£21,000 after tax: the breakdown
| A year | A month | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay before tax | £21,000 | £1,750 |
| Income tax | −£1,686 | −£140 |
| National Insurance | −£674 | −£56 |
| Take-home pay | £18,640 | £1,553 |
- You’re a basic-rate taxpayer. Income tax is 20% of your pay above the £12,570 personal allowance, and National Insurance is 8%.
- Of each extra £100 you earn, you keep about £72.
With a pension or student loan
| A month | A year | |
|---|---|---|
| No pension or student loan | £1,553 | £18,640 |
| With a 5% workplace pension | £1,483 | £17,800 |
| With a Plan 2 student loan | £1,553 | £18,640 |
| With both | £1,483 | £17,800 |
A 5% pension is paid before tax, so it costs you less than 5% of your take-home pay. Plan 2 student loan repayments are 9% of your pay over £29,385.
Other salaries
Questions
How much is £21,000 a year after tax per month?
£21,000 a year is about £1,553 a month after income tax and National Insurance in 2026/27, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with no pension or student loan.
How much is £21,000 a year per week after tax?
About £358 a week, or £9.56 an hour for a 37.5-hour week.
How much tax do I pay on £21,000?
About £1,686 income tax and £674 National Insurance a year, 11.2% of your pay in total.
Figures assume your tax code is 1257L and no other income, benefits or bonuses. Scotland has different income tax rates. A guide, not financial advice.
Last checked against GOV.UK: 9 October 2026