Updated for 2025/26
£31,002 vs £55,002 Salary Comparison
Compare a £31,002 salary against £55,002. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£24,000
per year
Take Home Extra
+£1,384.79
per month
You Keep
69%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£83,088
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 | £31,002 | £55,002 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £31,002 | £55,002 | £24,000 |
| Income Tax | £3,686 | £9,433 | £5,746 |
| National Insurance | £1,475 | £3,111 | £1,636 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £25,841 | £42,459 | £16,618 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,153 | £3,538 | £1,385 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 16.6% | 22.8% | 6.2% |
£31,002
Gross£31,002
Take-Home£25,841
You Keep83.4%
£55,002
Gross£55,002
Take-Home£42,459
You Keep77.2%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£31,002
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£3,686.40
National Insurance£1,474.56
Take Home (Monthly)£2,153.42
£55,002
Tax BandHigher Rate
Marginal Rate40%
Income Tax£9,432.80
National Insurance£3,110.64
Take Home (Monthly)£3,538.21
Tax Band Change: This salary increase crosses from the Basic Rate (20%) into the Higher Rate (40%). The portion above £50,270.00 will be taxed at the higher rate.
What £1,384.79 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
£16,617.52/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £31,002 vs £55,002
£31,002
- Gross Pay£31,002.00
- Take Home (Year)£25,841.04
- Take Home (Month)£2,153.42
- Effective Tax Rate16.6%
£55,002
- Gross Pay£55,002.00
- Take Home (Year)£42,458.56
- Take Home (Month)£3,538.21
- Effective Tax Rate22.8%
The difference in take-home pay is £16,618 per year, which works out to £1,384.79 per month.