Compare two salaries
UK tax and deduction options
These options apply to both salary scenarios. Pension is modelled as salary sacrifice from gross salary.
Salary A and pension A can be pre-filled from the UK Salary Calculator. Shared links contain all entered values.
How to Compare Two UK Salaries
Compare two job offers on a like-for-like basis by applying the same UK PAYE assumptions to each gross salary, then reviewing the difference in estimated take-home pay.
Select the tax year
Choose the tax year that applies to both salaries. The comparison uses the same tax year for both scenarios to ensure consistency.
Enter both gross annual salaries
Enter the annual salary for each role in Salary A and Salary B. Use the contractual base salary for both offers and compare bonuses separately if they are not guaranteed.
Add each pension contribution
Enter the employee pension percentage for each salary. Different pension rates affect take-home pay, so use the percentage that applies to each offer rather than assuming they are identical.
Enter tax codes (if different)
Use the tax code from each payslip. The standard 1257L is pre-filled. If either offer has a different tax code, enter it to get a more accurate comparison.
Select Scottish taxpayer if applicable
If you live in Scotland, select the Scottish taxpayer option. This applies Scottish Income Tax bands to both salaries for a consistent comparison.
Select student loan plans if applicable
If you have student loans, select the relevant plans. Student loan repayments are calculated for both salaries based on the selected plans.
Select NI exemption if applicable
If either salary is exempt from employee National Insurance (for example, over State Pension age), select the NI exemption option. This removes employee NI deductions from both calculations.
Compare annual and monthly take-home pay
Select Compare to see the estimated take-home pay for Salary A and Salary B, the gross salary difference, and the Income Tax, National Insurance, and student loan amounts used for each calculation. Use Reset to clear all inputs and start again.
Check the net advantage
The annual take-home difference shows how much more or less cash Salary B provides after estimated Income Tax, employee National Insurance, student loan, and pension deductions. Divide the annual figures by 12 for a simple monthly comparison.
Share or download your comparison
Use Share, Copy link, Print, or Download to save or share your comparison. Shared links contain all the inputs you entered and can be restored when you revisit the page. Your data is not logged or stored.
Add benefits and working conditions separately
The comparison does not value employer pension contributions, bonuses, equity, healthcare, leave, travel costs, working hours, or other job characteristics. Include these factors before deciding which offer is better overall.
Review the methodology
The 'About this estimate' section shows the tax year and ruleset used for the calculation. Both salaries are calculated using the same UK PAYE rules engine for a consistent comparison. Review the methodology and sources before relying on the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the net difference smaller than the gross difference?
Additional salary can be subject to Income Tax, employee National Insurance, student loan repayments, and pension deductions.
Can I compare Scottish salaries?
Yes. Select the Scottish taxpayer option to apply Scottish Income Tax bands to both salaries for a consistent comparison.
Does this compare bonuses and benefits?
No. Version two compares base salaries, pension percentages, tax codes, and student loan plans. Use the detailed Salary and Bonus tools for additional inputs.
Can I compare different tax years?
No. Both salaries use the same selected tax year to ensure a like-for-like comparison. If you need to compare across tax years, run separate comparisons.
What if the two salaries have different tax codes?
Enter the tax code for each salary separately. The comparison will use the correct tax code for each scenario.
How are student loans handled?
Student loan repayments are calculated for both salaries based on the selected plans. The comparison shows the student loan deduction for each salary.