The figures in this factsheet are based upon the median earnings in pounds for people employed (workplace based) in the area who are on adult rates of pay and whose pay was not affected by absence. Figures for earnings come from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The ASHE is based on a 1 per cent sample of employees, information on whose earnings and hours is obtained from employers. The survey does not cover the self-employed.

Average Earnings are calculated as nominal unadjusted average weekly earnings, divided by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The data series is calculated for regular and total pay at the whole economy level and then seasonally adjusted.

Key Messages:

  • Total annual pay in County Durham increased  between 2009 and 2023, from £18,817 to £26,845, an increase of 42.3%. Across the region median pay increased by 40.6% rising to £26,959. Pay across England remained higher at £29,919 in 2023 and has increased by 38% since 2009,
  • Full-time annual pay in County Durham increased by 43.3% between 2009 and 2023, rising to £31,218. This is higher than the increase seen across the region (37.6%), and that nationally (34.3%). Gross full-time annual pay in County Durham was 11.1% lower than in England which was £35,100 in 2023,
  • (2010/2023 data unavailable) Part-time annual pay in County Durham increased by 63.5% between 2010 and 2022, rising to £12,770. This is higher than the increase seen across the region (52%), and that nationally (47.7%). Gross part-time annual pay in County Durham was 4.7% higher than in England which was £12,243 in 2022,
  • Male annual pay in County Durham increased by 46.3% between 2009 and 2023, rising to £31,970. This is higher than the increases seen across the region (32.7%) and that nationally (29.7%). Male annual pay in County Durham was 8.8% lower than in England which was £35,073 in 2023,
  • Female annual pay in County Durham increased by 43.8% between 2009 and 2023, rising to £22,659. This is lower than the increases seen across the region (51.4%) and that nationally (51.8%). Female annual pay in County Durham was 8.2% lower than in England which was £24,674 in 2023.  Female annual pay in County Durham was 41.1% lower than male pay in 2023 compared with 42.1% lower across England,
  • In the latest release (2021/22), estimates suggested that less than around 1 in 6 male jobs, 14.3%, in County Durham earned less than the £9.90 (outside London) hourly rate set by the Living Wage Foundation. This is higher than the 12.5% estimated across the North East and the 10% across England. Recent estimates suggest that these proportions area falling. (ONS bespoke research commissioned by the Living Wage Foundation.),
  • In the latest release (2021/22), estimates suggested that around 1 in 5 of female jobs, 18.9%, in County Durham earned less than the £9.90 (outside London) hourly rate set by the Living Wage Foundation. This is higher than the 16.9% estimated across the North East and the 15.1% across England. Recent estimates suggest that these proportions are falling. (ONS bespoke research commissioned by the Living Wage Foundation.)

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