Compare two salaries side by side after tax, National Insurance and pension. See the monthly and yearly take-home for each, and how much of the extra gross pay you actually keep.
Results are estimates for planning. Check the figures before you make a financial or health decision.
How the Salary comparison calculator works
Each salary is run through the same engine as the UK take-home pay calculator, using 2026/27 income tax, National Insurance and a pension contribution taken before tax (net pay). You can set a different pension percentage and region (England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Scotland) for each salary.
- Take-home = gross salary minus income tax, National Insurance and your pension contribution.
- Gross difference = salary B minus salary A.
- Net difference = take-home B minus take-home A, per year and per month.
- Share kept = net difference divided by the gross difference.
The tool assumes a standard tax code, no student loan and no other income. It does not include employer pension contributions, bonuses, benefits, holiday, commuting or the cost of living in different places, which can matter as much as the headline salary.
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Salary A (gross per year) | 40000 |
| Pension for salary A | 5 % of salary |
| Region for salary A | England, Wales or Northern Ireland |
| Salary B (gross per year) | 48000 |
| Pension for salary B | 5 % of salary |
| Region for salary B | England, Wales or Northern Ireland |
Take-home difference per month (B minus A): £453.33
| Salary A take-home per month | £2,559.97 |
|---|---|
| Salary B take-home per month | £3,013.30 |
| Salary A take-home per year | £30,720 |
| Salary B take-home per year | £36,160 |
| Difference in gross pay per year | £8,000 |
| Difference in take-home per year | £5,440 |
Tips and common mistakes
When comparing offers, use the same pension percentage unless the employers really do offer different schemes, since a higher pension reduces take-home but builds savings. Remember that employer pension matches, bonuses, holiday and commuting costs sit outside the figures. The share kept falls as pay rises through the bands, so a large gross difference may be worth noticeably less than it looks. Use the pay rise calculator to test a specific increase in your current job.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the net difference smaller than the gross difference?
Extra pay is taxed at your marginal rates and adds National Insurance, and a pension percentage also takes more. The tool shows the share you keep.
Can I compare a Scottish salary with an English one?
Yes. Choose the region for each salary and the tool applies the Scottish or the England, Wales and Northern Ireland bands accordingly.
Does this include a student loan?
No, the comparison assumes none. Use the UK take-home pay calculator for a single salary with a student loan.
Guides that help
- How to work out your take-home pay from a UK salary
- UK income tax explained: bands, allowance and how it's worked out
- Net pay, salary sacrifice or relief at source: how pension contributions affect your pay