Updated for 2025/26
£12,097 vs £18,086 Salary Comparison
Compare a £12,097 salary against £18,086. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£5,989
per year
Take Home Extra
+£370.38
per month
You Keep
74%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£22,223
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 | £12,097 | £18,086 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £12,097 | £18,086 | £5,989 |
| Income Tax | £0 | £1,103 | £1,103 |
| National Insurance | £0 | £441 | £441 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £12,097 | £16,542 | £4,445 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,008 | £1,378 | £370 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
£12,097
Gross£12,097
Take-Home£12,097
You Keep100.0%
£18,086
Gross£18,086
Take-Home£16,542
You Keep91.5%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£12,097
Tax BandPersonal Allowance
Marginal Rate0%
Income Tax£0.00
National Insurance£0.00
Take Home (Monthly)£1,008.08
£18,086
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£1,103.20
National Insurance£441.28
Take Home (Monthly)£1,378.46
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 £370.38 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
Full Comparison: £12,097 vs £18,086
£12,097
- Gross Pay£12,097.00
- Take Home (Year)£12,097.00
- Take Home (Month)£1,008.08
- Effective Tax Rate0.0%
£18,086
- Gross Pay£18,086.00
- Take Home (Year)£16,541.52
- Take Home (Month)£1,378.46
- Effective Tax Rate8.5%
The difference in take-home pay is £4,445 per year, which works out to £370.38 per month.