Most people wouldn’t and now the numbers back it up.
A new survey of over 2,000 people across the UK found that 64% of jobseekers are unlikely to apply for a role if the salary isn’t shown. It’s a clear message: people want transparency, especially when it comes to pay.
This shift is being driven by younger workers too.
Over 60% of 16–34-year-olds say they’d be happy to share their own salary if it helped reduce pay inequality.
Nearly 6 in 10 millennials have discovered they were being paid less than a colleague in a similar role.
The #SayThePay campaign is calling for more employers to lead by example and be upfront about pay. Brands like The Coop, Good Energy, and London Wildlife Trust are already on board.
While EU countries will legally have to include salaries in job ads from 2026, there’s no requirement in the UK (yet). But why wait?
According to Aon, only 9% of UK employers feel “ready” for pay transparency rules.
That’s a missed opportunity, because being open about pay doesn’t just build trust, it helps attract and keep great people.
A petition on Change.org titled "Make it law that job adverts have to include a proposed salary" is also gathering momentum. You can show your support here.