How Much Can You Earn as a Bookkeeper? UK Salary Guide

Whether you’re working for an employer, freelancing, or running your own practice, bookkeeping can be a flexible, in-demand career with high earning potential.

However, bookkeeper salaries can vary widely depending on your qualifications, experience, location, and the type of role you choose. Understanding these factors is key to planning your next career move and setting realistic income expectations.

In this salary guide, we break down how much you can earn as a bookkeeper across the UK, highlighting the key factors that could influence your pay.

Bookkeeper Salaries Across the UK

To bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information, the salaries referenced in this blog are based on those found in the 2025 Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends Report.

If you’re after the latest insights into salaries for roles across various sectors in the UK, this report is an invaluable resource as you develop your career.

1. Bookkeeper Salaries in England

London

Bookkeepers working in London typically earn some of the highest salaries in the UK. This increased earning potential reflects London weighting, which raises pay to account for the capital’s higher cost of living and strong demand for experienced finance professionals.

Despite the higher living costs, London remains one of the most competitive and well-paid locations for its variety of bookkeeping roles.

Salary range: £35,000 to £45,000

Salary average: £40,000

South East England

In the South East England region, which includes counties like Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex, you can expect to earn a bookkeeper salary that reflects a mix of higher-paying roles close to London and more modest salaries in rural or coastal areas.

Salary range: £28,000 to £38,000

Salary average: £34,000

South West England

Counties such as Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall (which make up the South West of England) tend to offer slightly lower average salaries than some other parts of the UK. This is largely due to lower living costs and fewer large employers compared to major cities.

Salary range: £30,000 to £35,000

Salary average: £30,000

East of England

The East of England, which includes the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, is a popular area for bookkeepers, due to the reasonable salaries the region offers.

Salary range: £28,000 to £35,000

Salary average: £33,000

West Midlands

As the second most populous region after Greater London, the West Midlands offers one of the widest salary ranges for bookkeeping roles in the UK. This reflects the region’s diverse economy and mix of employers, making it well-suited to bookkeepers at every stage of their career, from entry-level positions to more experienced roles.

Salary range: £27,000 to £34,000

Salary average: £30,000

East Midlands

Counties such as Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Rutland can be promising locations for bookkeepers at the start of their career, offering a good range of entry-level opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in a supportive job market.

Salary range: £27,000 to £33,000

Salary average: £29,000

North East England

Reflecting its distance from London, the North East typically offers lower average salaries for bookkeeping roles compared to other parts of the UK.

However, this can also mean that employers may place less emphasis on extensive experience, making the region a good option for those looking to secure an entry-level role and build their career.

Salary range: £28,000 to £33,000

Salary average: £30,000

North West England

Made up of major urban centres such as Greater Manchester and Merseyside, alongside counties including Cheshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire, the North West is the third most populated region in the UK.

Experienced bookkeepers in the North West can expect to earn competitive salaries that reflect strong demand for skilled finance professionals, combined with a lower cost of living than London and the South East. This balance makes North West England an attractive and accessible location for those looking to progress their bookkeeping career and maximise earning potential outside the capital.

Salary range: £30,000 to £35,000

Salary average: £32,000

2. Bookkeeper Salaries in Scotland

Covering almost a third of the UK’s total landmass, Scotland offers a diverse mix of employment opportunities for bookkeepers, from major cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh to smaller towns and rural areas. This variety contributes to a broad number of roles across different industries and businesses.

While salaries may sit slightly below the UK’s highest-paying regions, this is often balanced by Scotland's reduced housing and living expenses, as well as strong demand for finance professionals across both the public and private sectors.

As a result, Scotland can be an appealing option if you're a bookkeeper seeking stable career progression and a better work–life balance.

Salary range: £26,000 to £35,000

Salary average: £28,000

3. Bookkeeper Salaries in Wales

Wales offers a growing range of opportunities for bookkeepers, particularly in cities such as Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport, alongside a strong presence of small and medium-sized businesses across the country. This mix creates steady demand for bookkeeping skills across multiple sectors.

While pay levels may be more modest for a bookkeeper in Wales, reduced housing and commuting costs often help balance overall earning potential. The region can also be a strong option for early-career bookkeepers or those seeking long-term stability and progression without the pressure of higher living expenses.

Salary range: £25,000 to £33,000

On average: £27,000

4. Bookkeeper Salaries in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has a smaller but well-established finance and business sector, with most bookkeeping roles concentrated within Belfast and the surrounding areas. Bookkeeper salaries in Northern Ireland tend to reflect the region’s lower living costs and smaller job market compared to the rest of the UK.

While average pay is typically lower than in England and Scotland, there's less competition for roles, making it an accessible entry point for new bookkeepers. 

Salary range: £24,000 to £34,000

On average: £29,000

Becoming a Bookkeeper in the UK

Whether you’re new to bookkeeping or already an experienced professional, the UK offers plenty of opportunities for career progression and long-term earning potential. With demand for skilled bookkeepers across a wide range of industries, there are clear pathways to grow your skills and increase your income over time.

We hope this blog has helped you gain a clearer understanding of what you can earn as a bookkeeper across the UK, and where the best opportunities might be to take the next step in your career.

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