2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027). Tax code 1257L, no student loan or pension.
Your £26,000 salary broken down
| Gross pay | Income Tax | National Insurance | Take home | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A year | £26,000 | £2,686 | £1,074 | £22,240 |
| A month | £2,166.67 | £223.83 | £89.53 | £1,853.30 |
| A week | £500.00 | £51.65 | £20.66 | £427.68 |
You're a basic-rate taxpayer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: you pay 20% tax on the £13,430 you earn above the £12,570 tax-free allowance, and 8% National Insurance on the same amount. Altogether you keep 86% of your pay.
With a student loan or pension
| Situation | Take home a month (England, Wales, NI) | Take home a month (Scotland) |
|---|---|---|
| No student loan or pension | £1,853 | £1,857 |
| Plan 2 student loan | £1,853 | £1,857 |
| Plan 5 student loan | £1,846 | £1,849 |
| 5% pension (taken before tax) | £1,767 | £1,770 |
| Plan 2 loan and 5% pension | £1,767 | £1,770 |
In Scotland, a £26,000 salary takes home £40 more a year than in England because of the lower 19% starter rate.
What a pay rise would be worth
A £1,000 pay rise to £27,000 would add £720 a year, or £60 a month, to your take-home pay. You keep about 72p of each extra pound. Work out a different rise.
Open £26,000 in the full calculator to add your own pension, student loan or Scottish tax.
Nearby salaries
Sources: GOV.UK rates and thresholds 2026 to 2027, Scottish Government.