Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks vs Skilled trades occupations Salary

How do Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks and Skilled trades occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown using the latest ONS data.

Skilled trades occupations earns £6,418 more per year (23% higher)

Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks

£28,501
per year (gross)
Take-home: £24,040
vs

Skilled trades occupations

£34,919
per year (gross)
Take-home: £28,661

Detailed Comparison

MetricBook-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerksSkilled trades occupationsDifference
Median Annual£28,501£34,919-£6,418
Mean Annual£29,325£36,896-£7,571
Take-Home (Net)£24,040£28,661-£4,621
Monthly (Gross)£2,375£2,910-£535
Weekly (Gross)£548£672-£124
Hourly£13.70£16.79-£3.09

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileBook-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerksSkilled trades occupations
10th (Entry)£11,229£19,202
25th£21,002£27,269
50th (Median)£28,501£34,919
75th£36,234£44,593
90th (Senior)£47,499£56,036

Compare Other Jobs

vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks or a Skilled trades occupations?
A Skilled trades occupations earns more. The median salary for a Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks is £28,501, whilst a Skilled trades occupations earns £34,919 — a difference of £6,418 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks and a Skilled trades occupations?
The difference is £6,418 per year. Skilled trades occupations is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks takes home approximately £24,040 per year, whilst a Skilled trades occupations takes home £28,661. The net difference is £4,621.
Should I become a Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks or a Skilled trades occupations?
From a salary perspective, Skilled trades occupations offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

More Comparisons