06.11.2026

42% of UK job adverts don't disclose salaries as Government announces 'say what you pay' law

New CV-Library research reveals the scale of salary secrecy as ministers move to make pay transparency a legal requirement for employers.

Employers will be legally required to include salary information in job adverts under new Government plans announced 5 November, but new analysis from UK job board CV-Library, reveals that more than two in five UK job adverts currently fail to disclose pay.

The Government's proposed ‘say what you pay’ law aims to give jobseekers greater clarity before applying, particularly young people entering the workforce, while helping tackle pay inequalities and the gender pay gap.

CV-Library's latest Candidate Behaviour Barometer 2026 which surveyed 1,043 UK jobseekers and 233 recruiters and direct employers, highlights just how important this information is to candidates, with a significant proportion unwilling to consider opportunities where salaries aren't disclosed.

Key findings from CV-Library's report and job market analysis reveal:

42 per cent of UK job adverts did not include salary information over the past 12 months, with just 58 per cent providing upfront pay details.
41 per cent of jobseekers would refuse to apply for a role without a listed salary, up from 38 per cent in 2025.
66 per cent of candidates say salary is the single most important aspect of a job advert, making it the clearest priority when assessing an opportunity.
58 per cent say salary information is essential when deciding whether to apply, with a further 37 per cent saying it is preferred.
80 per cent of recruiters identify a competitive salary as one of candidates' top three priorities when looking at a job listing.

Katie Emerton, recruitment expert of CV-Library, said: "There's a clear disconnect between what candidates want and what employers provide. Recruiters recognise that salary is one of the biggest priorities for jobseekers, yet 42 per cent of adverts still leave people guessing, risking losing candidates before they've even applied.

"Greater transparency is a positive step, but employers don't necessarily need to commit to a fixed figure. Providing a realistic salary range gives candidates the clarity they're looking for while allowing businesses flexibility to account for experience."

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