Top brass enjoy bigger pay rise than employees
Executives and senior officials enjoyed a larger pay rise than their juniors between 2025 and 2026, an analysis of official data has shown, even as the national minimum wage was hiked. An analysis of pay growth by the Office for National Statistics has shown that median weekly earnings grew by 6.7 per cent for managers, [...]
Between 2025 and 2026, executives and senior officials received a larger pay increase compared to their junior colleagues, even with the national minimum wage hike, according to an analysis by the Office for National Statistics. Median weekly earnings surged by 6.7% for managers, directors, and senior officials, outpacing the 5% rise for workers in most other roles.
Full-time employees in professional occupations experienced a 5% pay hike, while those in elementary jobs, including cleaners and delivery drivers, saw their pay increase by approximately 4.7%. Sales and customer service employees, as well as those in caring and other service jobs, benefited from a rise of just over 5% during the same period.
Londoners saw the highest average pay increase at 8.2%, compared to less than 7% in other regions. The ONS data highlights the substantial pay packages granted to top company bosses at major firms, such as Astrazeneca and Shell, as well as small businesses. Public sector workers, including those working at entities like the Financial Conduct Authority, also enjoyed significant pay increases.
Chief executives and senior officials in the information and technology sector earned an average of £98,127, while top executives in marketing, sales, and logistics and warehousing earned £95,898. Specialist medical practitioners, part of the professional occupations category, had the highest average salary among the data analyzed by the ONS.
Public sector pay growth surpassed private sector wage increases in every three-month period since March 2025. This trend has put pressure on the Office for Budget Responsibility, as economists warn that large pay increases could strain public spending. Chancellor John Healey may face limited room to maneuver due to the substantial pay hikes for public sector workers, including teachers, according to the Resolution Foundation.
Recent data for the June to August period suggests that employees in businesses across the UK may face a decline in real terms pay in the upcoming months.
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