The average salary advertised online has dropped by nearly £9,500 in one month, according to research from jobs search engine AllTheTopBananas.com. The salary survey found the average UK salary had fallen from £41,397 to £31,969 in October compared to September.

In London the average advertised salary is now £38,504, down from £41,397 last month. The slump has wiped out a year’s worth of increases in advertised salaries, according to the research.

Dave Martin, managing director of AllTheTopBananas.com, said: “Every day there is more evidence that the country is heading for tough economic times and here is more. After 12 months of strong growth with a slight levelling off of figures last month, it is a shock to see a dramatic drop like this."