SOC 1150 Corporate managers and directors

Managers and directors in retail and wholesale Salary

Median salary £36,006 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £36,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For managers and directors in retail and wholesale, £38,447 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -2.0% versus the national average. Experienced managers and directors in retail and wholesale (top 25%) earn over £49,897.

About this role

Managers and directors in retail and wholesale oversee retail or wholesale operations, managing stores, distribution networks and commercial strategy. They are responsible for sales performance, stock management, customer experience and team leadership across their operations.

Key responsibilities

Managing day-to-day retail or wholesale operations
Driving sales performance and achieving revenue targets
Overseeing stock management, merchandising and supply chain
Recruiting, training and managing staff
Ensuring compliance with consumer protection and health and safety regulations

Qualifications and entry routes

Significant retail management experience is essential. A degree in business, retail management or a related field is common but not always required. Professional qualifications from the BRC or similar bodies are valued.

Career outlook

Sector faces structural challenges from online retail, but demand remains for experienced managers who can navigate omnichannel strategies.

Key skills

Commercial awareness People management Stock and inventory management Customer experience P&L management

Common industries

High street retail
E-commerce
Wholesale distribution
FMCG
Supermarkets

Data coverage

SOC code 1150

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 336,000

Median Salary

£36,006

Mean Salary

£44,349

Jobs (000s)

336k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £20kP25: £28kMedian: £36kP75: £50kP90: £73k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£19,930

0-2 years

Mid Level

£27,540

3-7 years

Senior

£49,897

8-15 years

Leadership

£73,084

15+ years

Potential career growth: +267% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +49.2%Real growth: +8.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 21.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£36,006

Full-time Only

£38,447

Full-time premium: +£2,441

Managers and directors in retail and wholesale salary: common questions

How much do managers and directors in retail and wholesale earn in the UK?

Managers and directors in retail and wholesale earn a median of £38,447 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £27,540 and £49,897.

Is £38,447 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for managers and directors in retail and wholesale?

Entry-level managers and directors in retail and wholesale typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £27,540, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £19,930.

How much do the highest-paid managers and directors in retail and wholesale earn?

The best-paid 10% of managers and directors in retail and wholesale earn over £73,084 a year, and the top 25% over £49,897 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have managers and directors in retail and wholesale salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median managers and directors in retail and wholesale pay has risen from £25,831 to £38,447 — +49% in cash terms, or +8.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for managers and directors in retail and wholesale?

Male managers and directors in retail and wholesale earn a median £40,510 and female managers and directors in retail and wholesale £31,899 — a gap of +21% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).