Salary Comparison Calculator UK 2026/27
Weighing a job offer or a raise? Compare two salaries and see the difference where it matters, in monthly take-home.
| Salary A | Salary B | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross | £38,000 | £45,000 |
| Take-home / year | £30,880 | £35,920 |
| Take-home / month | £2,573 | £2,993 |
| Effective rate | 18.7% | 20.2% |
Both columns: 2026/27, tax code 1257L, no pension or student loan. Add those in the full calculator.
Reading the comparison
Above £50,270, each extra pound keeps only 58p (40% tax + 2% NI), so headline salary differences shrink after tax. And between £100,000 and £125,140 the personal allowance taper pushes the marginal rate to 62%, a £5,000 raise there is worth barely £1,900 in your account. Factor pensions and benefits before deciding; both often beat raw salary.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare two job offers after tax?
Yes. Enter both gross salaries and the same assumptions and the calculator shows take-home, tax and NI side by side so you can see the true difference.
Why is there a smaller difference after tax than expected?
Because Income Tax and National Insurance are progressive. Moving from £40,000 to £50,000 gross adds £10,000 before tax but only around £6,800 after tax.
Does location affect the comparison?
Yes if one offer is in Scotland. Scottish Income Tax has different bands, so the same gross salary produces a different take-home in Scotland versus the rest of the UK.