Annual pay levels rose in the three months to November, according to official figures.
The increase was attributed to a delay in bonus payments in the property business, renting and business services sectors, and was in line with expectations.
Headline annual average earnings growth rose to 4.2 per cent in the three months to November compared with 4.1 per cent in the previous three months.
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Excluding bonuses, annual average earnings were steady at 4.4 per cent in the three months to November, although they were held at the highest rate since early 2002.
The figures from the Office of National Statistics show a tightening labour market with wage inflationary pressures on a gradual rise.
