Birmingham's wage struggles 2025: Brummies left behind as wages lag below UK average, latest ONS data shows

A new study has revealed that wages are rising across major UK cities, but Birmingham's pay growth is falling behind the national average.

While some areas have seen double-digit increases in hourly wages, workers in Birmingham continue to earn less than counterparts in other cities.

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While places like Crawley and York have seen some of the biggest pay rises, Birmingham's wage growth has been more modest.

The new study by Franchise Local analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to determine the UK cities where workers are seeing the biggest increases in hourly wages.

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Birmingham City Council states that the average hourly wage for workers in Birmingham is £15.44, with full-time employees earning £17.03 per hour. Both figures remain below the UK averages of £17.09 and £18.72.

Birmingham's industrial heritage, ongoing regeneration projects, and local employment trends all play a role in shaping pay levels. Despite efforts to boost the economy, wage growth remains slow. Experts suggest that investment in high-paying industries and skills development could help address the gap.

With wages continuing to rise in key sectors nationwide, Birmingham faces a challenge in ensuring local workers see similar benefits.