{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "name": "UK City Salary Index 2026",
  "description": "Median full-time salary bands for 38 UK cities, compiled from recruiter placement records and ONS regional pay data.",
  "url": "https://joblabs.ai/research/uk-city-salary-index-2026/",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "dateModified": "2026-05-06",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "JobLabs",
    "url": "https://joblabs.ai"
  },
  "uk_median_baseline_gbp": 37000,
  "source": "12 years of recruiter placement records (15,000+ UK CVs reviewed) cross-referenced against ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) regional pay data",
  "attribution": "UK City Salary Index 2026, JobLabs (joblabs.ai/research/uk-city-salary-index-2026/)",
  "count": 38,
  "data": [
    {
      "city": "Reading",
      "slug": "reading",
      "region": "England — South East (Thames Valley)",
      "population": "320,000 (Reading built-up area)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 62000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 85000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£62,000–£85,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 98.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/reading/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Edinburgh",
      "slug": "edinburgh",
      "region": "Scotland",
      "population": "550,000 (with surrounding region 900,000)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 55000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 80000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£55,000–£80,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 82.4,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/edinburgh/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Manchester",
      "slug": "manchester",
      "region": "England — North West",
      "population": "550,000 (Greater Manchester 2.9m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 55000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 75000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£55,000–£75,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 75.7,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/manchester/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Brighton",
      "slug": "brighton",
      "region": "England — South East",
      "population": "280,000 (Brighton and Hove built-up area)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 55000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 72000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£55,000–£72,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 71.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/brighton/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Glasgow",
      "slug": "glasgow",
      "region": "Scotland",
      "population": "600,000 (Greater Glasgow 1.8m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 52000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 70000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£52,000–£70,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 64.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/glasgow/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Milton Keynes",
      "slug": "milton-keynes",
      "region": "England — South East (Buckinghamshire)",
      "population": "290,000 (Milton Keynes urban area)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 52000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 70000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£52,000–£70,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 64.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/milton-keynes/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Leeds",
      "slug": "leeds",
      "region": "England — Yorkshire and the Humber",
      "population": "810,000 (West Yorkshire 2.3m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 50000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 68000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£50,000–£68,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 59.5,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/leeds/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Liverpool",
      "slug": "liverpool",
      "region": "England — North West",
      "population": "500,000 (Liverpool City Region 1.55m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 45000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 62000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£45,000–£62,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 44.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/liverpool/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Sheffield",
      "slug": "sheffield",
      "region": "England — Yorkshire and the Humber",
      "population": "580,000 (Sheffield City Region 1.4m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 45000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 62000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£45,000–£62,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 44.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/sheffield/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Newcastle upon Tyne",
      "slug": "newcastle",
      "region": "England — North East",
      "population": "300,000 (Tyne and Wear 1.1m, North East 2.6m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 45000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 62000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£45,000–£62,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 44.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/newcastle/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Birmingham",
      "slug": "birmingham",
      "region": "England — Midlands",
      "population": "1.15 million (West Midlands 4.3m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 45000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 60000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£45,000–£60,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 41.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/birmingham/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Belfast",
      "slug": "belfast",
      "region": "Northern Ireland",
      "population": "350,000 (Belfast Metropolitan Area 670,000)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 42000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 60000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£42,000–£60,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 37.8,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/belfast/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Slough",
      "slug": "slough",
      "region": "England — South (Thames Valley)",
      "population": "165,000 (Borough of Slough)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 37000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 40000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£37,000–£40,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 4.1,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/slough/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Aberdeen",
      "slug": "aberdeen",
      "region": "Scotland — North East",
      "population": "200,000 (Aberdeen city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 36000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 38000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£36,000–£38,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 0,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/aberdeen/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Watford",
      "slug": "watford",
      "region": "England — South (London commuter belt)",
      "population": "95,000 (Borough of Watford)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 36000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 38000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£36,000–£38,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": 0,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/watford/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Bath",
      "slug": "bath",
      "region": "England — South West",
      "population": "95,000 (City of Bath)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 33000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 36000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£33,000–£36,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -6.8,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/bath/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Croydon",
