Updated for 2025/26
£11,820 vs £21,180 Salary Comparison
Compare a £11,820 salary against £21,180. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£9,360
per year
Take Home Extra
+£579.10
per month
You Keep
74%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£34,746
cumulative
Entry-Level Career Progression
This comparison is typical for early career moves or first promotions. At this salary range, most of your income is taxed at the basic rate (20%), so you keep a higher percentage of any raise.
- Negotiate hard - you keep ~70-80% of any increase at this level
- Consider employers offering good pension matching (often worth more than small salary differences)
- Look for roles with clear progression paths to higher bands
- Factor in benefits like free lunches, gym memberships, or transport subsidies
Compare Salaries
Enter multiple salaries to compare take-home pay for 2025/26
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Comparison Results
| Metric | £11,820 | £21,180 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £11,820 | £21,180 | £9,360 |
| Income Tax | £0 | £1,722 | £1,722 |
| National Insurance | £0 | £689 | £689 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £11,820 | £18,769 | £6,949 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £985 | £1,564 | £579 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
£11,820
Gross£11,820
Take-Home£11,820
You Keep100.0%
£21,180
Gross£21,180
Take-Home£18,769
You Keep88.6%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£11,820
Tax BandPersonal Allowance
Marginal Rate0%
Income Tax£0.00
National Insurance£0.00
Take Home (Monthly)£985.00
£21,180
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£1,722.00
National Insurance£688.80
Take Home (Monthly)£1,564.10
Tax Band Change: This salary increase crosses from the Personal Allowance (0%) into the Basic Rate (20%). The portion above £12,570.00 will be taxed at the higher rate.
What £579.10 Extra Buys You
Real-world value of the take-home difference
Monthly Subscriptions
Netflix, Spotify, gym - £100.00/mo
Weekend Breaks
1-2 UK getaways per month at this budget
Savings Boost
£6,949.20/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £11,820 vs £21,180
£11,820
- Gross Pay£11,820.00
- Take Home (Year)£11,820.00
- Take Home (Month)£985.00
- Effective Tax Rate0.0%
£21,180
- Gross Pay£21,180.00
- Take Home (Year)£18,769.20
- Take Home (Month)£1,564.10
- Effective Tax Rate11.4%
The difference in take-home pay is £6,949 per year, which works out to £579.10 per month.