Updated for 2025/26
£18,006 vs £42,396 Salary Comparison
Compare a £18,006 salary against £42,396. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£24,390
per year
Take Home Extra
+£1,463.40
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£87,804
cumulative
Mid-Career Sweet Spot
This salary range often represents strong mid-career positions. You're still entirely in the basic rate tax band (20%), making raises very tax-efficient.
- Salary sacrifice for pension can be very efficient at this level
- Consider hybrid or remote roles - commuting costs can eat into raises
- This is often the best time to change industries for a salary bump
- Skills training and certifications can lead to significant jumps
Compare Salaries
Enter multiple salaries to compare take-home pay for 2025/26
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Comparison Results
| Metric | £18,006 | £42,396 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £18,006 | £42,396 | £24,390 |
| Income Tax | £1,087 | £5,965 | £4,878 |
| National Insurance | £435 | £2,386 | £1,951 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £16,484 | £34,045 | £17,561 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,374 | £2,837 | £1,463 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 8.5% | 19.7% | 11.2% |
£18,006
Gross£18,006
Take-Home£16,484
You Keep91.5%
£42,396
Gross£42,396
Take-Home£34,045
You Keep80.3%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£18,006
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£1,087.20
National Insurance£434.88
Take Home (Monthly)£1,373.66
£42,396
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£5,965.20
National Insurance£2,386.08
Take Home (Monthly)£2,837.06
What £1,463.40 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
£17,560.80/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £18,006 vs £42,396
£18,006
- Gross Pay£18,006.00
- Take Home (Year)£16,483.92
- Take Home (Month)£1,373.66
- Effective Tax Rate8.5%
£42,396
- Gross Pay£42,396.00
- Take Home (Year)£34,044.72
- Take Home (Month)£2,837.06
- Effective Tax Rate19.7%
The difference in take-home pay is £17,561 per year, which works out to £1,463.40 per month.