Police Take-Home Pay
by Rank (2026)
What you actually earn after Tax, NI and 13% Pension contributions.
A definitive breakdown for Constables, Sergeants & Inspectors.
Trust Notice: Independent explanatory guidance based on 2026 pay scales and UK tax rules. Not affiliated with the Home Office.
Executive Summary
What is a police officer's take-home pay?
A Top Scale Constable (£48,231) typically takes home between £2,650 and £2,750 per month. A Sergeant (£52,800) takes home approximately £2,850, while a new recruit starts around £1,850.
The difference between "Gross" and "Net" is significant due to the 12.44% - 13.78% pension contribution, which sits on top of standard Income Tax and National Insurance.
1. How Your Pay Is Calculated
Your payslip can be a depressing read. Before a penny reaches your bank account, four major deductions are typically applied. Understanding these is the first step to mastering your Financial Pressure Score.
1 The Deductions
- Income Tax 20% / 40%
- National Insurance 8% (Standard)
- Police Pension 12.44% - 13.78%
- Federation Subs ~£24.00
2 Real Example
Top Scale Constable (£48,231)
2. Take-Home Pay By Rank
Constable
Top Scale (Pay Point 7)
Sergeant
Top Scale
The Promotion Trap: Notice how a £4,000 gross rise only translates to roughly £200 extra per month? Read about the Promotion Impact here.
Inspector
Mid Scale
London vs Rest of UK
Officers in the Metropolitan Police and City of London receive London Weighting and London Allowance. While this adds £7,000+ to the gross salary, it is fully taxable.
When adjusted for the colossal difference in housing costs, the "real" disposable income of a London officer is often lower than a counterpart in the North East or Wales.
See Housing Affordability AtlasNet Pay Comparison (Approx)
*Includes London Weighting & Allowance after tax. Rent in London averages £900+ higher per month.
4. The Overtime Net Pay Reality
Does overtime get taxed more?
A common myth is that overtime is taxed at 40% or 50%. In reality, it is simply added to your annual income. If your total earnings stay below £50,270, you pay 20% tax. If you cross that threshold, only the amount above it is taxed at 40%.
Overtime is NOT pensionable in the 2015 scheme. You keep the 13% that usually gets deducted.
NI drops to 2% above £50k, but Tax jumps to 40%. The effective marginal deduction is around 42%.
The 13% "Gouging"
The Police Pension Scheme is expensive. A contribution of 12.44% to 13.78% feels punitive compared to the 3-5% seen in the private sector.
However, this is a Defined Benefit scheme. You are buying a guaranteed inflation-linked income for life, not filling a pot that might run out. The employer contributes over 30% on top of your salary.
Deep Dive Analysis
Is the Pension Worth the 13% Hit?
6. Early Career Reality Check
New recruits (PCDA/DHEP) face a "perfect storm" of financial pressure. Starting salaries of ~£29k leave a take-home of roughly £1,850.
Crucially, academic workloads often prevent student officers from working substantive overtime, locking them into this base rate for 2-3 years.
Student Loan Impact
If you have Plan 2 student loans from a previous degree, 9% is deducted above the threshold. This further erodes the "real" take-home pay of graduate entrants.
Check Early Career Pressure Score →Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a police officer's take-home pay in the UK?
A Top Scale Constable earning £48,231 typically takes home around £2,650–£2,750 per month after tax, National Insurance, and a 12.44% pension contribution. A new recruit on £29,907 takes home roughly £1,850 per month.
Q. How much does a police sergeant earn after tax?
A Top Scale Sergeant earning £52,800 typically takes home approximately £2,850 per month. Although the gross salary is higher, the marginal tax rate and higher pension contributions (often 13.44%) compress the net increase.
Q. Does police overtime affect pension?
No. Police overtime is generally not pensionable in the 2015 CARE scheme. It is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance, but no pension contribution is deducted from overtime payments.
Q. Is London Weighting taxed?
Yes. London Weighting and London Allowance are treated as taxable income and are subject to both Income Tax and National Insurance deductions, though they may also be pensionable depending on the specific allowance.
Q. Is the police pension worth the high contribution?
Yes. While the 12.44-13.78% contribution reduces immediate take-home pay, the scheme is Defined Benefit (guaranteed) and includes a significant employer contribution (31%+), ill-health protection, and inflation linking, making it far more valuable than typical private sector pensions.
Calculate Your Actual Pay
Stop guessing. Use our dedicated tools to model your exact tax code, overtime hours and pension contributions.