Salary by Profession in the UK: Compare Jobs, Regions and Pay LevelsHow Much Do Police Officers Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide
Complete guide to police officer salaries in the UK for 2026. Constable to Chief Constable pay scales, detective pay, overtime and allowances, regional differences, and police pension details.
Policing is a structured public sector career with clear pay scales, good benefits, and one of the strongest pensions available. Here’s a full breakdown of what police officers earn at every rank.
For a broader comparison across occupations and pay bands, see our Salary by Profession hub.
Police Constable Pay Scale (England & Wales 2025/26)
Pay Points
| Pay Point | Salary |
|---|
| 0 (starting) | £28,551 |
| 1 | £31,674 |
| 2 | £33,708 |
| 3 | £36,408 |
| 4 | £39,150 |
| 5 | £42,330 |
| 6 | £44,064 |
| 7 (top of scale) | £46,044 |
Progression
| Factor | Details |
|---|
| Annual increments | One pay point per year (subject to performance) |
| Probation | 2-year probationary period |
| Time to top of scale | Approximately 7 years |
| Performance requirement | Satisfactory performance to progress |
Salary by Rank
England and Wales
| Rank | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|
| Police Constable | £28,551 | £46,044 |
| Sergeant | £47,784 | £52,977 |
| Inspector | £58,332 | £63,912 |
| Chief Inspector | £63,912 | £68,835 |
| Superintendent | £77,835 | £86,970 |
| Chief Superintendent | £91,749 | £95,604 |
| Assistant Chief Constable | £115,350-£130,000 | Varies by force |
| Deputy Chief Constable | £130,000-£175,000 | Varies by force |
| Chief Constable | £157,000-£297,000+ | Varies by force |
Metropolitan Police (London) Additional Ranks
| Rank | Salary Range |
|---|
| Commander | £130,000-£145,000 |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner | £155,000-£170,000 |
| Assistant Commissioner | £205,000-£225,000 |
| Deputy Commissioner | £260,000-£280,000 |
| Commissioner | £292,938+ |
Detective and Specialist Pay
Detectives and specialist roles are paid at the same rank-based scale but may receive additional allowances.
| Role | Rank/Pay | Additional |
|---|
| Detective Constable (DC) | Constable pay scale | No additional (detective status) |
| Detective Sergeant (DS) | Sergeant pay scale | No additional |
| Detective Inspector (DI) | Inspector pay scale | No additional |
| Firearms officer | Constable+ scale | Specialist allowance |
| Dog handler | Constable+ scale | Dog handler’s allowance |
| Covert/undercover officer | Constable+ scale | Additional risk allowance |
Note: CID/detective roles carry the same base pay as uniformed equivalents
London and Regional Allowances
London Allowances
| Allowance | Annual Value |
|---|
| London Allowance (Met Police) | £2,697 |
| London Weighting (Met Police) | £4,338 |
| South East Allowance (surrounding forces) | £2,000-£3,000 |
Total London Impact
| Rank | Base | London Total |
|---|
| New constable | £28,551 | £35,586 |
| Top constable | £46,044 | £53,079 |
| Sergeant (mid) | £50,000 | £57,035 |
| Inspector (mid) | £61,000 | £68,035 |
Overtime and Additional Payments
Overtime Rates
| Circumstance | Rate |
|---|
| Overtime on normal working day | Time and a third |
| Rest day working (15+ days notice) | Time and a half |
| Rest day working (<15 days notice) | Double time |
| Public/bank holiday | Double time |
| Cancelled rest day (<8 days notice) | Double time |
Shift and Other Allowances
| Allowance | Value |
|---|
| Shift disturbance allowance | Up to 20% of basic pay |
| On-call allowance | £15-£25 per on-call session |
| Competence-related threshold payment (CRTP) | £1,224/year (experienced constables) |
| Dog handler’s allowance | Varies by force |
| Detective allowance | Some forces — not all |
| Plain clothes allowance | £250-£600/year |
Overtime Earnings Example
| Scenario (Constable, mid-scale ~£39,000) | Additional Annual |
|---|
| Regular overtime (4 hours/week) | £4,000-£6,000 |
| Occasional rest day working | £2,000-£4,000 |
| Events/operations (football, protests) | £3,000-£8,000 |
| Typical total overtime | £3,000-£10,000+ |
| Level | Salary |
|---|
| Starting PCSO | £22,000-£25,000 |
| Experienced PCSO | £25,000-£30,000 |
| Senior PCSO | £28,000-£32,000 |
PCSOs are not warranted officers and have different powers
Police Staff (Civilian Roles)
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|
| Call handler / dispatcher | £22,000-£28,000 |
| Crime scene investigator (CSI) | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Intelligence analyst | £30,000-£42,000 |
| Digital forensic examiner | £32,000-£45,000 |
| Police staff investigator | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Senior analyst | £38,000-£50,000 |
Scotland (Police Scotland)
Police Scotland has a separate but similar pay structure.
