Updated for 2025/26
£42,480 vs £51,480 Salary Comparison
Compare a £42,480 salary against £51,480. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£9,000
per year
Take Home Extra
+£525.88
per month
You Keep
70%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£31,553
cumulative
Mid-Career Sweet Spot
This salary range often represents strong mid-career positions. You're still entirely in the basic rate tax band (20%), making raises very tax-efficient.
- Salary sacrifice for pension can be very efficient at this level
- Consider hybrid or remote roles - commuting costs can eat into raises
- This is often the best time to change industries for a salary bump
- Skills training and certifications can lead to significant jumps
Compare Salaries
Enter multiple salaries to compare take-home pay for 2025/26
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Comparison Results
| Metric | £42,480 | £51,480 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £42,480 | £51,480 | £9,000 |
| Income Tax | £5,982 | £8,024 | £2,042 |
| National Insurance | £2,393 | £3,040 | £647 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £34,105 | £40,416 | £6,311 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £2,842 | £3,368 | £526 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 19.7% | 21.5% | 1.8% |
£42,480
Gross£42,480
Take-Home£34,105
You Keep80.3%
£51,480
Gross£51,480
Take-Home£40,416
You Keep78.5%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£42,480
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£5,982.00
National Insurance£2,392.80
Take Home (Monthly)£2,842.10
£51,480
Tax BandHigher Rate
Marginal Rate40%
Income Tax£8,024.00
National Insurance£3,040.20
Take Home (Monthly)£3,367.98
Tax Band Change: This salary increase crosses from the Basic Rate (20%) into the Higher Rate (40%). The portion above £50,270.00 will be taxed at the higher rate.
What £525.88 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
£6,310.60/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £42,480 vs £51,480
£42,480
- Gross Pay£42,480.00
- Take Home (Year)£34,105.20
- Take Home (Month)£2,842.10
- Effective Tax Rate19.7%
£51,480
- Gross Pay£51,480.00
- Take Home (Year)£40,415.80
- Take Home (Month)£3,367.98
- Effective Tax Rate21.5%
The difference in take-home pay is £6,311 per year, which works out to £525.88 per month.