Firefighter Payslip Explained &
2026/27 Pay Rise Impact Guide
- Standard Tax Code: The default code for a main job is 1257L.
- Emergency Tax: Codes like BR, 0T, or W1/M1 mean you are likely overpaying tax.
- National Insurance: You currently pay 8% on earnings above the primary threshold.
- Tax Refunds: You can claim back overpaid tax for up to 4 previous years.
If you spot an error on your payslip, never use a "tax refund company" from social media. They legally take up to 48% of your refund as a fee. Checking your tax code and claiming directly via your HMRC Personal Tax Account is completely free.
Last updated: 09 September 2026 · 2026/27 UK tax year
Calculate the exact take-home impact of the July 2026 3.8% pay rise. We decode Grey Book pay scales, the new 5-tier Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS 2015), and retained pay.
2026/27 pay rise scenarios
What the 3.8% Pay Rise means for your monthly take-home
The National Joint Council confirmed a 3.8% pay award from 1 July 2026. This table compares the old pre-July pay to the new scale. It assumes standard tax codes and the new 5-tier FPS 2015 deductions.
Do you get CPD or FDS Allowances?
The tables above show standard basic pay. If you receive CPD payments or the 20% Flexible Duty System (FDS) allowance, you can calculate your exact take-home pay using our free interactive tool.
Go to Firefighter Pay CalculatorThe Pension Reforms
The new 5-Tier FPS 2015 structure
In April 2026, the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS 2015) underwent significant reform. The contribution model was expanded from four tiers to five tiers, and critically, contributions are now based on your actual pensionable pay rather than your Wholetime Equivalent (WTE).
Previously, if you were a part-time or retained firefighter, your pension tier was dictated by the salary of a full-time equivalent, even if your actual earnings were much lower. This often pushed part-time staff into unfairly high contribution tiers.
Under the new rules, your tier is based solely on your actual earnings. For many retained firefighters, this means dropping down into a lower percentage tier, providing a welcome boost to net take-home pay.
Grey Book Pay Scales (2026/27)
The vast majority of local authority firefighters in the UK are paid according to the National Joint Council (NJC) "Grey Book" agreement.
Your basic pay depends on your role and competence level:
- Development: The pay rate while you are working towards full competence.
- Competent: The top basic pay rate for your role (e.g., Firefighter, Crew Manager, Watch Manager).
Retained (On-Call) Firefighter Pay
If you serve as an on-call firefighter, your payslip will look completely different to a wholetime firefighter. Your pay is made up of several parts:
- Retaining Fee: A flat annual fee (paid monthly) simply for being available for a set number of hours per week.
- Turnout / Attendance Fee: An hourly rate paid when you respond to an emergency call.
- Drill Night Pay: Payment for your weekly training night.
- Other duties: Payments for community fire safety work or equipment maintenance.
Tax Warning for On-Call Firefighters: If you have a primary day job, your retained firefighter pay will likely be treated as a second income. This means your basic Personal Allowance (£12,570) will be used up by your main job, and your fire service pay will likely be taxed at the basic rate (20%) using a BR tax code.
Additional Allowances
Depending on your brigade and role, you may also see:
- Continual Professional Development (CPD): An annual payment (usually paid monthly) for maintaining high professional standards. This is usually fully pensionable.
- Flexible Duty System (FDS): An allowance (usually 20%) paid to officers who provide flexible cover on a rota basis. This is also usually fully pensionable.
- London Weighting: A pensionable addition to basic pay for firefighters working in London.