Updated for 2025/26
£31,442 vs £46,442 Salary Comparison
Compare a £31,442 salary against £46,442. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£15,000
per year
Take Home Extra
+£900.00
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£54,000
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 | £31,442 | £46,442 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £31,442 | £46,442 | £15,000 |
| Income Tax | £3,774 | £6,774 | £3,000 |
| National Insurance | £1,510 | £2,710 | £1,200 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £26,158 | £36,958 | £10,800 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,180 | £3,080 | £900 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 16.8% | 20.4% | 3.6% |
£31,442
Gross£31,442
Take-Home£26,158
You Keep83.2%
£46,442
Gross£46,442
Take-Home£36,958
You Keep79.6%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£31,442
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£3,774.40
National Insurance£1,509.76
Take Home (Monthly)£2,179.82
£46,442
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£6,774.40
National Insurance£2,709.76
Take Home (Monthly)£3,079.82
What £900.00 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
£10,800.00/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £31,442 vs £46,442
£31,442
- Gross Pay£31,442.00
- Take Home (Year)£26,157.84
- Take Home (Month)£2,179.82
- Effective Tax Rate16.8%
£46,442
- Gross Pay£46,442.00
- Take Home (Year)£36,957.84
- Take Home (Month)£3,079.82
- Effective Tax Rate20.4%
The difference in take-home pay is £10,800 per year, which works out to £900.00 per month.