What’s the Average Salary in Scotland? A 2024 Overview

Are you thinking of moving to Scotland for work? If so, you might be wondering what the average salary in Scotland is and how it compares to other countries.

The average (mean) salary in Scotland in 2024 was £31,697 per year, which is up 6.2% over last year. The median salary, which is the middle point of the salary distribution, was £27,698 per year, also up 6.2%. The average wage Scotland for full-time workers was £36,508 per year, while for part-time workers it was £14,661 per year.

As an expat who has worked in several countries, I can say that Scotland offers a decent standard of living and a vibrant culture. However, the cost of living can be high, especially in the cities, and the weather can be unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to do your research and plan your budget before you make the move.

In this blog post, we will give you an overview of the Scotland average salary in 2024. Also, we will explore the factors that affect the average salary in Scotland, such as education, experience, skills, and location.

Also read: What is a good salary in Birmingham?

What’s The Scotland Average Salary?

According to the latest national statistics and earnings data regarding the average pay, the average salary in Scotland in 2024 was £31,697 per year, which is a 6.2% increase from the previous year. This means that the Scotland average income was higher than the UK average of £30,800 per year.

However, the average salary Scotland varies depending on several factors, such as the following:

• Full-time or part-time work
• Median or mean pay
• Hourly pay

Full-time or Part-time Work

Full-time workers earned an average wage Scotland of £36,508 per year, while part-time workers earned only £14,661 per year. This shows a significant gap between the two types of employment, which may reflect the different skills, qualifications, and experience required for different jobs.

Median or Mean Pay

The median pay is the middle point of the salary distribution, where half of the workers earn more and half earn less. The median pay in Scotland in 2024 was £27,698 per year, also up 6.2% from the previous year. The mean pay is the average of all the salaries, which can be skewed by very high or very low earners. The mean pay in Scotland in 2024 was £31,697 per year, which is higher than the median. This suggests that there are some workers who earn much more than the average, which may indicate a high level of inequality in the Scottish labour market.

Hourly Pay

Another way to measure the average salary in Scotland is to look at the hourly pay, which is the amount of money earned per hour of work. The hourly pay in Scotland in 2024 was £15.24 for full-time workers and £9.77 for part-time workers. The median hourly pay was £13.34 for all workers, which is higher than the UK median of £12.90. This means that the Scotland average salary per month was £2,314 for full-time workers and £847 for part-time workers, assuming a 38-hour work week.

Do you want to know Why Are UK Salaries So Low Compared To the US?

List of In-Demand Jobs and Their Scotland Average Salary Per Month

Here is a list of in-demand jobs in Scotland along with their average salaries according to the annual survey for full time employees and part time employees. The demand for these jobs is driven by various factors such as industry growth, technological advancements, and societal needs.

• Healthcare Professionals: With an aging population and ongoing health challenges, healthcare professionals are in high demand. The average employee earnings in Scotland is around £2,800 per month.

• IT Professionals: As digital transformation continues to accelerate, IT professionals are needed to manage and implement new technologies. The average pay for an IT professional in Scotland is approximately £34,919 per year.

• Engineers: From civil to software, engineers are essential in almost every industry. The average salary for professional occupations in this industry in Scotland is around £34,919 per year.

• Teachers: Education is a priority in Scotland, and there is a consistent demand for teachers. The average salary for a teacher in Scotland is about £34,758 – £51,057 per year.

• Food Services: Jobs in the food service industry, including chefs and restaurant managers, are in demand, especially in tourist hotspots. The average wage in Scotland’s food service industry varies widely depending on the role and experience.

• Local Authority Roles: Jobs within local authorities, such as social workers and administrative roles, are consistently in demand. The average wage in Scotland for these roles varies depending on the specific job and experience, but expect to earn €27,896 to €92,825.

• Construction Workers: With ongoing infrastructure projects, construction workers are in high demand. The typical pay or average wage for a construction worker in Scotland is around £34,919 per year.

• Financial Services Professionals: Scotland has a robust financial services sector, requiring roles such as financial advisors and analysts. The Scotland average income in this sector is approximately £34,919 per year.

• Sales and Marketing Professionals: These roles are crucial for businesses to increase their market presence and drive revenue. The average salary for sales and marketing professionals in Scotland is around £24,000 per year.

• Jobs in North East Scotland: There are various in-demand jobs in the North East of Scotland, ranging from energy to tourism sectors. The average salary varies depending on the specific job and industry.

Find out the difference! Best For Living: The UK vs Ireland

What is a Good Salary in Scotland?

A good salary is a subjective term that depends on various factors, such as personal circumstances, living costs, lifestyle choices, and expectations. However, one way to approach this question is to compare the average salary in Scotland with the cost of living in Scotland and see if it is enough to cover the basic expenses and have some savings.

According to the latest data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), the average salary in Scotland was £31,697 per year, or £2,641 per month. This was an increase of 6.2% over the previous year and higher than the UK average of £31,240. The average wage in Scotland was also higher than the median wage, which was £27,698 per year, or £2,308 per month. This means that half of the workers in Scotland earned more than this amount, and half earned less.

