What is a top 2% salary in the UK?

“Top 2% salary”

” depends on the dataset being used. Some figures refer to employee earnings (PAYE jobs), while others include wider taxable income such as bonuses, dividends and rental income. It also varies depending on whether the measure looks at full-time employees only, or everyone in work.

As a practical rule of thumb, once you’re into the high five figures you’re already well above average, and the top 2% tends to be into the low six figures. The exact threshold moves year to year and different sources won’t match perfectly.

If you’re using this to sense-check mortgage affordability, lenders won’t look at salary alone. They assess income stability, outgoings, credit commitments and affordability stress testing.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.