Overview
Bristol consistently ranks as one of the UK's best cities for quality of life with above-average salaries and a booming tech sector.
The median salary in Bristol is £38,200 per year. With a cost of living index of 78/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £1,100/month, residents typically retain £26,500 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Bristol vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Bristol 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 Bristol
| Job Title | Avg in Bristol | UK Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | £180,000 | £180,000 | |
| Chief Technology Officer | £170,000 | £170,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £160,000 | £160,000 | |
| Chief Operating Officer | £155,000 | £155,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £148,000 | £145,000 | |
| Chief Marketing Officer | £145,000 | £145,000 | |
| Managing Director | £125,000 | £125,000 | |
| Consultant Doctor | £123,000 | £120,000 |
Bristol Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £38,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 78/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £1,100/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £26,500/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 5.1% |
| Population | 470,000 |
Top Industries in Bristol
Aerospace
Technology
Creative
Finance
Healthcare
Major Employers in Bristol
Airbus
Rolls-Royce
NHS
Hargreaves Lansdown
EDF
Compare Bristol with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk