Understanding the Project Coordinator Salary: Hourly, Weekly, and Annual Pay in the UK

Understanding the Project Coordinator Salary: Hourly, Weekly, and Annual Pay

When searching for a project coordinator role in the UK, you will encounter salary figures expressed in different ways: hourly rates, weekly earnings, and annual salaries. Each tells a different story about what you might take home. This guide breaks down the project coordinator salary using the most recent public data, including statutory minimum wage rates, advertised roles, and national earnings averages.

The National Minimum Wage Context

Before looking at advertised salaries, it is helpful to know the legal minimum pay you must receive. From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour, as confirmed by the Low Pay Commission. For those aged 18 to 20, the rate is £10.85 per hour, and for under-18s and apprentices, it is £8.00 per hour. These are the absolute minimums; most project coordinator roles pay above these rates, but understanding the baseline helps you assess any offer.

For a full-time worker on a 37.5-hour week, the National Living Wage equates to an annual salary of about £24,785. The typical project coordinator salary is well above this, but junior or part-time positions may be closer to the minimum.

Advertised Project Coordinator Salaries

According to IT Jobs Watch, the median project coordinator salary in the UK is £30,000 per year, based on 97 salaries quoted in permanent job vacancies over the six months to October 2026. The 10th percentile is £28,800 and the 90th percentile is £42,535. This suggests that while many roles cluster around £30,000, there is room for progression, especially with experience or in higher-paying sectors.

A real-world example from the NHS shows a project coordinator role in Newcastle upon Tyne advertised at Band 5, with a salary range of £29,970 to £36,483 per year. This aligns closely with the IT Jobs Watch median and demonstrates that public sector roles can offer competitive pay, often with additional benefits like pension contributions and annual leave.

It is important to note that the median salary for all permanent jobs in the UK is £58,500, so project coordinator roles are typically below the national median. However, they often serve as a stepping stone into project management, where salaries can be significantly higher.

Hourly vs Weekly vs Annual: Making Sense of the Numbers

When you see a project coordinator salary advertised as an annual figure, you can convert it to an hourly or weekly rate to compare with minimum wage or other jobs. For example, a £30,000 annual salary based on a 37.5-hour week (the standard full-time contract in many sectors) gives an hourly rate of approximately £15.38. This is well above the National Living Wage of £12.71.

However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that median weekly earnings for all full-time employees in the UK were £766.60 in April 2025, and median gross annual earnings were £39,039. A project coordinator earning £30,000 annually would have weekly earnings of about £577, which is below the national median. This does not mean the role is poorly paid; it simply reflects that project coordinator positions are often entry- or mid-level roles within a wider career ladder.

For part-time or flexible roles, hourly rates become more important. Always check the number of contracted hours per week when evaluating a salary. The on-site reference DB provides average weekly earnings of £745/week as a public orientation figure, but your actual pay will depend on your specific contract.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

The salary figures quoted in job adverts are gross annual salaries – the amount before deductions. Your take-home pay will be lower after income tax, National Insurance, and any pension contributions. For a £30,000 salary in the 2026/27 tax year, you would pay roughly £4,486 in income tax and £2,532 in National Insurance, leaving a net annual income of about £22,982, or £1,915 per month. These are rough estimates and will vary based on your tax code and pension scheme.

Additionally, some employers offer benefits that effectively increase your total compensation, such as pension matching, health insurance, or bonuses. When comparing job offers, consider the whole package, not just the headline salary.

Where to Find More Information

For the latest statutory minimum wage rates, visit the UK Minimum Wage page. If you want to explore typical salaries for different roles, our pay guides section provides detailed breakdowns. You can also check pay data for anonymised salary information from UK workers.

Summary

The project coordinator salary in the UK typically falls between £28,000 and £42,500, with a median of £30,000. This is above the National Living Wage but below the national median for all full-time employees. When evaluating a role, consider the hourly equivalent, the number of contracted hours, and the total benefits package. Always check the current statutory rates on the UK Minimum Wage page to ensure you are being paid at least the legal minimum.

Remember that salary data from job boards and surveys are snapshots; your actual offer will depend on your skills, experience, location, and the employer’s budget. Use the figures in this guide as a starting point for your negotiations.