The median hourly wage for full-time employees is £19.67/hour (excluding overtime, ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2025). At £16/hr, you're below the median. This is common for entry-level roles, part-time work, or certain sectors.
Working at £16/Hour
£16/hour is 26% above the National Living Wage (£12.71) and converts to approximately £33,280 per year full-time. This is a genuinely good hourly rate, though still 19% below the median for full-time employees (£19.67 an hour, ONS, April 2025). In the North and Midlands, this rate supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Typical Roles at £16/Hour
Typical roles include qualified nurses (when converted to hourly), skilled electricians and plumbers (employed), paramedics, experienced office managers, and dental hygienists. Freelance and agency workers in technical fields frequently earn this rate or more.
Annual Salary Equivalent
The annual equivalent of £33,280 produces take home pay of approximately £2,277 per month. At this rate, you are contributing meaningfully to pension and NI. See £33,000 salary after tax.