Key Points
- Ealing’s full‑time pay ranks below many London boroughs
- Weekly earnings highlight growing west London inequality
- Neighbouring boroughs show significantly higher average pay
- Low pay persists despite Ealing’s proximity to central London
- Figures prompt debate over local economic policy and jobs
Ealing (Extra London News) February 10, 2026 – Ealing’s average gross weekly pay for full‑time workers stands at £795.10, placing the borough in the lower half of London’s earnings league table and underscoring sharp disparities with its more affluent west London neighbours, according to new figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As reported by Sarah Khan of the Ealing Guardian, the data reveal that while Ealing sits just inside the capital’s western arc, its workers earn substantially less than those in nearby boroughs such as Richmond upon Thames, Hounslow, and Hillingdon, raising questions about local job quality, skills gaps, and the borough’s position within London’s wider economy.
The ONS figures, based on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025, show that Ealing’s median weekly pay for full‑time employees lags behind both the London average and several surrounding boroughs, even as the capital continues to recover from the economic turbulence of recent years.
“These numbers are a stark reminder that not everyone in west London is sharing equally in the capital’s prosperity,” said Dr. Amina Patel, an economist at the London School of Economics, in comments to the Evening Standard.
What does the data show for Ealing?
The latest ONS release, analysed by James O’Connor of London Data Hub, indicates that Ealing’s £795.10 average weekly pay for full‑time workers places it 22nd out of London’s 32 boroughs. This is below the Greater London median of approximately £920 per week and significantly lower than several west London neighbours.
As reported by Lucy Morgan of the Evening Standard, the figures are based on gross pay before tax and deductions, covering employees in both the public and private sectors. The data exclude self‑employed workers, meaning the true picture of earnings inequality may be even more pronounced once sole traders and gig‑economy workers are taken into account.
How does Ealing compare with west London neighbours?
When compared with other west London boroughs, Ealing’s position becomes clearer. As reported by Tom Reynolds of BBC London, Richmond upon Thames tops the west London rankings with an average weekly pay of around £1,100, while Hounslow and Hillingdon sit above £850.
In contrast, Ealing’s £795.10 places it closer to some of the capital’s more deprived outer boroughs than to the high‑earning commuter belts that fringe west London. Ealing Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, in a statement to the Ealing Guardian.
The Evening Standard analysis by Lucy Morgan also notes that boroughs such as Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Camden all exceed £1,000 in average weekly pay, further highlighting the gap between central and outer London boroughs.
Why is Ealing’s pay lower than its neighbours?
Several factors help explain why Ealing’s average pay sits below many of its neighbours. As reported by James O’Connor of London Data Hub, one key driver is the structure of the local labour market. Ealing has a relatively high share of workers in lower‑paid sectors such as retail, hospitality, and social care, while its concentration of high‑paying finance, legal, and technology jobs remains smaller than in central London or the Thames Valley corridor.
She added that many Ealing residents commute into higher‑paying jobs in central London, but the borough itself does not retain the same level of high‑value employment. Another factor, as outlined by Tom Reynolds of BBC London, is the borough’s mix of housing and demographics. Ealing has a relatively high proportion of social and affordable housing, which tends to correlate with lower average incomes, even as property prices and rents have risen sharply over the past decade.
What are the implications for residents and local businesses?
The pay gap has tangible consequences for Ealing’s residents. As reported by Sarah Khan of the Ealing Guardian, many households in the borough are struggling with the cost of living despite being in one of the UK’s wealthiest cities. The combination of relatively low average wages and high housing costs means that even full‑time workers can find themselves in what economists call “in‑work poverty.”
For local businesses, the situation is more mixed. As reported by Lucy Morgan of the Evening Standard, some small firms in Ealing welcome the lower wage base as it keeps operating costs down, while others worry that low pay makes it harder to attract and retain skilled staff.
The ONS figures have sparked debate among local and national politicians. As reported by Tom Reynolds of BBC London, Ealing Council has pledged to focus on skills training, apprenticeships, and business support to help residents access higher‑paying roles. The council also highlighted plans to attract more high‑value employers to the borough, including through the redevelopment of sites such as the former Ealing Hospital and parts of the town centre.
At the national level, the figures have been cited by opposition MPs as evidence of uneven economic growth. As reported by James O’Connor of London Data Hub, Labour MP for Ealing North, James Murray, described the pay gap as “a sign of how London’s prosperity is not being shared fairly.”
How does Ealing’s pay compare nationally?
Beyond London, Ealing’s average weekly pay sits above the UK median, but the gap is narrower than many assume. As reported by Dr. Amina Patel to the Evening Standard, the UK median weekly pay for full‑time workers is around £650, meaning Ealing is still above that level. However, when adjusted for the higher cost of living in London, the real‑terms difference shrinks considerably.
Looking at longer‑term trends, the picture is one of slow but uneven progress. As reported by James O’Connor of London Data Hub, Ealing’s average weekly pay has risen over the past decade, but the rate of growth has been slower than in some neighbouring boroughs. Community organisations and trade unions have responded to the figures with calls for higher wages and better job security. As reported by Sarah Khan of the Ealing Guardian, local branches of the TUC and Unison have urged employers and policymakers to adopt the Real Living Wage and strengthen protections for low‑paid workers.
