Updated for 2025/26
£38,000 vs £48,000 Salary Comparison
Compare a £38,000 salary against £48,000. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£10,000
per year
Take Home Extra
+£600.00
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£36,000
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 | £38,000 | £48,000 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £38,000 | £48,000 | £10,000 |
| Income Tax | £5,086 | £7,086 | £2,000 |
| National Insurance | £2,034 | £2,834 | £800 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £30,880 | £38,080 | £7,200 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,573 | £3,173 | £600 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 18.7% | 20.7% | 1.9% |
£38,000
Gross£38,000
Take-Home£30,880
You Keep81.3%
£48,000
Gross£48,000
Take-Home£38,080
You Keep79.3%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£38,000
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£5,086.00
National Insurance£2,034.40
Take Home (Monthly)£2,573.30
£48,000
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£7,086.00
National Insurance£2,834.40
Take Home (Monthly)£3,173.30
What £600.00 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
£7,200.00/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £38,000 vs £48,000
£38,000
- Gross Pay£38,000.00
- Take Home (Year)£30,879.60
- Take Home (Month)£2,573.30
- Effective Tax Rate18.7%
£48,000
- Gross Pay£48,000.00
- Take Home (Year)£38,079.60
- Take Home (Month)£3,173.30
- Effective Tax Rate20.7%
The difference in take-home pay is £7,200 per year, which works out to £600.00 per month.