Scots pay 'up 23% in five years'

The average full-time salary in Scotland increased by more than a fifth over the past five years, new figures have suggested.

The Bank of Scotland said workers now took home £28,296 on average, compared with £23,080 in 2003 - a total increase of 23%.

The growth in earnings was not met by the same rise in retail prices, which went up by 18%.

Wages rose by the most in Aberdeen and saw the slowest increase in Moray.

According to the figures, earnings in Aberdeen went from £25,455 five years ago to the national high of £35,959 in 2008 - an increase of 41%.

TOP TEN HIGHEST WAGES BY LOCAL AUTHORITY

• Aberdeen City: £35,959
• City of Edinburgh: £33,004
• Shetland Islands: £29,219
• Aberdeenshire: £29,048
• North Lanarkshire: £28,901
• East Lothian: £28,511
• Glasgow City: £28,400
• East Dunbartonshire: £27,903
• West Lothian: £27,318
• Orkney Islands: £27,309

Bank of Scotland chief economist Martin Ellis said: "Average earnings in Scotland have risen by more than retail prices over the past five years, indicating an increase in living standards for the typical worker.

"The highest average earnings are for those working in Aberdeen City, where the average annual salary has risen by almost twice the Scottish average."

Workers in the Orkney Islands recorded the second highest growth (38%) followed by Aberdeenshire and North Ayrshire (both 32%).

Overall, Scotland saw the joint-second highest growth in average earnings in the whole of Britain, alongside the East Midlands.

The Bank of Scotland analysed official earnings data from the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.

The data relates to all full-time employees on adult pay.

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