Technology and data
| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | £35k – £48k | £55k – £80k | £85k – £120k |
| Data engineer | £38k – £50k | £58k – £82k | £90k – £125k |
| Data analyst | £30k – £40k | £45k – £62k | £68k – £90k |
| DevOps / platform engineer | £40k – £52k | £62k – £88k | £95k – £130k |
| Cybersecurity analyst | £35k – £48k | £55k – £80k | £85k – £120k |
| Product manager | £40k – £55k | £65k – £90k | £100k – £140k |
Indicative annual gross ranges for London based on advertised roles and offers we see with clients. Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Edinburgh typically sit 15 to 25 percent lower for the same level. Treat these as a negotiating frame, not a guarantee.
Marketing and commercial
| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital / performance marketer | £26k – £34k | £40k – £55k | £65k – £90k |
| Content / product marketing | £27k – £36k | £42k – £58k | £70k – £95k |
| Marketing operations | £30k – £40k | £45k – £62k | £72k – £95k |
| SDR / BDR (on-target earnings) | £32k – £45k | £45k – £60k | — |
| Account executive (on-target earnings) | — | £70k – £110k | £120k – £180k |
| Customer success manager | £30k – £40k | £45k – £62k | £70k – £95k |
Indicative annual gross ranges for London based on advertised roles and offers we see with clients. Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Edinburgh typically sit 15 to 25 percent lower for the same level. Treat these as a negotiating frame, not a guarantee.
Finance, operations and HR
| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | £30k – £40k | £48k – £65k | £75k – £105k |
| Financial analyst | £33k – £45k | £52k – £72k | £85k – £115k |
| Operations manager | £30k – £40k | £45k – £65k | £72k – £100k |
| HR / talent partner | £28k – £38k | £42k – £58k | £68k – £92k |
| Project manager | £33k – £45k | £50k – £70k | £80k – £110k |
Indicative annual gross ranges for London based on advertised roles and offers we see with clients. Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Edinburgh typically sit 15 to 25 percent lower for the same level. Treat these as a negotiating frame, not a guarantee.
London versus the rest of the UK
London pays a clear premium, commonly 15 to 25 percent above the northern and Scottish cities for the same level, and it is also where the largest share of sponsored roles sit. Rent and commuting usually consume the difference and often more, so the premium is rarely the windfall it looks like on paper.
Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow all have substantial professional employment, shorter shortlists per role and materially lower housing costs. For candidates who need sponsorship, the deciding factor should be whether the employers you want hold a licence, not the city's reputation.
If you are relocating from abroad, budget the first three months separately. Deposits, agency requirements and setting up utilities and banking are front-loaded, and that period trips people up far more often than the ongoing monthly budget.
How to negotiate a UK offer
Anchor to the city, not your history
Give a market range for that role in that specific city. Quoting a previous salary from another country almost always anchors you low.
Check the visa threshold first
If you need sponsorship, confirm the offer clears both the general threshold and the going rate for your occupation code before discussing anything else.
Value the whole package
Pension contribution above the statutory minimum, bonus, equity, private healthcare and annual leave often move the real value more than base does.
Counter once, with a number
A single specific counter with a short justification is standard practice and rarely puts an offer at risk. Open-ended haggling does.
Keep going
What clients say about working with us
“My experience with HULA Career exceeded my expectations. They provided exceptional guidance throughout every step of my dream job search. I am incredibly grateful to Hugo and Laura for their unwavering support.”
“Hugo is a friendly and dedicated professional who can help you with career coaching. He was very attentive to me, making calls to teach me strategies to get the perfect job and providing accurate and professional material.”
“If you're looking for any career related help or advice in Ireland, HULA is the one for you. Hugo and Laura are two of the sweetest and kind hearted people who go above and beyond to support you.”
“I had an amazing experience with HULA Career! Their team provided outstanding support in improving my LinkedIn profile and CV, making them more professional and impactful. Their guidance was clear, personalized, and extremely helpful.”
“I've been a client of HULA Career for a while now, and working with them has been one of the best decisions I've made for my professional growth. From the very beginning, they made me feel seen and heard.”
“I had a very good experience with HULA! Hugo is an amazing professional who always goes beyond to provide the best service he can. I learned a lot from our sessions and would recommend 100% for anyone who needs help finding a new job.”
“HULA met my expectations perfectly. I was looking for guidance to create a standout resume, and they fully understood my needs. The team was extremely attentive and delivered excellent services.”
“They are excellent professionals and exceed expectations. They helped me in a practical way, but also in a psychological way so that I could position myself in the labour market in another country. Thank you so much, you're amazing.”
Weighing up a UK offer?
In the free consultation we compare the offer against the market range for that level and city, check it against your visa position, and help you decide what to ask for.
Written by
Hugo Faria
Career coach and co-founder of HULA. He works every week with international professionals hiring into Ireland, the UK and Portugal, and coaches them through CV, LinkedIn, applications and interviews. More about Hugo.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good salary in the UK?+
It depends almost entirely on location. A salary that feels tight in London can be very comfortable in Manchester or Leeds, because housing dominates the budget. Compare offers on take-home minus rent rather than on gross, and model council tax and commuting separately because both are easy to underestimate.
How much tax will I pay in the UK?+
Income tax is banded, with National Insurance on top and automatic pension enrolment deducted from most salaries. Your take-home is materially below gross, so run the figures through an official calculator on any offer before you negotiate or accept.
Does the Skilled Worker visa have a minimum salary?+
Yes. The Skilled Worker route sets a general salary threshold and an occupation-specific going rate, and your offer must meet the higher of the two. Thresholds change, so always check the current government guidance for your occupation code rather than relying on a figure you read elsewhere.
Is it normal to negotiate salary in the UK?+
At mid and senior level, yes, and one clear counter with a specific figure is expected rather than resented. In graduate schemes, large consultancies and the public sector, bands are usually fixed and negotiation has little effect, so direct your energy to the level and the start date instead.
Should I quote my current salary?+
No. Answer with a market-based range for the role in the city you are targeting. If you are relocating, your existing salary reflects a different cost base and quoting it usually anchors you below the local market.
How reliable are these numbers?+
They are indicative ranges drawn from advertised roles and offers we see with coaching clients, not an official statistical survey. Cross-check against current postings for your exact title, level and city before you use them in a negotiation.