Inflation spike: Jobs offering best hourly pay revealed as cost of living continues to rise
The business finance experts at money.co.uk business bank accounts have analysed ONS data about average hours worked and median average pay for a range of sectors to uncover the ones offering the best – and worst – hourly pay.
Industries with the highest hours-to-pay ratio:
Rank | Industry | Median weekly paid hours | Median gross annual pay | Median gross pay per hour |
1 | Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply | 37.0 | £51,886 | £26.89 |
2 | Financial and Insurance Activities | 35.0 | £47,248 | £25.89 |
3 | Information and Communication | 37.5 | £46,063 | £23.56 |
4 | Mining and Quarrying | 39.9 | £47,022 | £22.60 |
5 | Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | 37.4 | £39,880 | £20.45 |
6 | Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation Activities | 38.8 | £38,435 | £19.00 |
7 | Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | 37.0 | £36,109 | £18.72 |
8 | Education | 32.5 | £31,094 | £18.35 |
9 | Manufacturing | 38.4 | £35,518 | £17.74 |
10 | Transportation and Storage | 39.2 | £35,868 | £17.55 |
In the UK, workers in the energy supply industry earn the highest hourly pay on average. The average working week is around 37 hours, and the median hourly pay is £26.89 – more than double the April 2025 national living wage of £12.21 an hour for those 21 and over.2 When calculated as gross annual income, the national living wage comes to £23,175 (based on the average number of weekly working hours from the ONS), which means workers in the energy supply industry earn over £28,000 more annually, at £51,886 on average.
According to the ONS figures, financial and insurance activities businesses offer prospective employees a compelling package, paying £25.89 per hour for an average working week of just 35 hours. However, as with any sector, factors like age, role, and experience can cause significant variations in this average. In addition, industry surveys tell another story regarding hours, with a recent report suggesting that investment bankers work up to 52.6 hours per week.3
This suggests that regular overtime may be going unlogged. Research by the FSSC has highlighted a skills gap in this sector, especially in fintech roles, which this high level of overtime could be contributing to by driving away talent.4 By prioritising high hourly pay and controlled workloads, firms can differentiate themselves in a tight labour market, attracting experienced professionals who value reward and work-life balance.
The information and communication industry offers the third-highest hourly rate, at £23.56 on average, and a work week of 37.5 hours. This higher compensation reflects the complex and highly regulated nature of many roles within the sector, such as cybersecurity and data governance. In an ever-evolving sector, professionals are required to maintain up-to-date knowledge of threats and technologies and compliance standards, demanding a lot of expertise and ongoing training.
Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business bank accounts expert, comments on other factors that are important to workers in the current business landscape:
“Attracting and retaining high-quality talent doesn’t just come down to salary – it’s also about meeting evolving expectations around working conditions. Today’s employees are more willing to walk away from roles that don’t offer a healthy work-life balance or prioritise wellbeing. That means businesses need to offer more than just pay; they must create environments with manageable hours, flexibility, and genuine support.
“When companies get this right, they typically see lower staff turnover, higher engagement, and more consistent productivity, all of which feed into more stable operations and healthier cash flow. And with greater financial predictability comes the ability to plan and grow with confidence.”