How Much Does The Average 22-Year-Old Earn In The UK?

Being in your early twenties is a bit of a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to earnings. Don’t worry, this is normal!

As a 22-year-old, you may feel that life is difficult to pin down. Should you be studying? Taking some time to travel? Going into a full-time job?

There really is no right answer, and it's important not to compare yourself to what others are doing at this age. This also goes for things like wages.

Every 22-year-old will earn a slightly different income. So, try not to stress about it! But if you’re curious, stick with us and we’ll show you what the average UK earnings are at 22.

If you are looking to earn some extra cash on the side, check out our part-time job and get earning today!

What’s The Minimum Wage For 22-Year-Olds?

When it comes to looking at how much you should be earning as a 22-year-old, let’s start from the bottom.

As of 2023, the National Living Wage in the UK for 21 to 22-year-olds is £10.18. This would result in an annual earning of £21,840.

Though this isn’t the average wage for 22-year-olds, it’s important to get that figure cleared up!

As a 22-year-old, you probably won’t have that much experience in the working world. So, make sure you’re not being taken for a ride. Ideally, you should be earning at least this figure.

What Affects The Average UK Salary?

Looking at an average earnings of a 22-year-old is no easy feat. In fact, there are a few things this impact this figure.

The first thing, of course, is location, location, location! It really is everything.

It may not come as much of a surprise that your average salary will depend on where you live. Namely, London salaries are much higher than anywhere else in the UK.

This may make you say - that’s not fair! But actually, London is a heck of a lot more expensive. So, earnings will vary depending on where you live to match the cost of living there.

The industry you’re in is obviously the other big factor. Like it or not, some industries tend to pay out a lot more than others!

Another thing to consider is if you work part-time or full-time. This will not only affect your overall salary but also your hourly pay rate. Those working part-time hours usually make less per hour than full-time workers.

All these factors will come into play in your overall wage.

So, with these things in mind - let’s get down to it! Time to break down the average wage of a 22-year-old in the UK.

How Much Does The Average UK 22-Year-Old Make?

Now, we can’t emphasise enough - there is no one figure that can sum this question up!

But, on average, 22-year-olds in the UK can expect to earn around £25,000 a year.

If you’re living and working in London, your wage may be a bit higher than this. And, as mentioned, this will also really vary depending on your profession. For example, if you work in areas such as finance or law, a 22-year-old may earn over the £30,000 mark.

On the other hand, if you work in, for example, customer service or charity work, it may be a little under £25,000.

But whatever you do as a 22-year-old, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself!

As long as you don’t splash the cash too much, an average salary of £25,000 should be absolutely fine.

This means not blowing all your money on holidays and rounds of pints. This is never a good idea, especially when you’re 22. After all, you may have moved out of your parent's place and have bills to think about now!

Conclusion

As a 22-year-old, the big thing is not to worry. Money is always a stressful subject. But at this age, you’re probably only at your first job. Remember, this is just the first ring of the ladder - it’s only up from here!

As you get older, you’ll have more experience and qualifications and your wage will rise accordingly. So, with time and hard work, any 22-year-old can look forward to seeing their earnings rise. And what a fabulous sight that will be!

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