Updated for 2025/26
£38,742 vs £48,242 Salary Comparison
Compare a £38,742 salary against £48,242. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£9,500
per year
Take Home Extra
+£570.00
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£34,200
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 | £38,742 | £48,242 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £38,742 | £48,242 | £9,500 |
| Income Tax | £5,234 | £7,134 | £1,900 |
| National Insurance | £2,094 | £2,854 | £760 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £31,414 | £38,254 | £6,840 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,618 | £3,188 | £570 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 18.9% | 20.7% | 1.8% |
£38,742
Gross£38,742
Take-Home£31,414
You Keep81.1%
£48,242
Gross£48,242
Take-Home£38,254
You Keep79.3%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£38,742
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£5,234.40
National Insurance£2,093.76
Take Home (Monthly)£2,617.82
£48,242
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£7,134.40
National Insurance£2,853.76
Take Home (Monthly)£3,187.82
What £570.00 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
£6,840.00/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £38,742 vs £48,242
£38,742
- Gross Pay£38,742.00
- Take Home (Year)£31,413.84
- Take Home (Month)£2,617.82
- Effective Tax Rate18.9%
£48,242
- Gross Pay£48,242.00
- Take Home (Year)£38,253.84
- Take Home (Month)£3,187.82
- Effective Tax Rate20.7%
The difference in take-home pay is £6,840 per year, which works out to £570.00 per month.