| Rank | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|
| Constable | £28,551 | £46,044 |
| Sergeant | £47,784 | £52,977 |
| Inspector | £58,332 | £63,912 |
| Chief Inspector | £63,912 | £68,835 |
| Superintendent | £77,835 | £86,970 |
| Chief Superintendent | £91,749 | £95,604 |
Broadly aligned with England and Wales rates
Police Pension Scheme (2015 CARE Scheme)
The police pension is one of the most generous in the public sector.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Type | Career average (CARE) |
| Accrual rate | 1/55.3 of pensionable pay per year |
| Normal pension age | 60 |
| Revaluation | CPI + 1.25% each year |
| Lump sum | Option to exchange pension for lump sum |
| Ill-health pension | Tier 1, 2, or 3 depending on severity |
| Death in service | Lump sum + survivor pensions |
Officer Contribution Rates
| Salary Range | Contribution Rate |
|---|
| Up to £27,000 | 12.44% |
| £27,001-£60,000 | 13.44% |
| Over £60,000 | 13.78% |
Example Pension
| Scenario | Annual Pension at 60 |
|---|
| 30 years, average salary £40,000 | ~£21,700 |
| 35 years, average salary £45,000 | ~£28,500 |
| 25 years, average salary £55,000 (sergeant/inspector) | ~£24,900 |
Career Progression Timeline
| Stage | Service | Rank | Salary |
|---|
| Recruit | Year 0-2 | Constable (probationary) | £28,551-£33,708 |
| Established officer | Years 3-7 | Constable | £36,408-£46,044 |
| First promotion | Years 5-10 | Sergeant | £47,784-£52,977 |
| Middle management | Years 10-18 | Inspector / Chief Inspector | £58,332-£68,835 |
| Senior officer | Years 15-25 | Superintendent+ | £77,835-£95,604 |
| Chief officer | Years 20+ | ACC / DCC / CC | £115,350-£297,000+ |
Promotion timelines vary enormously — some make sergeant in 4 years, others never
Other Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|
| Annual leave | 22 days rising to 30 after 20 years + bank holidays |
| Sick pay | Full pay for 6 months, half pay for 6 months |
| Free gym/fitness | Most forces provide on-site facilities |
| Blue Light Card | Discounts at 14,000+ retailers |
| Police Mutual | Financial products and discounts |
| Housing allowance | Phased out but some legacy payments |
| Travel | Free or subsidised travel in some forces |
| Retirement age | Can retire at 60 with full pension |
Summary
| Rank | Salary Range |
|---|
| New constable | £28,551 |
| Top constable | £46,044 |
| Sergeant | £47,784-£52,977 |
| Inspector | £58,332-£63,912 |
| Superintendent | £77,835-£95,604 |
| Chief Constable | £157,000-£297,000+ |
| London allowances | +£5,000-£7,500 |
| Overtime potential | +£3,000-£10,000+/year |