Salary Comparison Calculator

Compare two salaries side-by-side after tax

Salary Comparison Calculator

Compare two salaries after tax

Job 1 (Current/Option A)

£
%

Job 2 (New/Option B)

£
%

Side-by-Side Comparison

Job 1 Take-Home

£27,320

per year

Gross Salary£35,000
Income Tax£4,136
National Insurance£1,794
Pension£1,750

Job 2 Take-Home

£30,720

per year

Gross Salary£40,000
Income Tax£5,086
National Insurance£2,194
Pension£2,000
+14.3%
+12.4%
+£3,400
+£283

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your current salary and pension contribution (Job 1)
  2. Enter the new job offer salary and pension contribution (Job 2)
  3. Select your UK region
  4. See the real difference in take-home pay after tax and deductions
  5. Remember to consider other benefits like holiday allowance, bonuses, and working conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the take-home increase less than the salary increase?

Higher earnings are taxed at higher rates. If a salary increase pushes you into a higher tax bracket, you'll pay 40% tax on that portion instead of 20%, plus additional National Insurance.

What else should I consider when comparing jobs?

Look at total compensation: employer pension contributions, bonuses, benefits (health insurance, gym membership), holiday allowance, flexible working, commute costs, and career development opportunities.

How do I compare jobs with different pension schemes?

Include employer contributions in your comparison. A 5% match is worth 5% of your salary. A job with lower salary but better pension matching might be more valuable long-term.

Should I consider commute costs?

Absolutely. If Job 2 requires a £200/month train ticket, that's £2,400 per year from your take-home pay. Factor in commute time value too - an extra hour daily is 250 hours per year.

What about bonuses?

Be realistic about bonuses - they're often not guaranteed. If one job offers £40k + £5k bonus and another offers £43k guaranteed, the guaranteed salary might be safer unless bonuses are contractual.

How do I negotiate salary?

Research market rates, know your value, highlight achievements, and be prepared to justify your ask. Don't forget to negotiate other benefits if salary is fixed. See our Salary Negotiation Guide.