Nurse vs Paramedic Salary

Side-by-side comparison of Nurse and Paramedic pay after tax in the UK.

Nurse
£29,970
gross per year
£2,092/mo
take home
vs
Paramedic
£29,000
gross per year
£2,033/mo
take home
Income tax-£3,480
Income tax-£3,286
National Insurance-£1,392
National Insurance-£1,314
Take home yearly£25,098
Take home yearly£24,400

The Difference

A Nurse earns £970 more per year before tax. After tax, the difference is £698/year or £58/month.

See full breakdowns: Nurse salary · Paramedic salary

Training and Qualification Comparison

Nurse: 3 years (nursing degree). Average salary: £29,000/year.

Paramedic: 3 years (paramedic science degree). Average salary: £29,000/year.

Pension and Benefits

Nurses typically receive: NHS Pension (20.68% employer). Paramedics typically receive: NHS Pension (20.68% employer). Pension benefits can add 15-30% to the effective value of a salary, making them an important factor when comparing career options. Public sector pensions (NHS, Teachers', Police) are generally more generous than most private sector equivalents.

Which Career Pays More Long-Term?

Starting salaries for nurses and paramedics are similar (within £0). The long-term earning trajectory, pension value, job satisfaction, and work-life balance may be more important factors than starting salary when choosing between these careers. See detailed breakdowns: Nurse salary and Paramedic salary.

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