consider:
- Changing employers (average 10-20% salary increase when switching)
- Upskilling — professional qualifications can add £5,000-£15,000
- Sector change — some sectors pay significantly more for similar skills
Age 35-39
Below median. Family costs often increase at this stage. A £30k salary supports:
- Single person: Comfortable in most areas outside London/South East
- Couple (dual income): Good combined with a partner’s salary
- Single parent: Tight — may qualify for Universal Credit top-up and Child Benefit
What £30k Affords at 30-39
| Expense | Monthly Cost | % of £2,005 Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, outside London) | £600-£800 | 30-40% |
| Mortgage (£120k, 25yr, 4.5%) | ~£667 | 33% |
| Council tax (Band B) | £120-£150 | 6-7% |
| Food | £200-£300 | 10-15% |
| Transport | £100-£200 | 5-10% |
| Bills (energy, phone, broadband) | £150-£200 | 7-10% |
| Remaining | £255-£735 | 13-37% |
In Your 40s — £30k Is Below Average
Most 40-somethings are at or near peak earnings.
Age 40-49
Below the median of £35,000-£38,000. However, context matters:
- If you’re in a sector with limited progression (retail, hospitality, care), £30k may be relatively strong
- If your mortgage was taken when rates were lower, housing costs may be manageable
- If you’re supporting children, you’ll likely feel squeezed
Mortgage Affordability at 40 on £30k
| Scenario | What You Can Borrow |
|---|---|
| Sole application (4.5x) | £135,000 |
| With £20k deposit | Property up to £155,000 |
| Joint with partner (£25k) | £247,500 (on £55k combined) |
£135,000 buys a property in many areas of the North, Midlands, Wales, and Scotland, but not London or much of the South East.
In Your 50s — £30k Depends on Context
Your financial picture at 50 depends heavily on earlier decisions — mortgage status, pension pot, and savings.
Age 50-59
| Scenario | Comfort Level on £30k |
|---|---|
| Mortgage paid off | Very comfortable |
| Mortgage nearly paid off | Comfortable |
| Still renting | Tight |
| Supporting adult children | Tight |
| Single, low costs | Comfortable |
Pension Focus at 50
On £30k, pension contributions become critical:
| Contribution Rate | Annual Into Pension | Pot at 67 (6% growth) |
|---|---|---|
| 5% + 3% employer (auto-enrolment minimum) | £2,400 | ~£51,000 (17 years) |
| 8% + 3% employer | £3,300 | ~£70,000 |
| 12% + 3% employer | £4,500 | ~£96,000 |
These figures assume starting from £0 at age 50 — if you already have a pension pot, compound growth helps significantly.
£30k by Region — Where It Goes Furthest
| Region | Average Rent (1-bed) | £30k Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,200-£1,800 | Difficult |
| South East | £800-£1,100 | Tight |
| South West | £650-£850 | Manageable |
| Midlands | £550-£700 | Comfortable |
| North West | £500-£650 | Comfortable |
| North East | £450-£600 | Very comfortable |
| Scotland | £500-£700 | Comfortable |
| Wales | £450-£600 | Very comfortable |
How to Move Beyond £30k
If you want to increase from £30k, the most effective strategies by age:
In Your 20s
- Change employer every 2-3 years (biggest salary jumps happen when switching)
- Get professional qualifications (AAT, CIPD, PRINCE2, etc.)
- Move to a higher-paying sector
In Your 30s-40s
- Negotiate hard — research market rates on Glassdoor, Reed, and Hays salary guides
- Take on management responsibility
- Consider contracting or freelancing in your specialism
- Relocate to a higher-paying area if feasible
In Your 50s
- Leverage experience for senior or consultant roles
- Focus on pension catch-up rather than dramatic salary increases
- Consider part-time work if mortgage-free, to boost quality of life
What £30,000 Buys You at Each Life Stage
The same salary has dramatically different practical implications depending on your age and life circumstances. Here’s an honest breakdown:
Age 21–25: Good Start, Keep Moving
At 21–25, £30,000 puts you firmly ahead of your peers. The average graduate starting salary in the UK sits around £25,000–28,000, so earning £30,000 early places you in the top quartile for your age group.
The danger at this stage is complacency. The careers where people tend to stagnate at salary levels like £30k are those where there’s no natural progression route and no incentive to move firms. Focus on accumulating skills and credentials — qualifications like ACCA, CIPD, CIMA, or a professional chartership typically translate to 20%+ salary increases.
Pension priority: Even at this age, a 5-8% combined contribution is worth starting. Twenty years of compounding matters far more than the amount you contribute in your 20s. Even £100/month starting at 22 becomes approximately £92,000 by 67 (at 5% growth).
Student loans: At £30,000, Plan 2 repayments are £57/month. Plan 5 repayments are £57/month as well (6% on earnings above £25,000). For most graduates, the balance grows with inflation for years before meaningful repayment begins — focus on career growth rather than overpaying loans.
Age 26–30: The Critical Earnings Decade
Your late 20s are when career trajectories diverge sharply. People who change employers every 2–3 years or move into specialist roles typically earn £3,000–10,000 more by 30 than those who stay put. At £30,000 at 28-30, you should be asking:
- What’s my clear path to £40k? What qualification, promotion, or employer change gets me there?
- Do I have 3 months’ emergency savings?
- Am I capturing my full employer pension match?
- If buying a home is a priority, have I opened a Lifetime ISA?
Age 31–40: Time to Close the Gap
At £30,000 in your 30s, you’re earning below the UK median for your age group (the median for ages 35–44 is around £36,000–38,000). This is the decade where action matters most before pay differentials compound:
- CPD qualifications often offer the biggest jump (management, technology, finance specialisms)
- Employer switching still delivers the fastest increase, even more so with experience
- Management promotion adds £3,000–10,000 in most sectors
Age 40+: Context and Planning
Earning £30,000 in your 40s or 50s typically means you’re in a role with limited upward trajectory. Focus: ensure your pension is on track, your mortgage is being repaid, and you have an ISA. A meaningful pension pot can compensate for a longer flat earnings period.
Related Guides
- UK Employment Rights: Redundancy, Leave, Contracts and Workplace Protections
- Is £30k a good salary UK?
- Is £40k a good salary?
- Is £25k a good salary for a graduate?
- How to negotiate a pay rise
- Pension contributions explained
- Lifetime ISA Guide — if you’re saving for a first home
Salary Tools and Guides
- UK Income Percentile Calculator — see exactly where you rank
- Average UK Salary by Age 2026 — compare by age group
- Average Salary by Sector UK — compare by industry
- UK Wealth Percentiles — beyond income, how does your net worth rank?
- How to Negotiate a Pay Rise — step-by-step guide