Overview
Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe with above-average salaries driven by the energy sector despite a challenging transition period.
The median salary in Aberdeen is £40,000 per year. With a cost of living index of 76/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £900/month, residents typically retain £28,200 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Aberdeen vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Aberdeen is highlighted.
London
100
Edinburgh
79
Bristol
78
Manchester
72
Leeds
70
Birmingham
68
Cardiff
66
Liverpool
65
Sheffield
63
Newcastle
61
Best Paying Jobs in Aberdeen
Full city salary breakdown coming soon. Browse all UK salary guides →
Aberdeen Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 76/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £900/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £28,200/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 3.2% |
| Population | 228,000 |
Top Industries in Aberdeen
Oil & Gas
Healthcare
Education
Technology
Finance
Major Employers in Aberdeen
NHS Scotland
BP
Shell
University of Aberdeen
Robert Gordon University
Compare Aberdeen with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk