Average Mental health nurses Salary in Manchester
ONS ASHE 2025 · North West region · Updated October 2025
How Manchester compares
For mental health nursess based in the North West, 2025 brought a median salary of £28,913. To put this in perspective, the UK average is £40,028 — making this 27.8% below the norm. This is particularly notable given ongoing NHS recruitment challenges and rising demand for healthcare staff. The cost of living in the North West is 8.8% below the UK average, so a salary of £28,913 has an effective purchasing power closer to £31,703. To put this alongside local pay more broadly: the average across all jobs in Manchester is £36,554, so mental health nursess sit 20.9% less that benchmark.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North West index: 91.2, UK=100), a salary of £28,913 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £31,703 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North West is 8.8% below the UK average.
Mental health nurses salary across UK regions
Mental health nurses salary in areas near Manchester
Salary data is by ONS region. Manchester is in the North West region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Mental health nurses Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
Read the full Mental health nurses salary guide →Find Mental health nurses jobs in Manchester
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average mental health nurses salary in Manchester?
The median mental health nurses salary in the North West (which includes Manchester) is £28,913 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does mental health nurses pay in Manchester compare to the UK average?
Mental health nurses in the North West earn 27.8% below the national median of £40,028. Other regions such as London and the South East typically offer higher salaries for this role.
Is mental health nurses a well-paid job in Manchester compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Manchester is £36,554. Mental health nurses in the North West earn £28,913, which is 20.9% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for mental health nursess cover the North West region. The all-jobs average is specific to Manchester. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.