Manchester · Entry-level · 2026

£38,500 Software Engineer
in Manchester

A entry-level Manchester software engineer earning £38,500 takes home £2,603/month after tax and NI. Average 1-bed rent is £1,050/month, leaving £1,553/month after rent — a tight financial position for Manchester's cost base.

Gross
£38,500
entry-level
Net monthly
£2,603
after tax & NI
After rent
£1,553
per month
Savings est.
£585
per month
Stretched — rent takes 40% of take-home. Consider a shared house or outer-area flat.

Monthly Budget — Entry-level Software Engineer in Manchester

Item Monthly
Gross annual salary £38,500/yr
Income tax −£432/mo
National Insurance −£173/mo
Net monthly take-home £2,603/mo
Rent (1-bed median) −£1,050/mo
Council tax −£128/mo
Transport −£75/mo
Groceries & utilities −£425/mo
Estimated monthly savings £585/mo

Tax computed using HMRC 2025/26 rates. Rent = Rightmove Q4 2025 median. Savings estimate deducts a £340 misc. buffer from remaining income.

Software Engineer Salary Range in Manchester

This page shows the entry-level salary (£38,500) — 70% of the median (£55,000).

P25 — Lower quartile
£45,000
25% earn less than this
Median — 50th percentile
£55,000
midpoint of all earners
P75 — Upper quartile
£70,000
25% earn more than this

Compare by Experience Level

Entry — £38,500 Mid — £55,000 Senior — £77,000

vs Manchester City Median

Entry-level Software Engineer
£38,500
vs
Manchester all-worker median
£32,760
18% above Manchester median

Make the Most of Your Salary

Best match
Amex Gold
Earn Membership Rewards on everyday spending. Min. income: £20,000.
Apply Now
Popular
Barclaycard Avios
Collect Avios on every purchase. Ideal for Manchester-based professionals.
Apply Now
Fee-free
Chase Cashback
1% cashback on all debit card spending. No annual fee, no minimum income.
Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is £38,500 a good software engineer salary in Manchester? +
£38,500 is the entry-level software engineer salary in Manchester, representing 70% of the median (£55,000). Net take-home is £2,603/month after tax and NI. Rent-to-income is 40%tight. At 18% above the Manchester all-worker median of £32,760, this is a competitive salary for the city.
What is the average software engineer salary in Manchester? +
The median Manchester software engineer salary is £55,000 (LinkedIn 2025). The lower quartile (P25) is £45,000 and the upper quartile (P75) is £70,000. Entry-level roles typically start around £38,500, while senior professionals reach £77,000.
How much can a software engineer in Manchester save each month? +
On £38,500 in Manchester, after rent (£1,050/mo), council tax (£128/mo), transport (£75/mo) and groceries & utilities (£425/mo), estimated monthly savings capacity is approximately £585/month.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a software engineer in Manchester? +
On £38,500 in Manchester, the rent-to-income ratio for a 1-bed flat is 40%. The guideline for comfortable solo living is under 33%. To achieve a 33% RTI on a Manchester 1-bed (£1,050/mo), you need approximately £38,000 gross annual salary.

Related Pages

Can I afford Manchester on £40,000? Software Engineer salary hub Software Engineer salary in Manchester Compare: Manchester vs London