Overview
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and financial centre with above-average UK salaries and a thriving technology and fintech scene.
The median salary in Edinburgh is £38,900 per year. With a cost of living index of 79/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £1,050/month, residents typically retain £27,500 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Edinburgh vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh
| Job Title | Avg in Edinburgh | UK Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | £190,000 | £180,000 | |
| Chief Technology Officer | £180,000 | £170,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £170,000 | £160,000 | |
| Chief Operating Officer | £165,000 | £155,000 | |
| Chief Marketing Officer | £155,000 | £145,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £150,000 | £145,000 | |
| Managing Director | £135,000 | £125,000 | |
| Consultant Doctor | £125,000 | £120,000 |
Edinburgh Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £38,900 |
| Cost of Living Index | 79/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £1,050/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £27,500/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.5% |
| Population | 540,000 |
Top Industries in Edinburgh
Financial Services
Tourism
Technology
Education
Life Sciences
Major Employers in Edinburgh
RBS
Standard Life
Amazon
NHS Scotland
Skyscanner
Compare Edinburgh with Other Cities
Edinburgh vs London
£38,900 vs £52,800
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Edinburgh vs Manchester
£38,900 vs £36,500
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Edinburgh vs Birmingham
£38,900 vs £33,200
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Edinburgh vs Leeds
£38,900 vs £34,800
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Edinburgh vs Glasgow
£38,900 vs £35,200
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Edinburgh vs Liverpool
£38,900 vs £31,500
Compare →
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk