Top 10 Cities With The Highest Salaries this July

TOP 10 CITIES WITH THE HIGHEST SALARIES THIS JULY

Despite there being a great amount of uncertainty following last month’s general election, average salaries in the UK saw a steady increase last month, rising by 1.3% when compared with data from June 2016.

As we are now one year on from the EU Referendum, and with post-election uncertainty still looming, it’s very positive to see that salaries are continuing to rise at a steady rate, across the UK.

Many key cities and sectors have seen positive growth, indicating that businesses across the nation are still working hard to attract talented job hunters, despite these unpredictable times.

By comparing June 2017 data with June 2016, we discovered the cities with the strongest salary growth. Read on to learn about the top 10 cities with the highest salaries for July 2017.

1. SHEFFIELD

Sheffield is the steel capital of the UK and is well and truly living up to its name with average salaries increasing by a massive 11.3% year-on-year.

Even when up against the turbulent general election last month, salaries also saw a 1.2% rise month-on-month, putting the city’s average salary at £31,622.

2. CARDIFF

Cardiff is another city filled with bulging pay packets as it saw an average salary increase of 10.9% year-on-year.  This places the average salary at £34,250.

Wales’ capital has an economy that’s shifted greatly over the years, from relying heavily on coal trade and exportation, to more recently, white collar roles. Currently, its high-tech sectors are the most prolific in terms of jobs and salaries, with the average salary for this industry currently standing at £42,686.

3. EDINBURGH

Edinburgh comes in third place with average salaries rising by 7.4% year-on-year to £32,416. The economy of Scotland’s capital was known for its banking, publishing and brewing in the nineteenth century. However, it’s more commonly known today for its financial services, scientific research and tourism, which is why the finance industry boasts the most affluent average salary of £40,343 in this region.

4. GLASGOW

Glasgow is also prospering this year with average salaries up by 4.6% year-on-year. However, Scotland’s biggest city also reported the largest month-on-month rise of 9.1%, putting average salaries at £33,464.

There’s better news if you’re currently job searching in this area, too. Data also showed that jobs are up an incredible 24.1% year-on-year. This is no surprise as it holds Scotland’s largest urban economy, generating over £13 billion each year and supporting an excess of 400,000 jobs.

5. LEEDS

Leeds is in fifth place with average salaries rising by 3.3% year-on-year to £30,691.

Located in the heart of the UK, Leeds is more than just the UK’s third-largest city. Not only is its economy estimated to be worth around £64 billion, with a workforce of over 1.3 million, but it also plays host to a variety of industries, with financial and legal coming up trumps.

6. MANCHESTER

Manchester is also thriving this year with average salaries up 1.6% to £30,805. But, much like Glasgow, jobs are on the rise too, with a huge increase of 19.5% year-on-year. This is unsurprising since it generates around £56 billion GVA every year and as a result, has the second-fast growing economy in the UK, behind London.

7. LONDON

As most graduands think about relocating to our capital this graduation season, they’ll be relieved to know that London saw an average salary increase of 1.5% year-on-year to £37,372. While other cities are thriving too, London is still one of the top UK cities to find a job in this year, having witnessed 19% increase in vacancies when comparing January 2016 data to January 2017.

8. BRISTOL

A British city on the rise, Bristol comes in eight place seeing average salaries rise by 1% year-on-year to £32,330. While in the past this city built its prosperity on sea trade, Bristol’s economic landscape has more recently shifted toward aerospace, electronics and creative media. In fact, since its economy is now worth £13.6 billion, companies are now taking large steps to win competition from their London competitors

9. BRIGHTON

Seaside town and Pride capital, Brighton, saw a 0.5% increase in average salaries to £29,605. Although the percentage change may be small, jobs are on the rise in this colourful town, with vacancies up an impressive 17.5% year-on-year.

10. SOUTHAMPTON

Coming in tenth is economic and retail hub, Southampton, with a 0.2% rise in average salaries to £30,276. With over 7,400 businesses operating in the city from famous household names like Garmin and B&Q to Europe’s most productive port, Southampton positions itself as a leading city of innovation and jobs.

While these are the top ten cities experiencing the highest salary growth this July, plenty of towns and cities nationwide are experiencing impressive growth, too. Check out some of the jobs on offer in these thriving towns right here.

About the author: Laura Slingo is Digital Copywriter for the UK’s leading job board, CV-Library. For more expert advice on job searches, careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice pages.