Is the Pay Rise Worth It?
Moving from £120,000 to £150,000 is a gross increase of £30,000. But after tax and NI, you actually take home £14,744 more per year — that's £1,229 extra per month.
You keep 49% of the pay rise. The rest goes to income tax and National Insurance.
Tax Band Impact
Both salaries are above £100,000. Personal allowance taper and the additional rate (45% above £125,140) make tax planning with pensions, ISAs, and possibly VCT/EIS investments essential at this level.
What the Difference Means in Practice
An extra £1,228 per month could cover a transformative change in financial capacity including premium housing, significant investment, or major lifestyle upgrades. An increase of this magnitude usually requires a major career move such as stepping into senior leadership, changing industries, or relocating to a higher-paying region.
What Does the £30,000 Difference Mean?
Both salaries are above the higher-rate threshold (£50,270). Income above this level is taxed at 40% plus 2% NI, meaning you keep only about 58p of each additional £1 earned.
A £30,000 salary difference results in roughly £1450/month more take home pay. This is substantial — enough to upgrade housing, accelerate mortgage payments, or significantly boost savings and investments.
Is the Jump Worth It?
When evaluating a pay rise from £120,000 to £150,000, consider the full picture: pension contributions (employer may contribute a percentage of the higher salary), student loan repayments (which increase with salary), and any changes in benefits or working conditions. A higher salary also increases your mortgage borrowing power — at 4.5x salary, the mortgage difference is £135,000. See the full breakdowns: £120,000 after tax and £150,000 after tax.
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Calculate your take home pay →See the full breakdown: £120,000 salary · £150,000 salary