UK rank (all employees)24th percentile
Take-home / year£18,640
Take-home / month£1,553
Take-home / week£358
Effective / hour£8.96
Where the money goes
| Gross salary | £21,000 |
|---|---|
| Income tax | −£1,686 |
| National Insurance | −£674 |
| Take-home pay | £18,640 |
Rest-of-UK tax rules, 2026/27 rates, 40h/week over 52 weeks, no pension or student loan. Adjust these in the calculator →
Live in Scotland? See £21,000 under Scottish tax rules →
Income tax band breakdown
| Band | Rate | On | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | 0% | £12,570 | £0 |
| Basic rate | 20% | £8,430 | £1,686 |
You are in the basic rate (20%) band.
How £21,000 compares
By gross pay this salary sits at about the 10th percentile or below of full-time employees, and the 24th percentile of all employees (ONS ASHE via Nomis).
It is about 21% below the same-hours minimum-wage floor of £26,437 (£12.71/hr).
£21,000 after tax — FAQ
How much is £21,000 after tax?
A £21,000 gross salary leaves about £18,640 a year after tax — roughly £1,553 a month — once £1,686 income tax and £674 National Insurance are deducted (rest-of-UK rules, 2026/27, no pension or student loan).
What is £21,000 a year per month after tax?
About £1,553 a month, or roughly £358 a week, based on the £18,640 annual take-home for 2026/27.
How much tax do you pay on £21,000?
On £21,000 you pay about £1,686 in income tax and £674 in National Insurance, putting you in the basic rate (20%) band.
What is £21,000 a year per hour?
At 40 hours a week over 52 weeks, £21,000 is about £10.10 an hour gross, or £8.96 an hour after tax.
Is £21,000 a good salary in the UK?
£21,000 sits at about the 24th percentile of UK employees by gross pay, which is below the UK median, so lower than most people earn — though what counts as 'good' depends on your hours, location and outgoings.