Police Constable Salary: Advertised Pay vs Take-Home Pay in 2025/26

Police Constable Salary: What You See vs What You Take Home

When you see a police constable salary advertised, it’s almost always the gross annual figure – before tax, National Insurance, and pension deductions. Understanding the difference between the headline number and what lands in your bank account each month is crucial for budgeting. This guide explains the current pay scales for police constables in England and Wales, how London weighting works, and what your take-home pay might look like.

Current Police Constable Pay Scales (England and Wales)

The official pay scales for police constables are set out in Annex F of the Police Regulations 2003, as amended. The rates below take effect from 1 September 2025, according to GOV.UK guidance.

For constables appointed on or after 1 April 2013:

Pay point	Salary (from Sept 2025)
1	£31,164
2	£32,472
3	£33,789
4	£35,106
5	£37,737
6	£43,038
7	£50,256

For constables appointed before 1 April 2013:

Pay point	Salary (from Sept 2025)
0	£32,820
1	£36,375
2	£38,346
3	£40,557
4	£41,766
5	£43,038
6	£46,626
7	£50,256

New recruits typically start at pay point 1, though chief officers may assign new constables to pay point 2 if needed to meet local recruitment needs (after consultation with the local policing body).

London Weighting and Other Allowances

If you serve in the City of London or Metropolitan Police, your police constable salary is increased by £3,150 per year. This London weighting is added to your base pay. Some officers may also qualify for a London allowance (up to £6,588) or a dog handler’s allowance. These extras are separate from the basic scale and are not pensionable in the same way.

Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Your advertised salary is not what you take home. Deductions include:

• Income tax: 20% on earnings above £12,570 (basic rate) up to £50,270, then 40% above that.
• National Insurance: 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above.
• Pension: Police constables in the Police Pension Scheme 2015 contribute 12.88% of pensionable pay (rate for 2026/27).

Using a take-home pay calculator, a constable on the entry salary of £31,164 with a 12.88% pension contribution would have an estimated net annual pay of about £22,746 for the 2026/27 tax year – that’s roughly £1,896 per month. This is an illustration; your actual take-home may differ if you have student loan repayments, salary sacrifice arrangements, or a different pension tier.

Comparing Advertised Salary to Take-Home

When you see a police constable salary advertised at £31,164, remember that your monthly take-home will be around £1,896. As you progress through pay points, your gross salary rises, but so do your tax and pension contributions. At the top of the scale (£50,256), your take-home will be higher, but still less than the headline figure.

For more context on how statutory minimum wages compare, see our [UK Minimum Wage](/