How tax on £18,000 is worked out
The first £12,570 is your tax-free Personal Allowance. The rest, £5,430, is taxed in bands:
- £5,430 at 20% = £1,086.00
Total income tax: £1,086.00 a year (£90.50 a month).
National Insurance on £18,000
You pay Class 1 National Insurance on earnings above £12,570:
- £5,430 at 8% = £434.40
Total National Insurance: £434.40 a year.
£18,000 after tax in Scotland
Scottish taxpayers on £18,000 pay £1,046 income tax and take home £16,519 a year (£1,377 a month). That's £40 a year more than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. National Insurance is the same everywhere in the UK.
How £18,000 compares
A £1,000 pay rise on £18,000 would add about £60.00 a month to your take-home pay (£720 a year), because 28p of each extra pound goes on tax and National Insurance.
| Salary | Take-home a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| £13,000 | £12,880 | £1,073 |
| £17,000 | £15,760 | £1,313 |
| £19,000 | £17,200 | £1,433 |
| £23,000 | £20,080 | £1,673 |
| £28,000 | £23,680 | £1,973 |
These figures use the standard 1257L tax code and 2026/27 rates. Your payslip can differ slightly because payroll works out tax each pay period, and because of benefits in kind, overtime or a different tax code. For your exact situation use the take-home pay calculator, or convert pay with our hourly rate calculator and pro rata salary calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is £18,000 a month after tax?
On a £18,000 salary you take home about £1,373.30 a month in 2026/27 if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, after income tax and National Insurance and before any pension or student loan deductions.
What tax band is a £18,000 salary?
A £18,000 salary is basic rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You pay £1,086 income tax a year, an effective rate of 6.0% of your gross pay.
How much is £18,000 a year per hour?
Based on a 37.5-hour week, £18,000 a year works out at £9.23 an hour before tax. After tax and National Insurance it's about £8.45 an hour.
How much is £18,000 after tax in Scotland?
In Scotland you take home £16,519 a year (£1,377 a month), which is £40 more than in the rest of the UK because Scotland has different income tax bands.
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Last reviewed October 2026. Figures are estimates for guidance only.