Median weekly earnings up 6% to £728 – ONS

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that median weekly earnings for full-time employees in the UK reached £728 in April 2024, marking a 6% increase over the year in nominal terms.

This was a 2.9% rise in real terms, adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH).

As of April 2024, median weekly earnings rose across all major occupational groups, with the largest increases in caring, leisure and other service occupations” and sales and customer service occupations, both up by 7.7% compared to the previous year.

The accommodation and food service activities industry led with a 9.8% increase.

Furthermore, median gross annual earnings for full-time employees reached £37,430 in April 2024, up from £35,004 in April 2023, an increase of 6.9%.

Paul Nowak, general secretary at Trades Union Congress, said: “Everyone who works for a living should earn a decent living.

“But under the Tories, it was the worst pay growth for any period of government in the last 100 years.

“We need a new approach. The Government’s Employment Rights Bill will help to give more workers fair pay, job security, and dignity at work.

“We also need an investment budget to create a new era of growth with rising wages and higher living standards.”