Police Sergeant Pay Scale 2026/27
Reviewed by James Sheridan, CIPP-qualified payroll specialist · Last verified
Your results
- Annual salary
- £58,175.00
- Hourly rate
- £27.89
- Time and a third
- £37.19
Estimates only, based on 2026/27 HMRC rates. Verify against GOV.UK before making payroll decisions.
A police sergeant in England and Wales earns £55,443 to £58,175 in 2026/27, across three pay points. Sergeants receive the confirmed 3.5% pay rise from 1 September 2026 and remain eligible for paid overtime at time and a third. This page covers the full sergeant pay scale, promotion from constable, overtime calculations and pension. For all ranks, see the [police pay scale calculator](/police-pay-scale-calculator/).
How to use this calculator
- Identify your pay point. Sergeant PP1 is the entry point on promotion. You progress to PP2 and PP3 in subsequent years.
- Check the 2026/27 salary. The confirmed 3.5% uplift applies from 1 September 2026.
- Calculate overtime. Divide annual salary by 2,085.6 for the hourly rate. Multiply by 1.33 for rest-day overtime.
- Estimate take-home. Deduct 12.44% pension, income tax and National Insurance.
How it is calculated
Sergeant hourly rate = annual salary ÷ 2,085.6. Overtime applies at time and a third (×1.33) for rest-day working and double time (×2) for bank holidays. Pension is 12.44% of pensionable pay.
Sergeant pay scale 2026/27
A police sergeant progresses through three pay points, typically advancing one point per year of satisfactory service.
| Pay point | Annual salary | Monthly gross | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £55,443 | £4,620 | £26.58 |
| PP2 | £56,784 | £4,732 | £27.23 |
| PP3 | £58,175 | £4,848 | £27.89 |
On promotion from constable PP7 (£52,014), a new sergeant moves to PP1 (£55,443), an immediate increase of £3,429 per year.
Promotion to sergeant
Promotion to sergeant requires passing the National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) assessment. The process typically involves:
- Eligibility check — minimum two years’ service as a constable (varies by force)
- Online exam — testing knowledge of law, procedure and leadership
- Work-based assessment — demonstrating supervisory competence on the job
- Force selection — some forces run interviews or assessment centres
The old OSPRE Part I and Part II exams have been replaced by the NPPF in most forces. Check your force’s promotion policy for the current process. Detective sergeants follow the same pay scale as uniformed sergeants.
Sergeant overtime and hourly rates
Sergeants are eligible for paid overtime on the same basis as constables. Rest-day working attracts time and a third (×1.33) and bank holidays are double time (×2).
A PP1 sergeant earning £55,443 has an hourly rate of £26.58. A rest-day shift at time and a third pays £35.44 per hour, while a bank-holiday shift at double time pays £53.17 per hour. A PP3 sergeant earning £58,175 has an hourly rate of £27.89. A rest-day shift at time and a third pays £37.19 per hour, while a bank-holiday shift at double time pays £55.79 per hour.
A sergeant who regularly works rest days can earn significantly more than the basic salary. However, overtime is at the discretion of the force and may be subject to local caps or duty-management policies.
London Weighting and allowances
London-based sergeants receive £3,150 per year. A PP3 sergeant in London earns £61,325 gross before deductions.
Additional allowances may apply for specialist roles (dog handler, firearms, on-call). These vary by force and are set locally. Check your force’s terms and conditions for applicable supplements.
Pension contributions at sergeant level
Sergeants contribute 12.44% of pensionable pay to the CARE 2015 pension scheme.
| Pay point | Gross salary | Annual pension | Monthly pension |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £55,443 | £6,897 | £575 |
| PP2 | £56,784 | £7,064 | £589 |
| PP3 | £58,175 | £7,237 | £603 |
Pension is deducted before income tax but after National Insurance. The employer contributes 31% on top.
Progression to inspector
A sergeant at PP3 (£58,175) who passes the NPPF inspector assessment moves to the [inspector pay scale](/police-inspector-pay-calculator/) at £65,999 (PP1), an increase of £7,824. Inspectors are salaried ranks and do not receive paid overtime, so the financial impact of promotion should be considered alongside the loss of overtime earnings.
The NPPF inspector process includes an online exam and an operational assessment. Some forces require a minimum period at sergeant rank before eligibility.
Summary
Sergeant pay runs from £55,443 to £58,175 across three pay points. Overtime at time and a third applies for rest-day working. London Weighting adds £3,150. Pension is 12.44% under the CARE 2015 scheme. For exact take-home figures, use the [take-home pay calculator](/take-home-pay-calculator/) or the [national insurance calculator](/national-insurance-calculator/).
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 sergeant’s salary in 2026?
A police sergeant in England and Wales earns £55,443 to £58,175 across three pay points in 2026/27. Monthly gross ranges from £4,620 to £4,848.
How much more does a sergeant earn than a constable?
A new sergeant at PP1 (£55,443) earns £3,429 more per year than a top-of-scale constable at PP7 (£52,014).
Do sergeants get paid overtime?
Yes. Sergeants are entitled to paid overtime at time and a third for rest-day working and double time for bank holidays, on the same basis as constables.
How long does it take to become a sergeant?
Most forces require a minimum of two years’ service before eligibility. The NPPF assessment includes an online exam and work-based assessment. Typical time from joining to promotion is 5–10 years.
Do detective sergeants earn more than uniformed sergeants?
No. Detective sergeants follow the same national pay scale. The detective designation does not carry an automatic pay premium.
What pension does a sergeant contribute?
Sergeants contribute 12.44% under the CARE 2015 scheme. At PP3 (£58,175), this is £7,237 per year.
Embed this calculator
Accountants and payroll bureaus: add this calculator to your own website — free, with attribution. Embeds are in early access.
Register interest