5 signs you’re being underpaid compared to other workers your age

Being underpaid is never a nice feeling (Picture: Shutterstock / Pheelings media) There’s nothing quite as demoralising as scrolling through LinkedIn only to spot a role identical to your own, offering a salary much higher. The situation is made even worse when you know you’re working harder than ever, but your income hasn’t budged. Recent ONS figures showed that UK wage growth slowed to 3.8% in the three months to January 2026, its lowest level in more than five years. Between wage stagnation, rising living costs, and the fact we Brits just don’t like to talk money, it’s hard to work out whether you’re being properly compensated for the work that you do. Metro asked global employment specialist, Martin Balcombe, to share the key warning signs that you’re being underpaid and, crucially, how to get more. Your responsibilities have increased, but your salary hasn’t Martin explains that if you are taking on more ‘complex’ tasks or have ‘greater accountability’ in your role, but aren’t being paid for the additional work you’re putting in, this could be a red flag and it could be time to ask for an increase in pay. New vacancies at your company offer more for similar work If new starters at your company are being offered higher salaries for ‘comparable roles,’ Martin says, this could mean you’re being underpaid and your wage could have ‘fallen behind the company’s current rates,’ and not caught up yet. This can be checked by looking at your company’s online listings, or asking your colleagues – though this can be awkward, it could benefit you in the long term. Comparable roles repeatedly advertise significantly higher salaries If you are regularly seeing similar positions, such as on job boards, offering better pay than your current salary, this could suggest that your salary is below market rate and needs to be flagged to your employer. Are you being overworked for the same pay? (Picture: Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov) You have gained valuable skills or qualifications without a salary review Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Perhaps you have gained strengths along the way, or trained for certain qualifications that positively impact your job output. If so, it’s not unreasonable to be compensated for the extra merit you bring to the company. ‘New expertise may have increased your value,’ Martin says. ‘Particularly if you are now using it to benefit the business.’ If this is you, it may be time to ask for a raise to reflect the skills you have brought to the organisation. Your employer avoids giving clear criteria for reaching the next pay level Have you already asked for a pay rise and haven’t gotten a clear answer? This is a major red flag, according to the expert. If your employer is giving ‘vague answers or constantly changing targets, this could indicate there is no genuine plan for your salary to progress,’ Martin notes. How much do other people my age earn? Age 18-24: £1,868 per month Many people in their teens will work in part-time or weekend jobs, earning an average of around £468 per month, according to the ONS’s September 2026 figures. In your 20s, this jumps up to around £1,868. ‘For many, their 20s involve moving from entry-level employment into roles requiring greater experience and responsibility,’ says Martin. ‘However, that pay increase rarely happens automatically. ‘There’s an assumption that working hard and staying loyal means your salary will rise at the right pace. That isn’t always true.’ Age 25-34: £2,845 per month ‘By their 30s, workers are often expected to earn more, lead a team, buy property and build a pension, all at once,’ the expert notes. But that figure ‘hides considerable differences between industries, locations and circumstances,’ Martin adds. ‘Salary comparison can become particularly intense in your 30s, when people assume your earnings should reflect years of uninterrupted progression,’ he continues. ‘But careers are rarely that neat. People retrain, have children, relocate, experience illness or choose greater flexibility. None of that means they have failed.’ Having children can affect your salary, but the trade-off is worth it for many people (Picture: Shutterstock / NDAB Creativity) Age 35-49: £3,086 per month In your late 30s and 40s, you are more seasoned, but ‘experience does not always guarantee fair pay,’ Martin explains. ‘Long-serving employees can discover that newer colleagues earn more because market rates have increased while their own salary has barely moved. This is known as salary compression, where the pay gap between experienced and newer employees becomes unexpectedly small.’ Want to figure out if this has happened to you? Martin recommends checking similar vacancies, and if they consistently offer significantly more, it provides a ‘much more useful comparison than a broad national average.’ Age 50-64: £2,717 per month Older age ‘does not necessarily represent pay cuts,’ Martin explains. ‘The group may include more people reducing their hours, changing careers or prioritising flexibility as retirement approaches. ‘We often imagine earnings as a staircase, rising with every birthday and promotion. In reality, pay can plateau or fall for many reasons. ‘What matters is whether that was a genuine choice or whether their experience is being undervalued.’ Age brings experience, but the pay doesn’t always reflect that (Picture: Shutterstock / insta_photos) How do I ask for more money at work? If you’re seeking a raise, go into a salary conversation with evidence, Martin says. ‘Make a clear list of how your role has changed, the results you have delivered and what comparable positions currently pay.’ Plus, outlining comparable salaries both within the company and with other organisations. ‘Keep a record of measurable results, positive feedback and responsibilities you have taken on,’ the expert recommends. ‘Rather than saying you have worked hard, show how you have saved time, increased revenue, improved performance or supported colleagues.’ If an immediate raise is not possible, Martin advises asking what needs to happen for one to be approved in the future and agree on a specific review date. If your manager remains vague or dismisses the conversation, follow up in writing and ask for measurable criteria. ‘Repeated promises without a timeline may show that progression is unlikely to happen.’ What counts as a 'good' salary in 2026? The median annual salary for a full-time UK employee reached £39,039 in 2025, up 4.3%. Meanwhile, workers needed to earn around £77,000 to enter the highest-paid 10%, according to ONS figures reported by Reuters. ‘A “good” salary is not one fixed number,’ Martin notes. ‘Someone earning £35,000 while living with family may have more disposable income than somebody earning £50,000 and renting alone in London.’ He adds: ‘Pension contributions, annual leave, flexibility, working hours and progression opportunities all matter. ‘A higher salary can quickly become less attractive if it involves an expensive commute, unpaid overtime and very little security.’ Deals of the Day Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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