Updated for 2025/26
£15,990 vs £30,040 Salary Comparison
Compare a £15,990 salary against £30,040. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£14,050
per year
Take Home Extra
+£843.00
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£50,580
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 | £15,990 | £30,040 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £15,990 | £30,040 | £14,050 |
| Income Tax | £684 | £3,494 | £2,810 |
| National Insurance | £274 | £1,398 | £1,124 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £15,032 | £25,148 | £10,116 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,253 | £2,096 | £843 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 6.0% | 16.3% | 10.3% |
£15,990
Gross£15,990
Take-Home£15,032
You Keep94.0%
£30,040
Gross£30,040
Take-Home£25,148
You Keep83.7%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£15,990
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£684.00
National Insurance£273.60
Take Home (Monthly)£1,252.70
£30,040
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£3,494.00
National Insurance£1,397.60
Take Home (Monthly)£2,095.70
What £843.00 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
£10,116.00/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £15,990 vs £30,040
£15,990
- Gross Pay£15,990.00
- Take Home (Year)£15,032.40
- Take Home (Month)£1,252.70
- Effective Tax Rate6.0%
£30,040
- Gross Pay£30,040.00
- Take Home (Year)£25,148.40
- Take Home (Month)£2,095.70
- Effective Tax Rate16.3%
The difference in take-home pay is £10,116 per year, which works out to £843.00 per month.