Overview
Birmingham is the UK's second largest city undergoing significant regeneration with growing financial services and digital sectors.
The median salary in Birmingham is £33,200 per year. With a cost of living index of 68/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £800/month, residents typically retain £25,100 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Birmingham vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Birmingham 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 Birmingham
| Job Title | Avg in Birmingham | UK Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | £170,000 | £180,000 | |
| Chief Technology Officer | £160,000 | £170,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £150,000 | £160,000 | |
| Chief Operating Officer | £145,000 | £155,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £138,000 | £145,000 | |
| Chief Marketing Officer | £135,000 | £145,000 | |
| Consultant Doctor | £120,000 | £120,000 | |
| Managing Director | £115,000 | £125,000 |
Birmingham Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £33,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 68/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £800/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £25,100/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.9% |
| Population | 2.6 million |
Top Industries in Birmingham
Manufacturing
Finance
Retail
Healthcare
Engineering
Major Employers in Birmingham
HSBC
Lloyds
NHS
Jaguar Land Rover
KPMG
Compare Birmingham with Other Cities
Birmingham vs London
£33,200 vs £52,800
Compare →
Birmingham vs Manchester
£33,200 vs £36,500
Compare →
Birmingham vs Edinburgh
£33,200 vs £38,900
Compare →
Birmingham vs Bristol
£33,200 vs £38,200
Compare →
Birmingham vs Leeds
£33,200 vs £34,800
Compare →
Birmingham vs Glasgow
£33,200 vs £35,200
Compare →
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk