Pay rise calculator
A rise is never worth what it says on the letter. See what actually reaches your account, and what share of the increase you keep.
How this is calculated
Both the current and the raised salary are run through the full PAYE calculation, then compared. Nothing is estimated from one to reach the other.
The rise is taxed at your marginal rate, not your average one. On a basic rate salary that means 20% income tax and 8% National Insurance before your pension takes its share, so roughly a third disappears immediately.
If you are repaying a student loan, another 9% of the increase goes with it, and 6% more on top for a postgraduate loan.
Between £100,000 and £125,140 the personal allowance is withdrawn at £1 for every £2 earned, which produces an effective rate near 60% and can make a large rise worth very little.
Rates used · 2026/27
| Kept from a rise, basic rate | about 68% |
| Kept from a rise, higher rate | about 58% |
| Kept between £100k and £125,140 | about 40% |
| Student loan, if repaying | a further 9% |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
A 5% rise on £42,000 is £2,100 before tax. After income tax, National Insurance and the larger pension contribution it is £1,428 a year, or £119 a month. You keep 68% of it, which is what a basic rate rise is normally worth.
Common questions
Why does my rise feel smaller than it sounds?
Because every extra pound is taxed at your top rate rather than your average one, and your pension contribution rises with your salary too.
Would a bonus be better than a rise?
A bonus is taxed the same way but is a one-off, so it does not compound into future rises, pension contributions or the base for the next negotiation.
Should I ask for pension instead of salary?
It is worth modelling. Extra employer pension avoids both income tax and National Insurance now, though you cannot access it until at least 55.
Does a rise change my student loan repayment?
Yes. Repayments are 9% of everything above the threshold, so they rise with your salary automatically.