Police Inspector & Chief Inspector Pay Scale 2026/27
Reviewed by James Sheridan, CIPP-qualified payroll specialist · Last verified
Your results
- Annual salary
- £71,386.00
- Hourly rate
- £34.23
- Time and a third
- £45.64
Estimates only, based on 2026/27 HMRC rates. Verify against GOV.UK before making payroll decisions.
A police inspector in England and Wales earns £65,999 to £71,386 and a chief inspector earns £74,393 to £77,474 in 2026/27. Both are salaried ranks and do not receive paid overtime. This page covers the full pay scales, promotion from sergeant, pension and take-home estimates. For all ranks, see the [police pay scale calculator](/police-pay-scale-calculator/).
How to use this calculator
- Identify your rank and pay point. Inspector has four pay points (PP1–PP4). Chief Inspector has three pay points (PP1–PP3).
- Check the 2026/27 salary. The confirmed 3.5% uplift applies from 1 September 2026 to all ranks.
- Note: no paid overtime. Inspectors and above are salaried. Rest-day compensation varies by force.
- Estimate take-home. Deduct 12.44% pension, income tax and National Insurance from gross salary.
How it is calculated
Inspector and Chief Inspector are salaried ranks. The hourly rate is notional only: annual salary ÷ 2,085.6. No paid overtime applies, though some forces offer rest-day compensation or time off in lieu. Pension is 12.44% of pensionable pay under the CARE 2015 scheme.
Inspector pay scale 2026/27
An inspector progresses through four pay points.
| Pay point | Annual salary | Monthly gross | Hourly rate (notional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £65,999 | £5,500 | £31.65 |
| PP2 | £68,124 | £5,677 | £32.66 |
| PP3 | £70,237 | £5,853 | £33.68 |
| PP4 | £71,386 | £5,949 | £34.23 |
On promotion from sergeant PP3 (£58,175), a new inspector moves to PP1 (£65,999), an increase of £7,824. However, the loss of paid overtime can reduce actual take-home pay for officers who previously worked significant rest-day shifts.
Chief Inspector pay scale 2026/27
A chief inspector progresses through three pay points.
| Pay point | Annual salary | Monthly gross | Hourly rate (notional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £74,393 | £6,199 | £35.67 |
| PP2 | £76,102 | £6,342 | £36.49 |
| PP3 | £77,474 | £6,456 | £37.15 |
Promotion from inspector PP4 (£71,386) to chief inspector PP1 (£74,393) is an increase of £3,007.
Salaried rank: no paid overtime
Inspector is the first rank in the police service where paid overtime is not available under Police Regulations 2003. This is a significant financial consideration when deciding whether to seek promotion from sergeant.
A sergeant at PP3 (£58,175) who regularly works 8 hours of rest-day overtime per month earns approximately £3,570 in overtime per year, bringing total earnings to around £61,745. An inspector at PP1 earns £65,999 with no overtime. The break-even point depends on how much overtime the sergeant works.
Promotion to inspector (NPPF)
Promotion to inspector requires passing the National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) assessment at inspector level. The process typically includes:
- Eligibility — a minimum period as sergeant (usually 2 years, varies by force)
- National Investigators’ Exam (NIE) or equivalent online assessment
- Work-based assessment — demonstrating operational command competence
- Force selection — may include interview, assessment centre or both
Chief Inspector promotion follows a similar process, with additional emphasis on strategic command. Each force sets its own timeline and requirements.
London Weighting at inspector level
London-based inspectors and chief inspectors receive £3,150 per year. Some London forces also have separate Inspector pay rates that differ slightly from the national scale — check with your force HR.
An inspector at PP4 in London earns £74,536 gross. A chief inspector at PP3 earns £80,624 gross.
Pension at inspector and chief inspector level
All officers contribute 12.44% of pensionable pay to the CARE 2015 scheme.
| Rank | Top pay point | Annual pension | Monthly pension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspector PP4 | £71,386 | £8,880 | £740 |
| Chief Inspector PP3 | £77,474 | £9,638 | £803 |
At these salary levels, a significant portion of income falls in the higher-rate tax band (40% above £50,270 of taxable income). Use the [take-home pay calculator](/take-home-pay-calculator/) for an accurate breakdown.
Superintendent and Chief Superintendent
Above Chief Inspector, the superintendent ranks are:
- Superintendent: £97,014–£106,419 (four pay points)
- Chief Superintendent: £109,806–£115,383 (three pay points)
These ranks are salaried and subject to the Senior Salary Review Body recommendations. Promotion to superintendent requires the Strategic Command Course or equivalent. See the main [police pay scale calculator](/police-pay-scale-calculator/) for the full table.
Key rates — tax year 2026/27
Source: GOV.UK, "Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027" (HMRC).
| Employer NI main rate | 15% |
|---|---|
| Secondary threshold (annual) | £5,000.00 |
| Employment Allowance | £10,500.00 |
| Employee NI main rate | 8% |
| Primary threshold (annual) | £12,570.00 |
| Personal Allowance | £12,570.00 |
| Basic income tax rate | 20% |
| SSP weekly rate | £123.25 |
| SMP weekly rate (flat weeks) | £194.32 |
| Auto-enrolment employer minimum | 3% |
| Auto-enrolment employee minimum | 5% |
| National Living Wage (21+, per hour) | £12.71 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a police inspector’s salary in 2026?
An inspector in England and Wales earns £65,999 to £71,386 across four pay points in 2026/27. Monthly gross ranges from £5,500 to £5,949.
Do inspectors get paid overtime?
No. Inspector is a salaried rank. There is no entitlement to paid overtime. Some forces offer rest-day compensation or time off in lieu at their discretion.
Is promotion from sergeant to inspector worth it financially?
It depends on overtime. An inspector at PP1 earns £65,999, which is £7,824 more than a sergeant at PP3. But a sergeant who works regular overtime could earn more than an inspector in total.
What is a Chief Inspector’s salary?
A Chief Inspector earns £74,393 to £77,474 across three pay points in 2026/27.
What pension do inspectors pay?
Inspectors contribute 12.44% under the CARE 2015 scheme. At PP4 (£71,386), this is £8,880 per year.
How much does a superintendent earn?
A superintendent earns £97,014 to £106,419 and a Chief Superintendent earns £109,806 to £115,383 in 2026/27.
What is the London Weighting for inspectors?
Metropolitan Police and City of London inspectors receive £3,150 per year on top of the national pay scale.
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