How to Read the Headline Police Salary: Starting Pay, Progression and Allowances

Understanding the Headline Police Salary

When you see a headline police salary, it is almost always the starting rate for a constable. But the real picture is more layered. Police pay in England and Wales is set by the Home Office following recommendations from the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB). The latest award, effective from 1 September 2025, gave officers a consolidated increase of 4.2% and updated the pay scales published in guidance.

Starting Salaries for Constables

For a new constable joining after 1 April 2013, the starting salary is £31,164 (pay point 1). Those who joined before that date start at £32,820 (pay point 0). The difference reflects historical pay structures. After six years of satisfactory service and meeting the Pay Progression Standard, a constable reaches the top of the scale: £50,256 for both groups.

But that is just the base rate. Officers in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police receive a London weighting of £3,150 per year, added to their salary. So a Met constable starting in 2025 actually earns £34,314.

Pay Progression and Average Earnings

Progression is not automatic – since April 2023, officers must meet the Pay Progression Standard each year. In practice, most constables move up one pay point annually, gaining increments worth 2% to 6% of salary. According to the Home Office evidence, the average salary for a constable in 2025 was £39,688 (excluding London) and £45,140 (including London). That average reflects a mix of officers at different points on the scale.

Salaries for Sergeants, Inspectors and Chief Inspectors

Sergeants’ pay ranges from £53,568 (pay point 2) to £56,208 (pay point 4). Inspectors start at £63,768 (pay point 0) and top out at £68,982 (pay point 3). Chief inspectors have a scale from £70,344 to £73,149. Again, London weighting applies on top.

Superintending Ranks

Superintendents earn between £84,177 and £99,015 across four pay points. Chief superintendents range from £103,797 to £115,785. These are substantial salaries, but they come with significant responsibility and often long hours.

Allowances and Overtime

The headline police salary does not include allowances. Common additions include:

• London weighting: £3,150 per year (Met/City of London).
• Dog handler allowance: up to £6,588 per year (Met Fed pay scales).
• Shift allowance: varies by force.
• Overtime: paid at time-and-a-half or double time for certain duties.

Part-time officers are paid at an hourly rate calculated as (annual salary × 6) / 12,520, and receive the same London weighting pro-rata.

Police Staff vs Police Officers

This article focuses on police officers (warranted constables and above). Police staff – the civilian roles in forces – have separate pay scales. For example, the British Transport Police published grades from A01A (£20,464) to C04A (£112,048) in a 2024 FOI response. Those roles include PCSOs, call handlers, and administrative staff.

How to Use This Information

When comparing police salary offers or job adverts, look beyond the headline. Ask:

• Is the starting point pay point 1 or a higher point?
• Does the force offer London weighting or other regional allowances?
• What is the typical progression timeline?
• Are there additional allowances for specialisms (dog handling, firearms, etc.)?

For more context on how police pay compares to other public sector roles, see our pay guides and pay data pages. You can also check the UK Minimum Wage page for statutory minimums.

Caveats

All figures in this article are from official sources (GOV.UK, Home Office, Met Fed) and apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate pay arrangements. Pay is reviewed annually, so rates may change. Always confirm with your force’s HR department or the Police Federation.

FAQ

What is the starting salary for a police constable in England and Wales?

From September 2025, the starting salary for a police constable who joined on or after 1 April 2013 is £31,164. For those who joined before that date, the starting salary is £32,820. Officers in the Metropolitan Police or City of London Police receive an additional £3,150 London weighting, bringing the starting total to £34,314 or £35,970 respectively.

How does London weighting affect police salary?

London weighting is an annual allowance of £3,150 paid to officers in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police. It is added to the base salary and is separate from any other allowances. For example, a constable at pay point 1 would receive £31,164 plus £3,150 = £34,314. The allowance is also applied pro-rata for part-time officers.

What is the maximum salary for a chief superintendent?

The top of the chief superintendent pay scale (pay point 3) is £115,785 from September 2025. This is for officers who joined on or after 1 April 2013. Those in the Metropolitan or City of London Police would receive an additional £3,150 London weighting, making the maximum £118,935.