£20,000 after tax and NI: what’s your take-home pay?
In 2025/26, £20,000 leaves £17,919.60 a year — £1,493 a month — in England, Wales or Northern Ireland on the standard tax code. Adjust anything below to match your situation.
Parsed as: 1257L (£12,570 allowance, England & NI)
The £20,000 breakdown, explained
On a £20,000 salary in 2025/26 you take home £17,919.60 a year in England, Wales or Northern Ireland — that's £1,493 a month, after £1,486.00 of income tax and £594.40 of National Insurance on the standard 1257L code. Everything above your £12,570 personal allowance is taxed at the 20% basic rate, and you're a comfortable £30,270 clear of the £50,270 higher-rate threshold. In Scotland, £20,000 attracts £28.27 less income tax (£1,457.73 in total), thanks to the 19% starter rate on the first slice above the allowance. All in, 10.4% of a £20,000 salary goes in deductions before it reaches your bank.
£20,000 across the UK
| Where you live | Income tax | National Insurance | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| England & NI | £1,486.00 | £594.40 | £17,919.60 |
| Scotland | £1,457.73 | £594.40 | £17,947.87 |
| Wales | £1,486.00 | £594.40 | £17,919.60 |
Scottish taxpayers save £28.27 income tax on £20,000 than those in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. National Insurance is the same UK-wide.
Nearby salaries
£17,000 after tax
Take-home £15,759.60 a year (£1,313/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdown£18,000 after tax
Take-home £16,479.60 a year (£1,373/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdown£19,000 after tax
Take-home £17,199.60 a year (£1,433/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdown£21,000 after tax
Take-home £18,639.60 a year (£1,553/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdown£22,000 after tax
Take-home £19,359.60 a year (£1,613/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdown£23,000 after tax
Take-home £20,079.60 a year (£1,673/month) in 2025/26.
See breakdownOr browse every salary breakdown.
£20,000 questions, answered
Sources: income tax rates · National Insurance rates · Scottish income tax