The cost of living in Scotland varies depending on the location, the size of the household, and the consumption patterns. However, one source estimates that the average cost of living in Scotland per month is around £1,500, which is 1.26 times less expensive than the average in the UK. This includes expenses such as housing, food, transportation, utilities, health care, and entertainment. Based on this estimate, the average salary in Scotland would be enough to cover the basic living costs and have some surplus income.

The Average Pay Isn’t The Same for All Workers

However, not everyone earns the average salary in Scotland. There are significant differences in earnings by gender, working pattern, occupation, industry, and region.

For example, the gender pay gap for full-time employees in Scotland was 3.0% in 2024, meaning that women earned 97% of what men earned on average.

• The median hourly pay for full-time employees in Scotland was £15.03, while it was £10.50 for part-time employees.

• The highest paid occupations in Scotland were health professionals, with a median hourly pay of £32.62, while the lowest paid occupations were elementary occupations, with a median hourly pay of £9.25.

• The highest paid industries in Scotland were utilities, with a median hourly pay of £21.83, while the lowest paid industries were accommodation and food service, with a median hourly pay of £8.91.

• The highest paid regions in Scotland were South East and South West, with a median hourly pay of £16.01 and £15.72 respectively, while the lowest paid regions were Highlands and Islands and North East, with a median hourly pay of £13.71 and £13.75 respectively.

Therefore, what is a good salary in Scotland depends on how much one needs and wants to spend, as well as how much one can earn based on their skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

A good salary in Scotland could be considered as one that allows a person to meet their essential needs, achieve their financial goals, and enjoy a comfortable and satisfying life. This could vary from person to person, but as a general guide, a good salary in Scotland could be around £40,000 per year, or £3,333 per month, which is about 26% higher than the average salary in Scotland and 28% higher than the median salary in Scotland. This would provide a person with a net income of about £2,500 per month after taxes and deductions, which would be enough to cover the average cost of living in Scotland and have some extra money for savings and discretionary spending.

Related article: Planning Your Budget: Cost Of Living In UK for Family Of 4

Factors That Can Affect The Scotland Average Salary Per Month

The average salary in Scotland per month is not the same for everyone. There are many factors that can affect how much a person earns in Scotland, such as their gender, working pattern, occupation, industry, and region. Here are some of the main factors that can influence the Scotland average salary per month:

Gender

There is still a gender pay gap in Scotland, meaning that women tend to earn less than men on average. According to the latest data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), the median hourly pay for full-time employees in Scotland was £15.03 for men and £14.58 for women in 2024. This means that women earned 97% of what men earned on average. The gender pay gap was even larger for part-time employees, with women earning 84% of what men earned on average.

Working pattern

The working pattern of a person can also affect their earnings, as full-time employees tend to earn more than part-time employees. The median hourly pay for full-time employees in Scotland was £15.03, while it was £10.50 for part-time employees in 2024. The Scotland median weekly pay for full-time employees was £583, while it was £197 for part-time employees.

The median annual salary for full-time employees in Scotland was £30,316, then expect it to be £10,244 for part-time employees.

Occupation

The occupation of a person can have a significant impact on their earnings, as some occupations are more in demand and require higher skills and qualifications than others. The highest paid occupations in Scotland were health professionals, with a median hourly pay of £32.62, while the lowest paid occupations were elementary occupations, with a median hourly pay of £9.25 in 2024. The highest paid occupations also had a higher proportion of full-time employees, while the lowest paid occupations had a higher proportion of part-time employees.

Industry

The industry that a person works in can also affect their earnings, as some industries are more profitable and competitive than others. The highest paid industries in Scotland were utilities, with a median hourly pay of £21.83, while the lowest paid industries were accommodation and food service, with a median hourly pay of £8.91 in 2024. The highest paid industries also had a lower share of part-time employees, while the lowest paid industries had a higher share of part-time employees.

Region

The region that a person lives and works in can also influence their earnings, as some regions have higher living costs and economic opportunities than others. The highest paid regions in Scotland were South East and South West, with a median hourly pay of £16.01 and £15.72 respectively, while the lowest paid regions were Highlands and Islands and North East, with a median hourly pay of £13.71 and £13.75 respectively in 2024. The highest paid regions also had a higher concentration of higher earners, while the lowest paid regions had a higher concentration of lower earners.

These factors can explain why the average salary in Scotland per month can vary from person to person, and why some people may consider a certain salary as good, while others may not. A good salary in Scotland is one that meets the needs and expectations of the individual, and that depends on their personal and professional circumstances.

Are you having a hard time finding a high-paying job? Check our article: Most In-Demand Jobs in London, UK [2023]

Final Thoughts About The Average Salary in Scotland

In conclusion, the average salary in Scotland in 2024 was £31,697 per year, reflecting a 6.2% increase from the previous year. Various factors such as gender, working pattern, occupation, industry, and region contribute to the diversity in earnings. While Scotland offers a decent standard of living, the definition of a good salary is subjective and depends on individual circumstances.

Understanding the factors influencing salaries is crucial for those considering a move or seeking employment in Scotland. For more in-depth insights and related content, subscribe to our newsletter and explore the links throughout this article. Your engagement helps keep our blog afloat.