Updated for 2025/26
£30,009 vs £42,012 Salary Comparison
Compare a £30,009 salary against £42,012. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£12,003
per year
Take Home Extra
+£720.18
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£43,211
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 | £30,009 | £42,012 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £30,009 | £42,012 | £12,003 |
| Income Tax | £3,488 | £5,888 | £2,401 |
| National Insurance | £1,395 | £2,355 | £960 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £25,126 | £33,768 | £8,642 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,094 | £2,814 | £720 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 16.3% | 19.6% | 3.4% |
£30,009
Gross£30,009
Take-Home£25,126
You Keep83.7%
£42,012
Gross£42,012
Take-Home£33,768
You Keep80.4%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£30,009
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£3,487.80
National Insurance£1,395.12
Take Home (Monthly)£2,093.84
£42,012
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£5,888.40
National Insurance£2,355.36
Take Home (Monthly)£2,814.02
What £720.18 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
£8,642.16/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £30,009 vs £42,012
£30,009
- Gross Pay£30,009.00
- Take Home (Year)£25,126.08
- Take Home (Month)£2,093.84
- Effective Tax Rate16.3%
£42,012
- Gross Pay£42,012.00
- Take Home (Year)£33,768.24
- Take Home (Month)£2,814.02
- Effective Tax Rate19.6%
The difference in take-home pay is £8,642 per year, which works out to £720.18 per month.