Updated for 2025/26
£18,006 vs £42,991 Salary Comparison
Compare a £18,006 salary against £42,991. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£24,985
per year
Take Home Extra
+£1,499.10
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£89,946
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 | £42,991 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £18,006 | £42,991 | £24,985 |
| Income Tax | £1,087 | £6,084 | £4,997 |
| National Insurance | £435 | £2,434 | £1,999 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £16,484 | £34,473 | £17,989 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,374 | £2,873 | £1,499 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 8.5% | 19.8% | 11.4% |
£18,006
Gross£18,006
Take-Home£16,484
You Keep91.5%
£42,991
Gross£42,991
Take-Home£34,473
You Keep80.2%
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
£42,991
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£6,084.20
National Insurance£2,433.68
Take Home (Monthly)£2,872.76
What £1,499.10 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
£17,989.20/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £18,006 vs £42,991
£18,006
- Gross Pay£18,006.00
- Take Home (Year)£16,483.92
- Take Home (Month)£1,373.66
- Effective Tax Rate8.5%
£42,991
- Gross Pay£42,991.00
- Take Home (Year)£34,473.12
- Take Home (Month)£2,872.76
- Effective Tax Rate19.8%
The difference in take-home pay is £17,989 per year, which works out to £1,499.10 per month.