Tax on £15,000 Salary in the UK
Full income tax and National Insurance breakdown for a £15,000 gross salary in 2025/26. Figures below are for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (employed, standard personal allowance, no student loan or pension contributions).
A £15,000 salary puts you below the UK median of £35,000 and close to the full-time minimum wage.
Gross Salary
£15,000.00
per year
Income Tax
£486.00
3.2% effective rate
National Insurance
£194.40
employee NI
Take-Home Pay
£14,319.60
£1,193.30 / month
Annual, Monthly & Weekly Breakdown
England, Wales & Northern Ireland — 2025/26
| Annual | Monthly | Weekly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | £15,000.00 | £1,250.00 | £288.46 |
| Income Tax | £486.00 | £40.50 | £9.35 |
| National Insurance | £194.40 | £16.20 | £3.74 |
| Total Deductions | £680.40 | £56.70 | £13.08 |
| Take-Home Pay | £14,319.60 | £1,193.30 | £275.38 |
Income Tax Band Breakdown
Personal Allowance: £12,570.00 — Taxable Income: £2,430.00 — Marginal Rate: 20.0%
| Band | Rate | Taxable Amount | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 20.0% | £2,430.00 | £486.00 |
England vs Scotland Comparison
Scotland uses different income tax rates and bands set by the Scottish Parliament. National Insurance rates are the same across the UK.
| England / Wales / NI | Scotland | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | £486.00 | £461.70 | £-24.30 |
| National Insurance | £194.40 | £194.40 | — |
| Take-Home Pay | £14,319.60 | £14,343.90 | +£24.30 |
What to know at this income level
Salaries under £25,000 are taxed entirely at the 20% basic rate after the Personal Allowance of £12,570. At £20,000, your taxable income is only £7,430 — so you pay just £1,486 in income tax. National Insurance adds 8% on earnings above £12,570. At this level, your employer's auto-enrolment pension contributions (minimum 3%) are building your retirement pot even if it does not feel significant yet. If you are married or in a civil partnership and your partner earns more, Marriage Allowance can save up to £252/year.
Marriage Allowance
If you earn under £12,570, you can transfer £1,260 of your unused Personal Allowance to a basic-rate taxpaying spouse or civil partner, saving them up to £252 per year. Apply through HMRC — it can be backdated up to four years.
Check your tax code
Your tax code (typically 1257L for 2025/26) determines how much your employer deducts. If you have multiple jobs, student loan deductions, or benefits in kind, your code may be wrong — check your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK to avoid overpaying or underpaying.
Workplace pension
Auto-enrolment means your employer contributes at least 3% and you contribute 5%. At £20,000 salary, that is £1,000/year going into your pension with tax relief. Increasing your contribution by even 1% now makes a large difference over decades.
Typical roles at this level: Entry-level retail and hospitality staff, junior administrative roles, apprentices, care workers, teaching assistants, and part-time employees.
Get a personalised calculation
The figures above use standard assumptions. For an accurate take-home pay calculation tailored to your situation — including pension contributions, student loans, and Marriage Allowance — use our free calculator.
Take-Home Pay Calculator →Frequently asked questions
How much income tax do you pay on a £15,000 salary?
On a £15,000 salary in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland for 2025/26, you pay £486.00 in income tax and £194.40 in National Insurance, leaving a take-home pay of £14,319.60 per year (£1,193.30 per month). Your effective income tax rate is 3.2%.
What is the take-home pay for a £15,000 salary?
For a £15,000 gross salary in 2025/26, the estimated take-home pay is £14,319.60 per year or £1,193.30 per month in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, take-home pay is £14,343.90 per year (£1,195.33 per month) due to different income tax rates.
Can I claim Marriage Allowance at this salary?
If you earn less than £12,570, you can transfer £1,260 of your unused Personal Allowance to your spouse or civil partner, as long as they are a basic rate taxpayer (earning under £50,270). This saves up to £252 per year and can be backdated four years through HMRC.