How a £48,000 salary is taxed in 2026/27
Income tax. After the £12,570 personal allowance, £35,430 is taxable: £35,430 at 20%. That is £7,086 of income tax — an effective rate of 14.8% on the full salary even though your top rate is 20%. You are £2,270 below the higher-rate threshold of £50,270; pay above it is taxed at 40% (plus 2% NI).
National Insurance. Employees pay Class 1 NI of 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above, so £48,000 costs £2,834 a year (£236 a month). NI is the same in Scotland.
Scotland. Scottish taxpayers use six bands (19%, 20%, 21%, 42%, 45% and 48%). At £48,000 your top Scottish band is the higher rate (42%) and you pay £8,142 income tax — £1,056 more than in the rest of the UK, leaving £37,024 a year.
Student loan and pension. A Plan 2 loan takes 9% of pay above £29,385, or £1,675 a year (£140 a month), cutting take-home to £36,405. A 5% workplace pension (£2,400) costs you only £1,920 in take-home under a net pay arrangement because it comes out before income tax, or £1,728 through salary sacrifice, which also saves NI.
A raise from here. A £1,000 pay rise to £49,000 adds £720 to take-home in England, Wales and NI — you keep 72p of each extra pound (marginal deduction rate 28%; 50% in Scotland).
Nearby salaries after tax
| Salary | E, W & NI / yr | / month | Scotland / yr | / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £46,000 | £36,640 | £3,053 | £36,024 | £3,002 |
| £47,000 | £37,360 | £3,113 | £36,524 | £3,044 |
| £48,000 | £38,080 | £3,173 | £37,024 | £3,085 |
| £49,000 | £38,800 | £3,233 | £37,524 | £3,127 |
| £50,000 | £39,520 | £3,293 | £38,024 | £3,169 |
FAQ
How much is £48,000 after tax in 2026/27?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a £48,000 salary leaves £38,080 a year after £7,086 income tax and £2,834 National Insurance, with no pension or student loan. In Scotland the take-home is £37,024 because Scottish income tax is £8,142.
How much is £48,000 a year per month after tax?
About £3,173 a month in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and £3,085 a month in Scotland. Gross monthly pay is £4,000. With a Plan 2 student loan the monthly figure falls to £3,034.
What is £48,000 a year per hour after tax?
Based on a 37.5-hour week (1,950 hours a year), £48,000 is £24.62 an hour before tax and £19.53 an hour after income tax and NI (£18.99 in Scotland). Weekly take-home is £732.30.
What tax band is £48,000 in?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the top slice of £48,000 falls in the basic rate (20%). In Scotland it falls in the higher rate (42%). Only the income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
How much student loan do I repay on £48,000?
On Plan 2 you repay 9% of income above £29,385, which is £1,675 a year or about £140 a month in 2026/27. Plan 1 (£26,900), Plan 4 (£33,795) and Plan 5 (£25,000) use different thresholds.
Assumptions & sources
- Annual figures for the 2026/27 tax year; your payslip may differ slightly because PAYE and NI are worked out each pay period and rounded.
- Rest of UK: personal allowance £12,570 (reduced by £1 for every £2 over £100,000), 20% to £50,270, 40% to £125,140, 45% above. Scotland: 19% / 20% / 21% / 42% / 45% / 48% with bands at £16,537, £29,526, £43,662, £75,000 and £125,140.
- Employee NI category A: 8% between £12,570 and £50,270, 2% above. Plan 2 student loan 9% above £29,385.
- Sources: GOV.UK Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027; gov.scot Scottish Income Tax 2026 to 2027. Data as of 2026-11-03.
Need a bonus, a different pension percentage or Plan 1/4/5? Use the UK take-home pay calculator or the salary after tax hub.