£35,000 is around 10% below the UK median full-time salary. Whether that is “good” depends on where you live, who you live with, and what stage of your career you are at.
See our take-home pay on £35,000 guide for the detailed tax breakdown, and our salary by profession guide to see how your earnings compare in your field.
Where £35,000 Ranks in the UK
| Measure | Value | £35,000 comparison |
|---|---|---|
| UK median full-time salary (ONS ASHE 2025) | ~£39,039 | 10% below median |
| UK mean full-time salary | £48,512 | 28% below mean |
| National Living Wage (full-time, 37.5 hrs) | ~£23,810 | 47% above NLW |
| London median full-time salary | ~£43,000 | 19% below London median |
| Approximate percentile (full-time) | Upper-30s | Below average |
| Higher-rate tax threshold | £50,270 | £15,270 below — all basic rate |
Key point: £35,000 sits a meaningful step below the national median (£39,039) — around 10% below — though it’s still a workable salary in most of the UK outside London and the South East.
Your Take-Home Pay on £35,000 (2026/27)
| Deduction | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £35,000 | £2,917 |
| Income tax (20%) | £4,486 | £374 |
| National Insurance (8%) | £1,794 | £150 |
| Take-home (before pension) | £28,720 | £2,393 |
With minimum auto-enrolment pension (5% employee on qualifying earnings):
| Annual | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pension contribution (employee 5%) | £1,438 | £120 |
| Employer contribution (3% minimum) | £863 | £72 |
| Take-home after pension | £27,282 | £2,274 |
Your employer’s 3% pension contribution (£863/year) adds meaningful long-term value even if it does not land in your bank account.
For the full tax breakdown, see our take-home pay on £35,000 guide.
What Can You Afford on £35,000?
Monthly Budget: Outside London (Own Place)
| Expense | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed flat) | £600–£900 |
| Council tax | £120–£170 |
| Utilities and broadband | £120–£170 |
| Food and groceries | £250–£350 |
| Transport | £80–£180 |
| Phone | £20–£40 |
| Total essentials | £1,190–£1,810 |
| Remaining (take-home £2,393) | £583–£1,203 |
Outside London, £35,000 is a comfortable enough salary to rent a one-bedroom flat independently, cover all essentials, and still have £500–£1,200/month for savings, leisure, and life events.
Monthly Budget: London
| Expense | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed flat, outer zones) | £1,300–£1,800 |
| Transport (Travelcard or car) | £200–£280 |
| Food and utilities | £400–£600 |
| Total essentials | £1,900–£2,680 |
| Take-home (£2,393) | Tight to deficit |
In London, £35,000 is a challenging salary to rent independently. Most people at this level in London share accommodation, live in outer zones with long commutes, or supplement with a partner’s income. It is not unusual but requires careful budgeting.
£35,000 by Region
| Region | Is £35,000 good? |
|---|---|
| North East | Above regional median — comfortable |
| Yorkshire & Humber | Above regional median — comfortable |
| East Midlands | Around regional median |
| West Midlands | Around regional median |
| North West | Around or above regional median |
| Wales | Above regional median |
| Scotland | Around or slightly above median |
| South East | Below regional median — stretched |
| South West | Around or slightly below regional median |
| East of England | Below regional median |
| London | Significantly below — difficult single-earner |
Mortgages at £35,000
| Multiple | Mortgage amount |
|---|---|
| 4× salary | £140,000 |
| 4.5× salary | £157,500 |
With a 10% deposit, you can target a property up to approximately £155,000–£175,000. This is realistic for:
- 2–3 bedroom houses in the North East, Yorkshire, parts of the Midlands, Wales, and Scotland
- 1–2 bedroom flats in some Midlands cities
- Not enough for most properties in London or the South East
Joint mortgage: With a partner also on £35,000, you could borrow £280,000–£315,000 — opening up significantly more of the market.
£35,000 at Different Career Stages
| Stage | Context |
|---|---|
| School leaver / apprentice (age 18–21) | Excellent — above NLW and starting salary for many industries |
| Graduate (age 21–25) | Good — above average for new graduates; room to grow |
| Mid-career (age 30–45) | Slightly below national average — worth considering if you can progress |
| Senior/experienced (age 45+) | Below average for experienced workers in most professional roles |
Is £35,000 Enough to Save?
On £35,000 with take-home of £2,393/month:
- Emergency fund (3 months’ expenses): at £300/month savings, achievable in about 10–12 months
- House deposit (10% of £175,000 = £17,500): at £400/month, achievable in about 3.5–4 years
- ISA allowance (£20,000/year): takes your full discretionary income to max — only possible with very low costs
The ISA allowance is unreachable on £35,000 alone without near-zero living costs, but saving £200–£500/month is achievable outside London.
See our ISA allowance guide for the most tax-efficient way to save at this income level, and our average UK salary guide for how pay typically grows over a career.
What Jobs Pay £35,000 in the UK?
| Job title | Typical sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced nurse (Band 5, upper end) | NHS | Staff nurse approaching top of band (£32,073–£39,043 range) |
| Secondary school teacher (2–3 years) | Education | M2–M3 on national pay spine (£32,916–£45,352 range) |
| Mid-level software developer | Technology | 3–5 years’ experience, non-London |
| Project manager (junior) | Construction / IT | APM or PRINCE2 qualified |
| Senior HR advisor | Business services | 5+ years’ experience |
| Senior marketing executive | Various | Team lead or specialist |
| Quantity surveyor (junior) | Construction | RICS-qualified or part-qualified |
| Financial analyst (junior) | Finance / banking | Graduate scheme alumni |
| Solicitor (newly qualified, outside London) | Legal | NQ in a regional firm |
Salary Progression from £35,000
| Next milestone | Typical route | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| £38,000–£40,000 | Promotion within current employer | 2–4 years |
| £40,000–£50,000 | Move to larger firm or management role | 2–5 years |
| £50,000+ | Specialist expertise, consultancy, or senior management | 5+ years |