UK Compare Two Salaries Calculator 2026/27
Compare two different salary packages side-by-side
Compare Two Salaries
Salary 1
Salary 2
How the Compare Salaries works
The Compare Salaries Calculator lets you compare two salary packages side by side on a true after-tax basis. This is useful when evaluating two job offers, assessing whether a pay rise meaningfully increases your take-home, or comparing the same role with different pension arrangements.
Enter the gross annual salary for each option along with pension contributions, student loan plan, and tax code. The calculator shows the exact net take-home for each scenario across all time periods and highlights the real monetary difference — not the headline gross difference.
A common misconception is that a higher salary always means proportionally more take-home pay. In practice, marginal tax and NI rates narrow the gap at higher earnings. Moving from £50,000 to £60,000 adds £10,000 gross, but only approximately £5,800 to your take-home because the extra £10,000 is taxed at 40% income tax and 2% NI. The calculator shows this gap automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two job offers on a true after-tax basis?
Enter the gross salary for both offers, along with any pension contributions and student loan plans. The calculator shows the exact after-tax and after-deduction take-home for each, so you can compare like for like.
Does a higher gross salary always mean more take-home pay?
Yes, a higher gross salary always results in more take-home pay. However, the net gain narrows as you move into higher tax bands. A £10,000 pay rise from £40,000 to £50,000 adds roughly £6,800 to your take-home, while the same rise from £50,000 to £60,000 adds only about £5,800 due to the higher marginal tax rate.
How do I account for different pension contributions in two job offers?
Enter each offer's pension contribution percentage separately. The calculator deducts pension from take-home for both, giving a true comparison of net pay. Remember that pension contributions are savings, not lost income.
One job is in London. Does that change the tax calculation?
Income tax and National Insurance are the same across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland regardless of location. A London weighting or allowance is treated as additional salary and taxed normally. Scottish income tax rates are different — use the Scotland option if relevant.