Record Low for Low-Paid Jobs in Northern Ireland, But Still Highest in UK
The proportion of low-paid jobs in Northern Ireland fell to a record low of 4.7% but remains the highest across the UK’s twelve regions. The metric defining low pay includes those earning less than two-thirds of the UK’s average hourly wage, which stood at £11.39 in 2024. This change coincides with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of an increased National Living Wage, set to rise to £12.21 per hour by April 2025, benefiting over a million workers in low-income brackets (BBC reports).
Increases in Weekly Earnings and Regional Disparities
Average weekly earnings in Northern Ireland grew by £8 over the past year to reach £666 in April 2024, representing a 1.2% increase when adjusted for inflation. Despite this growth, Northern Ireland’s rate of increase was among the lowest across UK regions, and its average earnings are now the third lowest in the UK, with London topping the list at £906 per week and the North East at the bottom with £651.
Annual and Sector-Specific Earnings Variations
Annual earnings for full-time employees in Northern Ireland averaged £34,400 in 2024, which is £3,000 lower than the UK-wide average of £37,400. However, wage growth varied significantly across sectors. For example, earnings in the public sector declined by 2.8% once adjusted for inflation, contrasting with a 3.5% increase in the private sector. It’s noted that recent public sector pay increases are not reflected in this data.
Industry and Regional Wage Differences
Earnings also vary by industry and location within Northern Ireland. The information and communications sector had the highest wages, with weekly earnings reaching £818, up 4.8% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the accommodation and food services industry had the lowest average weekly earnings at £511, though this sector saw the highest year-on-year growth, with a 13% increase.
Within Northern Ireland, employees working in Belfast earned the most, with weekly earnings averaging £718, while those in the Causeway Coast and Glens area earned the least at £559.
