Police Salary Myths: Hourly Pay, Overtime and London Weighting

When it comes to understanding a police salary, there are plenty of misconceptions. From how hourly rates are calculated to what overtime actually pays, many officers and job seekers rely on assumptions that don't match the official figures. This article clears up the most common myths using the latest UK pay data from GOV.UK, the Home Office, and NHS Employers.

Myth 1: A Police Officer’s Hourly Rate Is Just Annual Salary Divided by 52 Weeks

Many people assume that converting an annual police salary to an hourly rate is as simple as dividing by 52 weeks and then by 40 hours. While that gives a rough figure, the official calculation uses 52.14 weeks (to account for the extra day each year). For a full-time constable on pay point 1 (£31,164), the correct hourly rate is £31,164 ÷ 2,085.6 (40 hrs × 52.14) = £14.95. This is the base rate before any allowances or overtime.

For part-time officers, the formula is even more specific. According to GOV.UK’s Annex F, the hourly rate is calculated by multiplying the annual salary by 6/12520. This is not a simple pro-rata of the full-time rate, so part-time officers should use the official method rather than guessing.

Myth 2: Overtime Is Always Time and a Half

A common belief is that all police overtime is paid at time and a half (×1.5). In reality, the standard rate for working on a rest day is time and a third (×1.33). Bank holidays typically attract double time (×2). Unsocial hours between 8pm and 6am add a 10% enhancement on top of the overtime rate. For example, a constable at pay point 5 (£37,737) has a base hourly rate of £18.10. On a rest day shift, that becomes £24.07/hr (×1.33). If any of those hours fall between 8pm and 6am, an extra £1.81/hr is added. Always check your force’s local agreement, as some forces may have variations.

Myth 3: London Weighting Is a Percentage of Salary

London weighting for police is not a percentage; it’s a flat annual sum of £3,150 for officers in the City of London and Metropolitan Police forces. This is added to the base salary and is also factored into part-time hourly rates. For a full-time constable, that works out to roughly £1.51 per hour extra. Importantly, this weighting does not apply to all forces in the London area – only those two specific forces.

Myth 4: Police Pay Progression Is Automatic

While constables who joined on or after 1 April 2013 can reach the top of their pay scale (pay point 7, £50,256) within six years, progression is not automatic. Since April 2023, incremental pay rises depend on meeting the Pay Progression Standard (PPS) in the previous 12 months. This means officers must demonstrate competence to move up the scale. The Home Office evidence to the Police Remuneration Review Body confirms that a typical constable will reach £50,256 within six years, but only if they meet the PPS requirements.

How Police Salary Compares to Other Public Sector Roles

To put police pay in context, the UK median full-time gross annual pay is around £39,039 (2026/27), which equates to about £20.02/hr at 37.5 hours per week. A police constable starting at £31,164 (£14.95/hr) is below the median, but with progression and overtime, many officers earn significantly more. For comparison, NHS Agenda for Change Band 5 (qualified nurse) starts at £32,073 for 2026/27, with an hourly rate of £16.40 (based on 37.5 hrs/week). Police officers work a standard 40-hour week, so the hourly rate appears lower, but the annual salary can be competitive when including London weighting and overtime.

Using Our Tools to Convert Your Police Salary

If you’re trying to work out your hourly rate or compare job offers, our Hourly to Salary calculator can help. Simply enter your annual salary and your contracted hours per week, and it will give you the hourly equivalent using the standard 52.14-week year. For more detailed comparisons across different roles, visit our salary data page.

Key Takeaways

• Police constable starting salary is £31,164 (from September 2025), with top of scale at £50,256.
• Hourly rate for full-time officers is annual salary ÷ 2,085.6 (40 hrs × 52.14 weeks).
• Overtime rates vary: rest days ×1.33, bank holidays ×2, unsocial hours +10%.
• London weighting is a flat £3,150 for Met and City of London officers only.
• Part-time hourly rate uses the formula: annual × 6/12520.
• Always check your force’s local policies and your contract for exact pay.

Understanding your police salary isn’t just about the headline figure. By knowing how hourly rates, overtime, and allowances work, you can make better financial decisions and avoid common myths. For more articles on UK pay, see our salary articles and topics pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is police overtime always paid at time and a half? No. Standard rest day working is paid at time and a third (×1.33), while bank holidays typically attract double time (×2). Unsocial hours between 8pm and 6am add a 10% enhancement on top of the overtime rate. Some forces may have local variations, so always check your force’s policy. Official rates are set by the Police Remuneration Review Body and published by GOV.UK.

Does London weighting apply to all police officers in the capital? No. Only officers serving in the City of London Police or the Metropolitan Police receive the London weighting of £3,150 per year (with effect from 1 September 2025). Officers in other forces within the Greater London area, such as the British Transport Police, are not covered by this specific allowance. The weighting is paid as an addition to base salary and is also factored into part-time hourly rates.

How do I calculate my hourly rate as a part-time police officer? Part-time police officers' hourly rate is calculated using a specific formula set out in the Police Regulations 2003 (Annex F). You multiply your annual salary by 6/12520. For example, a part-time constable on pay point 1 (£31,164) would have an hourly rate of £31,164 × 6/12520 ≈ £14.93. This is not a simple pro-rata of the full-time hourly rate, so always use the official formula.