Required Salary Calculator
Find out what gross salary you need to earn to hit your target take-home pay, after tax, NI, and student loan deductions.
How much you want to take home per year
Employee contribution as a percentage of gross salary
Check your payslip or ask your employer
Annual taxable value of non-cash benefits (e.g. company car, private medical)
Scotland has different income tax bands
Salary needed for your target take-home
This calculator works backwards through HMRC 2026/27 income tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan deductions to find the gross salary you need. It covers England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Quick answers by monthly take-home
| Take-home per month | Take-home per year | Salary needed |
|---|---|---|
| £1,500 | £18,000 | £20,112 |
| £2,000 | £24,000 | £28,445 |
| £2,500 | £30,000 | £36,779 |
| £3,000 | £36,000 | £45,112 |
| £3,500 | £42,000 | £54,212 |
| £4,000 | £48,000 | £64,556 |
| £5,000 | £60,000 | £85,247 |
England, Wales and Northern Ireland, no pension or student loan. Both would raise the salary you need.
Why gross is so much higher than net
The gap widens as you earn more: higher slices are taxed at 40% and 45%, and between £100,000 and £125,140 the Personal Allowance taper applies.