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What do you actually take home?

Enter your salary — see tax, NI, pension and student loan at a glance

✓2026/27 HMRC rates✓No sign up✓Free

Your details

£
0%
0%60%

The standard code for most UK employees. You receive the full £12,570 personal allowance tax-free.

Only relevant if you or your partner earns over £60,000 and claims Child Benefit

Your breakdown

Take-home pay

£18,640

/yr

Effective rate11.2%
Marginal rate28%
Tax bandBasic rate
Take-homeIncome TaxNI
Gross salary
£21,000
Income TaxBasic rate
−£1,686
National Insurance
−£674
Take-home
£18,640
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In plain English

On a £21,000 gross salary in England & Wales, you're in the Basic rate band (20% income tax). After paying £1,686 in income tax and £674 in National Insurance, you take home £18,640 per year — that's £1,553 a month or £358 a week. Your effective overall deduction rate is 11.2%. Every extra pound you earn above this is taxed at 28p in the pound.

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£21,000 salary after tax — 2026/27 breakdown

Annual take-home

£18,640

Monthly take-home

£1,553

Weekly take-home

£358

Tax band

Basic rate

Deductions at a glance

Gross salary£21,000
Income Tax (20%)−£1,686
National Insurance (8%)−£674
Take-home pay£18,640

A £21,000 salary is a typical starting point for many early-career roles in the UK — from administrative and customer-facing positions to junior public-sector jobs and some graduate schemes. It sits below the UK median full-time wage, which is currently around £35,000, but can stretch further in lower cost-of-living areas outside major cities.

After income tax and National Insurance you take home £18,640 per year — that is £1,553 per month or £358 per week. All of your taxable income falls within the basic rate band, so every pound of taxable earnings is taxed at 20%. These figures assume the standard 1257L tax code, no pension contributions and no student loan repayments.

Even at this salary level, auto-enrolment pension contributions are worth taking seriously. A 5% salary sacrifice contribution costs you less in take-home pay than it adds to your pension pot, because it reduces your taxable income and NI at the same time. Use the calculator above to see exactly how different contribution percentages affect your monthly pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much is £21,000 a year after tax?

On a £21,000 salary in England and Wales for 2026/27, your take-home pay is £18,640 per year — that's £1,553 per month or £358 per week. This assumes the standard 1257L tax code, no pension contributions and no student loan.

How much income tax do I pay on £21,000?

You pay no tax on the first £12,570 (your personal allowance). The remaining £8,430 is taxed at the basic rate of 20%, giving an income tax bill of £1,686 per year.

How much National Insurance do I pay on £21,000?

National Insurance is charged at 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270. On a £21,000 salary that is 8% of £8,430, coming to £674 per year.

Is £21,000 a good salary in the UK?

£21,000 is below the UK median full-time wage (around £35,000) and is typical for early-career roles. Outside London and other high cost-of-living areas, the £1,553 monthly take-home is a solid foundation. It becomes increasingly comfortable as you progress through your career and your salary grows.

Should I pay into a pension on £21,000?

Yes — even small contributions make a significant difference over time. If your employer offers salary sacrifice, a 5% contribution on £21,000 (£1,050/year) reduces your taxable income, saving you both income tax and NI. The actual cost to your monthly take-home is lower than the contribution amount. Start early and increase contributions whenever you receive a pay rise.