Updated for 2025/26
£12,480 vs £31,980 Salary Comparison
Compare a £12,480 salary against £31,980. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£19,500
per year
Take Home Extra
+£1,172.10
per month
You Keep
72%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£70,326
cumulative
Entry-Level Career Progression
This comparison is typical for early career moves or first promotions. At this salary range, most of your income is taxed at the basic rate (20%), so you keep a higher percentage of any raise.
- Negotiate hard - you keep ~70-80% of any increase at this level
- Consider employers offering good pension matching (often worth more than small salary differences)
- Look for roles with clear progression paths to higher bands
- Factor in benefits like free lunches, gym memberships, or transport subsidies
Compare Salaries
Enter multiple salaries to compare take-home pay for 2025/26
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Comparison Results
| Metric | £12,480 | £31,980 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £12,480 | £31,980 | £19,500 |
| Income Tax | £0 | £3,882 | £3,882 |
| National Insurance | £0 | £1,553 | £1,553 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £12,480 | £26,545 | £14,065 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,040 | £2,212 | £1,172 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% | 17.0% | 17.0% |
£12,480
Gross£12,480
Take-Home£12,480
You Keep100.0%
£31,980
Gross£31,980
Take-Home£26,545
You Keep83.0%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£12,480
Tax BandPersonal Allowance
Marginal Rate0%
Income Tax£0.00
National Insurance£0.00
Take Home (Monthly)£1,040.00
£31,980
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£3,882.00
National Insurance£1,552.80
Take Home (Monthly)£2,212.10
Tax Band Change: This salary increase crosses from the Personal Allowance (0%) into the Basic Rate (20%). The portion above £12,570.00 will be taxed at the higher rate.
What £1,172.10 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
£14,065.20/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £12,480 vs £31,980
£12,480
- Gross Pay£12,480.00
- Take Home (Year)£12,480.00
- Take Home (Month)£1,040.00
- Effective Tax Rate0.0%
£31,980
- Gross Pay£31,980.00
- Take Home (Year)£26,545.20
- Take Home (Month)£2,212.10
- Effective Tax Rate17.0%
The difference in take-home pay is £14,065 per year, which works out to £1,172.10 per month.