Understanding Police Salary UK: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay and Overtime

If you are considering a career in policing or comparing job offers, knowing how police salary UK translates from annual figures to hourly pay is essential. Police officers in England and Wales are paid according to national pay scales set by the Home Office, with additional allowances for London and overtime enhancements. This article breaks down the latest rates, explains the conversion, and compares them with other public sector roles such as the NHS.

Police Constable Pay Scales (2025/26)

From 1 September 2025, constables who joined on or after 1 April 2013 are paid on a seven-point scale. The annual salaries are:

• Pay point 1: £31,164
• Pay point 2: £32,472
• Pay point 3: £33,789
• Pay point 4: £35,106
• Pay point 5: £37,737
• Pay point 6: £43,038
• Pay point 7: £50,256

These figures come from the official GOV.UK determination. Officers typically progress one pay point each year, reaching the top of the scale within six years, subject to meeting the Pay Progression Standard.

Converting Annual Police Salary to Hourly Rate

Full-time police officers work a standard 40-hour week. To find the hourly rate, divide the annual salary by 2,085.6 (52.14 weeks × 40 hours). For example:

• Pay point 1: £31,164 ÷ 2,085.6 = £14.95 per hour
• Pay point 5: £37,737 ÷ 2,085.6 = £18.10 per hour
• Pay point 7: £50,256 ÷ 2,085.6 = £24.11 per hour

This calculation is the same method used by the Police Federation and overtime calculators. If you are comparing with a salaried role that uses a different weekly hours assumption (e.g., 37.5 hours for NHS), you should adjust the divisor accordingly. Our Hourly to Salary tool can help you convert any rate.

London Weighting

Officers serving in the Metropolitan Police or City of London Police receive an additional £3,150 per year on top of their base salary. This London weighting is paid as a flat annual sum, not a percentage. For part-time officers, the hourly rate is increased by a proportional amount calculated as £3,150 × 6/12520. This means a constable on pay point 1 in London would earn £34,314 annually before overtime.

Police Overtime Rates

Police overtime is paid at different rates depending on when the extra hours are worked:

• Rest day working: Time and a third (×1.33) – the standard Federation rate for being called in on a rest day.
• Bank holidays and public holidays: Typically double time (×2).
• Unsocial hours (8pm–6am): An additional 10% enhancement on top of any overtime rate.

For example, a constable on pay point 5 (£18.10/hr) working an 8-hour rest day shift would earn £18.10 × 1.33 × 8 = £192.56 before tax. For a bank holiday shift at double time, that rises to £289.60.

Comparing Police Salary with NHS Pay

The NHS Agenda for Change pay scales for 2026/27 (effective 1 April 2026) provide a useful comparison. A newly qualified nurse starts at Band 5 with an annual salary of £32,073, which equates to £16.40 per hour (based on 37.5 hours per week, divisor 1,955.25). The NHS also has its own overtime structure: time and a third for weekday extra hours, time and a half for Saturdays, and double time for Sundays and bank holidays.

While police starting pay (£31,164) is slightly lower than NHS Band 5 entry, police constables can reach £50,256 within six years, whereas NHS progression through bands is slower and often requires additional qualifications or role changes.

Median Earnings and Workforce Composition

According to Home Office evidence submitted to the Police Remuneration Review Body, median basic pay for constables in 2025 was £39,688 across England and Wales, and £45,140 in London. These medians are lower than the top of the scale because many officers are on lower pay points due to recent recruitment. The Home Office cautions that year-on-year comparisons should account for changes in workforce composition.

Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

• Police salary UK offers clear progression: from £31,164 to £50,256 for constables, with incremental rises each year.
• Hourly rates range from £14.95 to £24.11, with London weighting adding roughly £1.51 per hour.
• Overtime can significantly boost earnings, especially on bank holidays.
• When comparing with salaried offers, always check the weekly hours assumption and whether London weighting applies.

For more detailed breakdowns of public sector pay, visit our salary articles covering NHS, teaching, and civil service scales.

Conclusion

Understanding police salary UK means looking beyond the headline annual figure. By converting to an hourly rate and factoring in London weighting and overtime, you can make a fair comparison with other roles. The police pay structure rewards length of service with guaranteed increments, and overtime rates are generous for rest day and bank holiday work. Whether you are a new recruit or considering a move from another sector, these figures provide a solid basis for evaluating your options.