      "slug": "croydon",
      "region": "England — Greater London (south)",
      "population": "390,000 (London Borough of Croydon)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 33000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 36000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£33,000–£36,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -6.8,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/croydon/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Derby",
      "slug": "derby",
      "region": "England — East Midlands",
      "population": "260,000 (City of Derby)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 33000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 35000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£33,000–£35,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -8.1,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/derby/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Southampton",
      "slug": "southampton",
      "region": "England — South",
      "population": "270,000 (City of Southampton)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 31000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 33000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£31,000–£33,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -13.5,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/southampton/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Cardiff",
      "slug": "cardiff",
      "region": "Wales",
      "population": "365,000 (Cardiff Capital Region 1.1m)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/cardiff/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Nottingham",
      "slug": "nottingham",
      "region": "England — East Midlands",
      "population": "330,000 (Greater Nottingham 800,000)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/nottingham/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Coventry",
      "slug": "coventry",
      "region": "England — West Midlands",
      "population": "345,000 (Coventry urban area)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/coventry/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Norwich",
      "slug": "norwich",
      "region": "England — East",
      "population": "210,000 (Norwich city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/norwich/"
    },
    {
      "city": "York",
      "slug": "york",
      "region": "England — Yorkshire",
      "population": "210,000 (City of York)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/york/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Preston",
      "slug": "preston",
      "region": "England — North West",
      "population": "260,000 (Preston city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/preston/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Portsmouth",
      "slug": "portsmouth",
      "region": "England — South",
      "population": "210,000 (City of Portsmouth)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 32000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£30,000–£32,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -16.2,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/portsmouth/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Leicester",
      "slug": "leicester",
      "region": "England — East Midlands",
      "population": "360,000 (Leicester city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 31000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£29,000–£31,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -18.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/leicester/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Swansea",
      "slug": "swansea",
      "region": "Wales — South West",
      "population": "245,000 (City and County of Swansea)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 31000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£29,000–£31,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -18.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/swansea/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Exeter",
      "slug": "exeter",
      "region": "England — South West",
      "population": "130,000 (City of Exeter)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 31000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£29,000–£31,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -18.9,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/exeter/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Plymouth",
      "slug": "plymouth",
      "region": "England — South West",
      "population": "265,000 (Plymouth urban area)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 28000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£28,000–£30,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -21.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/plymouth/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Wolverhampton",
      "slug": "wolverhampton",
      "region": "England — West Midlands",
      "population": "265,000 (Wolverhampton city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 28000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£28,000–£30,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -21.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/wolverhampton/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Sunderland",
      "slug": "sunderland",
      "region": "England — North East",
      "population": "270,000 (City of Sunderland)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 28000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£28,000–£30,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -21.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/sunderland/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Dundee",
      "slug": "dundee",
      "region": "Scotland",
      "population": "150,000 (City of Dundee)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 28000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£28,000–£30,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -21.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/dundee/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Inverness",
      "slug": "inverness",
      "region": "Scotland — Highlands",
      "population": "70,000 (City of Inverness)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 28000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 30000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£28,000–£30,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -21.6,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/inverness/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Stoke-on-Trent",
      "slug": "stoke-on-trent",
      "region": "England — West Midlands",
      "population": "260,000 (Stoke-on-Trent city)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 27000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£27,000–£29,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -24.3,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/stoke-on-trent/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Hull (Kingston upon Hull)",
      "slug": "hull",
      "region": "England — Yorkshire & Humber",
      "population": "270,000 (Kingston upon Hull)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 27000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£27,000–£29,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -24.3,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/hull/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Bradford",
      "slug": "bradford",
      "region": "England — Yorkshire and the Humber",
      "population": "340,000 (City of Bradford)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 27000,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 29000,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£27,000–£29,000",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -24.3,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/bradford/"
    },
    {
      "city": "Cambridge",
      "slug": "cambridge",
      "region": "England — East",
      "population": "150,000 (with student population)",
      "median_ft_low_gbp": 100,
      "median_ft_high_gbp": 150,
      "median_ft_band_gbp": "£100–£150",
      "vs_uk_median_pct": -99.7,
      "url": "https://joblabs.ai/jobs/cambridge/"
    }
  ]
}