🇬🇧 UK · 2026/27 Tax Year · Side-by-side

Compare Two UK Salaries
After Tax 2026/27

Which job actually pays more? Compare the real take-home of two salaries side by side, after income tax, NI, and pension.

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£
DeductionSalary ASalary B
Gross salary——
Income Tax——
National Insurance——
Pension (5% auto-enrolment)——
Annual take-home——
Monthly take-home——
Effective tax + NI rate——

2026/27 · Standard tax code 1257L · Auto-enrolment pension at 5% on qualifying earnings (£6,240–£50,270 band) · Does not include student loan repayments or salary sacrifice.

Why the same pay rise means different things at different salaries

A £5,000 pay rise from £30,000 to £35,000 puts roughly £285/month more in your pocket — because that £5,000 is all taxed at 20% NI at 8% = 28% combined.

A £5,000 pay rise from £50,000 to £55,000 puts roughly £195/month more in your pocket — because you cross the higher rate threshold at £50,270. The portion above that is taxed at 40% instead of 20%, and NI drops to 2% above £50,270.

This tool makes the difference visible — enter any two salaries to see exactly what each means for your bank account.

Full calculator with tax codes →Browse salary pages

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare two UK salaries after tax?+
Enter both salaries above. The tool calculates income tax, National Insurance, and pension for each, then shows the monthly and annual take-home side by side. The difference accounts for all deductions so you can see which salary actually puts more in your pocket.
Does a higher salary always mean more take-home pay?+
Yes — a higher gross salary always means a higher net pay. However, the margin narrows as you move into higher tax bands. Earning £5,000 more in the basic rate band (20%) saves you much more than £5,000 more in the higher rate band (40%), and pension auto-enrolment is capped at the qualifying earnings upper limit of £50,270.
Does the comparison include pension contributions?+
Yes. The tool applies the standard auto-enrolment pension rate of 5% on qualifying earnings (the £6,240–£50,270 band). If either salary exceeds the upper qualifying earnings limit, pension contributions cap out at that level.
Can I use this to compare a salary vs day rate?+
This tool compares two annual PAYE salaries. For comparing a day rate contract with a permanent salary — including the impact of IR35, employer NI, and umbrella margins — use our day rate and IR35 calculator instead.
Why does a £5,000 raise feel small after tax?+
A £5,000 raise in the basic rate band (20% tax + 8% NI = 28%) nets you approximately £300/month. The same raise above £50,270 (40% tax + 2% NI = 42%) only nets you about £242/month. The higher rate threshold significantly reduces the take-home value of pay rises above that point.
What is the effective tax rate shown in the comparison?+
The effective rate shows your combined income tax and National Insurance as a percentage of gross salary. It excludes pension. For a £30,000 salary this is roughly 22%, rising to about 32% at £60,000. It is different from your marginal rate (the rate applied to your last pound of income).
Should I negotiate salary or benefits?+
For earnings above £50,270, salary increases become increasingly tax-inefficient. Employer pension contributions, salary sacrifice schemes, extra annual leave, or remote working benefits can be worth more in real terms than equivalent salary increases — especially above the higher rate threshold.

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