Importers and exporters: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time importers and exporters in the UK earned a median £34,757 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £4,282 below the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 204th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
Median full-time pay: women £17.85 an hour, men £18.22 an hour.
Since 2021 it has risen 0.6%, from £34,534, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40th percentile | – | £633.20 | £17.18 | – | £633.20 | £17.18 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £34,757 | £678.70 | £18.25 | £34,757 | £678.70 | £18.25 |
| 60th percentile | – | £704.10* | £19.34 | – | £704.10* | £19.34 |
| Mean | £38,454 | £725.40 | £18.75 | £38,454 | £725.40 | £18.75 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £34,534 | £642.30 | £18.11 | – | £595.70 |
| 2022 revised | – | £591.90* | £15.21* | – | £591.90* |
| 2023 revised | £32,378* | £638.60 | £16.14 | £31,001* | £623.90 |
| 2024 revised | £35,675 | £649.10* | £17.37* | – | £646.20* |
| 2025 provisional | £34,757 | £678.70 | £18.25 | £34,757 | £678.70 |
What importers and exporters do
Importers and exporters buy commodities from overseas for the home market and sell home-produced commodities to overseas markets. (ONS SOC 2020, 3542)
Also covers: export coordinator, exporter, import agent, importer, shipping agent, export agent, export consultant, export controller, export officer, export-import supervisor, import coordinator, import executive, import-export agent, ship's agent and export and import officer.
- Investigates and evaluates home and overseas demand for commodities
- Obtains orders from buyers and arranges payment by bill of exchange, letter of credit or other means
- Arranges for shipment of commodities overseas and ensures that insurance and export licences are in order
- Carries out customs clearance procedures for imports, arranges their storage and delivery and sells them personally or through a commodity broker
- Advises home and overseas producers on the likely future demand for their goods
Entry does not depend on academic qualifications although some employers require candidates to have a degree or equivalent qualification. Some posts require candidates to have knowledge of a foreign language. Professional qualifications are available. Entrance to professional examinations requires GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades or equivalent qualifications.
Related
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ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026