Scotland‘s cities have secured a strong position in the UK’s wage rankings, with new research highlighting their growing economic presence. A recent report reveals regional salary disparities, offering insights into the factors driving higher wages and the challenges in bridging the gap nationwide.
Scottish Cities Lead Outside Greater South East
New research from the Centre for Cities think tank has revealed that Edinburgh and Aberdeen rank among the top 10 UK cities for the highest average salaries, outside the economically dominant Greater South East region of England. The findings, published in the Cities Outlook 2025 report, underscore Scotland’s role in offering competitive wages, alongside a limited number of cities outside London and its neighbouring regions.
Workers in Edinburgh earn an average weekly wage of £785.50, amounting to an annual figure of £40,846, while their counterparts in Aberdeen receive £765.80 weekly, translating to an annual sum of £39,822. This positions these cities seventh and tenth respectively in the UK’s salary rankings.
However, the average salary in Scotland is still far less than that of London, where weekly wages average £950.20 and yearly salaries can exceed £49,455. According to the study, the average yearly wage difference between Scotland and London is £13,800. The following were the top ten UK cities with the highest average workplace wages:
- London – £49,455
- Slough – £48,110
- Crawley – £45,204
- Reading – £44,586
- Cambridge – £44,075
- Aldershot – £41,723
- Edinburgh – £40,846
- Milton Keynes – £40,596
- Oxford – £40,404
- Aberdeen – £39,822
Economic Factors Driving Wage Disparities
The report attributes the wage disparities across the UK to differences in the export sector’s contribution to local economies. Cities with larger export bases, particularly in the Greater South East, tend to offer higher wages. This economic advantage leaves regions like Scotland striving to attract high-value industries and cutting-edge companies to boost local incomes.
Centre for Cities Chief Executive Andrew Carter emphasised the urgency of driving economic growth to ensure higher wages across the UK. He stated, “The UK Government is right to identify boosting economic growth for every part of the country as a top priority. It is the only sustainable route to higher wages. The UK Government is right to identify boosting economic growth for every part of the country as a top priority. It is the only sustainable route to higher wages”
Scottish Employment Minister Tom Arthur highlighted Scotland’s progress, noting, “Last year, median gross weekly pay for full-time employees was higher in Scotland than in the UK overall. Scotland was also the third highest of the 12 nations and regions in the UK on this measure, behind only London and the south-east of England.”
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