Police pay and pension

Everything for police officers in England and Wales: what you take home at every rank and force, what your pension will pay, and guides to overtime, acting up and allowances.

Updated for the 2026/27 tax year

Police pay calculator

Take-home for constable to chief superintendent, with the Met and South East allowances, overtime, rest days, acting up and the police pension.

New constable, outside London£1,951.64 a month
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Police pension calculator

Your pension and lump sum at retirement in today’s money, across the 2015, 2006 and 1987 schemes, with the McCloud choice.

Joining at 25, serving to 60£36,340 a year
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Police pay guides

Constable salaryAll seven pay pointsSergeant salaryWhat promotion is worthInspector salaryInspector and chief inspectorSuperintendent salarySuperintendent and chief superMet Police salaryLondon Weighting and AllowancePolice overtimeTime and a third, rest daysActing up payTemporary duty in a higher rankSouth East AllowanceWhich forces and how much

Police pay in 2026/27 at a glance

  • 3.5% on every rank and pay point from 1 September 2026.
  • Constables start on £32,255 and reach £52,015 at pay point 7.
  • Met and City of London officers get London Weighting of £3,260 plus a London Allowance of up to £6,819.
  • Police pension contributions are 12.88% to 14.22% of pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a police officer take home a month?

A new constable outside London takes home about £1,952 a month from September 2026, after tax, NI and the police pension. At the top of the constable scale it is about £2,942. A new Met constable gets about £2,528.

What is a police constable’s hourly rate?

£15.46 an hour at pay point 1, based on a 40-hour week. At the top of the scale it is £24.94.

Why does the police pension take so much of my pay?

The 2015 police pension costs 12.88% to 14.22% of pay, more than most public sector schemes, because it lets you retire at 60 on a good pension. A new constable pays £346.20 a month, but after tax relief it only reduces take-home by about £276.96.

Is the police pension worth it?

A year at pay point 1 adds about £583 a year to your pension, payable from 60 and increased by CPI plus 1.25% while you serve. It costs about £3,324 a year after tax relief. It also covers you for ill health and pays a death grant. This is general information, not advice.

How much student loan does a police officer repay?

A new constable on Plan 2 repays about £21.50 a month. Repayments rise to about £169.67 a month at the top of the scale.

Do I pay tax on police pension contributions?

No. They come off your pay before Income Tax, so you get relief at your highest rate straight away. National Insurance is still charged on your full pay.

Do PCSOs and police staff use this calculator?

No. PCSOs and police staff are paid on their own force scales and are usually in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Use the general take-home pay calculator for them.