Police officer pay in England and Wales is set by the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and implemented by the Home Office. Officers pay into the Police Pension Scheme 2015 at tiered rates of 12.44–13.78%. This guide covers every rank from constable to chief superintendent, with estimated take-home after all deductions.
After 4.75% award from September 2024. Take-home includes PPS 2015 pension contribution and standard Income Tax/NI. London Metropolitan Police salaries are approximately £3,000–£5,000 higher per rank.
| Rank | Gross salary | Pension rate | Est. take-home | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Development) | £24,780 | 12.44% | £1,523/mo | Joining/probation rate, most forces |
| PC (Constable 1) | £29,682 | 12.44% | £1,767/mo | After probation |
| PC (Constable 2) | £31,641 | 12.44% | £1,864/mo | |
| PC (Constable 3) | £33,651 | 12.44% | £1,964/mo | |
| PC (Constable 4) | £35,691 | 12.44% | £2,065/mo | |
| PC (Constable 5) | £37,191 | 12.44% | £2,139/mo | |
| PC (Constable 6) | £38,118 | 13.11% | £2,164/mo | |
| PC (Top scale) | £43,032 | 13.11% | £2,405/mo | Experienced PC |
| Sergeant | £46,044 | 13.11% | £2,553/mo | |
| Inspector | £57,162 | 13.78% | £2,986/mo | |
| Chief Inspector | £61,098 | 13.78% | £3,131/mo | |
| Superintendent | £70,173 | 13.78% | £3,466/mo | |
| Chief Superintendent | £82,638 | 13.78% | £3,925/mo |
Scotland police follow separate COSLA-negotiated pay scales. Northern Ireland PSNI has its own framework. Figures are indicative — individual forces may apply local supplements.
PPS 2015 is a Career Average (CARE) defined benefit scheme. Officers accrue 1/55.3 of pensionable pay per year (≈ 1.81%), revalued by CPI annually. Normal pension age is 60 — younger than most public sector schemes. The employer contributes 35.5% of salary.
| Pensionable pay | Contribution rate | Effective cost (20% TR) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £27,000 | 12.44% | 9.95% |
| £27,001 – £60,000 | 13.11% | 10.49% |
| Over £60,000 | 13.78% | 8.27% (40% TR) |
Officers who joined before 2015 may retain some benefits under the PPS 1987 or NPPS 2006, depending on when they transitioned to PPS 2015 under the McCloud remedy.
| Allowance | Rate / Notes |
|---|---|
| Unsocial Hours Allowance | 12.5% of salary for qualifying hours (weekends, nights, Bank Holidays) |
| On-Call Allowance | Variable; typically £15–£25/hour on standby |
| London Weighting (MPS) | ~£3,000–£5,000 extra; pensionable |
| Dog Handler Allowance | £2,000–£2,500/year |
| Special Priority Payments | For firearms, public order, dogs, RPU — up to £5,000/yr |
| Plain Clothes Allowance | Small annual sum for detective/plainclothes officers |
| Reserve / Special Constable | Separate voluntary rates |