Top 5 cities with the highest minimum wage in the UK

In every country, the national minimum wage is the lowest amount of money that workers must be paid by law. The government sets this rule, usually after negotiating and consulting with different groups, such as worker unions, experts, and business owners, to ensure its fairness.

Even though the UK has the same rule for the whole country, some cities pay more because of factors such as the high cost of rent and food in those places.

In this piece, we’ll use MSN data to identify some cities with the highest minimum wage in the UK.

1. London

London has the highest minimum wage in the UK while living there is also expensive. 

In 2024, the lowest amount a worker could be paid was £11.44 per hour.  According to Leap Scholar, most people in the UK earn between £2,500 and £3,000 a month, but part-time workers make around £800 to £1,200. 

The thing is, how much you earn depends on your job, experience, and how many hours you work. 

2. Birmingham 

Birmingham workers make about £37,000 a year on average, and this makes it a good place to work because things cost less there than in London, and it’s one of the cities with the highest minimum wage in the UK. 

The city has many different kinds of jobs, like banking, construction, and technology. Since Birmingham is growing, more people can, in the future, find good work and earn a good salary. 

According to acas.org.uk, the minimum wage as of April 2024 per hour was the same as London’s per hour. Especially for people around age 21 and above. While that of people below 21 till 18 is £8.60 per hour.

READ ALSO: Top 5 UK cities with the lowest minimum wage

3. Manchester 

Another city with the highest minimum wage in the UK  is Manchester, with jobs in sectors such as media, technology, and finance. It is a lot cheaper to live in than in London, however, the salary is good.

On average, workers in Manchester make £36,700 per year. The city helps people find jobs that pay better because more businesses are opening. It also has amazing places one can visit and many job opportunities. 

More businesses are opening, which helps people find better-paying jobs. Manchester is also improving its roads, buildings, and transportation. This makes it a great place for young people and families to live and work.

4. Bristol 

Bristol is a city in southwest England that is well-known for new ideas, history, culture, engineering, and creativity, just to mention a few. It is one of the cities with the highest minimum wage in the UK. 

People who work there make around £36,600 a year on average. Even though people in Bristol earn good salaries, living there is cheaper than in London. 

This makes it a great place for workers who want to earn well but spend less on things like rent and food. This a reason many people choose Bristol as a good place to live and work.

5. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of the cities in the UK that pays well. On average, people there earn £35,900 a year. 

The city gives people lots of career opportunities and has many jobs in banking, technology, and tourism, which make it a great place to work. Edinburgh is also famous for its legendary buildings. If you want a good job and a nice place to live, Edinburgh is a great choice.