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Data on average hourly, weekly and annual earnings in the UK down to local authority level for 2020.

The survey provides information about the levels, distribution and make-up of earnings and hours worked for employees in all industries and occupations.

Statistics from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) relate to the pay period that includes 22 April 2020, at which time approximately 8.8 million employees were furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, in the UK. The estimates from ASHE include furloughed employees.

Main points

Full-time weekly earnings

Median gross weekly earnings for full-time adults working in Wales were £537.8 in April 2020. This was 91.9% of the average for the UK (£585.5). Median gross weekly earnings in Wales were the third lowest amongst the 12 UK countries and English regions.

Median gross weekly earnings for full-time adults working in Wales increased by 0.6% between 2019 and 2020, compared to a 5.1% increase between 2018 and 2019.

The UK increased by 0.1% over the year. Wales had the fifth highest percentage change amongst the 12 UK countries and English regions.

Gender pay gap

Evidence from the ASHE and the Labour Force Survey suggests that coronavirus (COVID-19) factors have not yet had a notable impact on the gender pay gap in the UK in 2020.

The gender pay gap on a median hourly full-time basis (excluding overtime) in April 2020 was 4.3% in Wales and 7.4% in the UK. In Wales the gap has narrowed by 1.9 percentage points and in the UK it has narrowed by 1.6 percentage points.

For part time employees women earn more than men, resulting in a negative pay gap. The gender pay gap on a median hourly part-time basis (excluding overtime) in April 2020 stood at -1.5% in Wales and -2.9% in the UK. In Wales the gap has narrowed by 0.3 percentage points and in the UK it narrowed by 0.6 percentage points. The part time pay gap below the UK level can be volatile.

Residence based earnings

Median full-time weekly earnings for those living in Wales increased by 0.3% (to £541.7) over the year. The level in 2020 was 92.5% of the UK average.

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Contact

Vanessa Allis

Telephone: 0300 025 9019

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau a gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg / We welcome calls and correspondence in Welsh.

Media

Telephone: 0300 025 8099

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau yn Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.