Average earnings across Britain

This is interesting and Barnsley came out higher than I expected. But what is it with Copeland in the north-west? I notice the area includes Seascale nuclear power station so I expect it's to do with that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/12/average-earnings_0_n_4430803.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

 

Four hundred and eighty six pounds per week for a full-time employed male? REALLY?? I'm miles short of that! Probably due to working for the NHS. If that is at the top of the note then I believe I am at least £150 short of that figure.

 

Thought Barnsley would be nailed on to be in the bottom grouping (Dark Blue) but according to these figures there are many places worse off.

I'd have a few questions about how this is compiled though:

- Is it a median salary or a straight average? If it's the latter, a small proportion of very high earners could be pushing the average up.
- Is it based on wages paid by Barnsley-based companies or could it be that people are working outside of the town but living here? Again, this could potentially put it up.

For Barnsley I don't do too bad but a lot of my mates earn pretty close to the minimum wage, the ones who earn the more enviable sums work in Leeds or Sheffield.

 

It will definitely be top of the note mate, one week per month you are working purely to give your earnings to the government.

 

This is gross earnings I assume?