£35,000 is just below the UK median full-time salary — putting you very close to average in national terms. 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 2024) | ~£37,430 | 6% below median |
| UK mean full-time salary | ~£42,500 | 18% 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) | 40th–45th | Slightly below average |
| Higher-rate tax threshold | £50,270 | £15,270 below — all basic rate |
Key point: £35,000 is essentially an “average salary” in common parlance — the difference between £35,000 and the median is small enough that most people at this level should think of themselves as being paid around the national average.
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 6) | NHS | Senior staff nurse or clinical specialist |
| Secondary school teacher (5+ years) | Education | M3–M4 on national pay spine |
| 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 |