PaychecklyIs £18,000 a Good Salary in the UK?
It's below the UK average, but workable depending on where you live. The UK median full-time salary is around £37,000, so £18,000 is below the UK median.
How £18,000 compares to the UK average
The median full-time salary in the UK is around £37,000 (ONS, latest data), and the mean is closer to £44,000 — pulled up by very high earners. The "average" most people mean is the median, so that's the fairer benchmark.
£18,000 sits below the UK median of £37,000 — roughly in the bottom third of full-time earners. It's common for entry-level roles, apprenticeships, younger workers and part-time-equivalent positions, and goes considerably further outside London and the South East.
What £18,000 gets you after tax
A headline salary isn't what lands in your account. On £18,000, after Income Tax and National Insurance, your take-home is about £16,480 a year — roughly £1,373 a month for the 2026/27 tax year.
On about £18,000 you'll comfortably cover essentials in most of the UK, but saving and renting alone in higher-cost cities will be tight. It keeps you fully within the 20% basic-rate tax band.
The honest verdict
For a first job or in a lower-cost region, £18,000 is a reasonable starting salary. As a long-term target it's below average, so it's worth using it as a stepping stone and reviewing the market rate for your role.
See the full £18,000 take-home breakdown ›Is a different salary good?
"Good" is relative — it depends on your location, household, age and cost of living. Comparisons use ONS median full-time earnings. Take-home assumes the 1257L tax code, no student loan or pension, and residency in England, Wales or NI. Use the calculator for your exact figure.