Understanding £15 per Hour Annual Salary UK

If you are considering a job paying £15 per hour or comparing it with a salaried offer, it helps to know the annual equivalent and how it fits into the wider UK pay landscape. The standard conversion uses a 37.5-hour week (common in many office and public sector roles) over 52 weeks. At that rate, £15 per hour annual salary UK works out at £29,250 gross. After Income Tax and National Insurance (using 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland), the estimated take-home pay is around £24,580 – or about £12.60 per hour worked after deductions.

How the Conversion Works

The formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For £15 per hour:

• 35 hours/week: £27,300 gross
• 37.5 hours/week: £29,250 gross
• 40 hours/week: £31,200 gross
• 45 hours/week: £35,100 gross

Your actual annual salary will depend on your contracted hours. Most permanent employees receive paid holiday (at least 5.6 weeks), so the 52-week calculation already includes that. Contractors and freelancers, however, may need to factor in unpaid holiday – working only 46.4 weeks would reduce the annualised income to about £26,100. Always check your employment status and contract terms.

Where £15 per Hour Sits in the UK Pay Scale

According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees were £39,039 in April 2025, with median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) at £19.67. The National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025. So £15 per hour is:

• Above the legal minimum by about 23%
• Below the typical full-time median by about 24%

This places £15 per hour in the lower-middle range of UK earnings. It is a common rate for roles such as administrative assistants, customer service advisors, warehouse operatives, and some skilled trades. For context, NHS staff data from NHS Digital shows mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent was £43,531 in NHS Trusts and £55,464 for medical staff – well above the £29,250 from £15 per hour.

Take-Home Pay and Deductions

Using the 2026/27 tax bands for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (personal allowance £12,570, basic rate 20%, National Insurance 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270), the estimated deductions on £29,250 are:

• Income Tax: £3,336
• National Insurance: £1,334
• Total deductions: £4,670
• Take-home pay: £24,580

This is a rough estimate. Your actual deductions may differ if you have pension contributions, student loan repayments, or a different tax code. Use the hourly calculator for a more precise breakdown.

Comparing Hourly Jobs with Salaried Offers

When weighing an hourly role against a salaried position, consider more than just the headline rate. Hourly jobs often pay overtime at a premium (time-and-a-half or double time), while salaried roles may include benefits such as pension contributions, sick pay, and bonuses. The £15 per hour annual salary UK figure of £29,250 is a useful starting point, but you should also factor in:

• London weighting: Many employers in London add a supplement (e.g., 15-20%) to attract staff.
• Overtime: If you regularly work extra hours, your actual earnings could be significantly higher.
• Holiday pay: Permanent employees get paid holiday; contractors may not.

For more insights, browse our salary articles and salary data pages.

Conclusion

£15 per hour translates to a gross annual salary of around £29,250 for a standard 37.5-hour week. It is a solid rate above the National Living Wage but below the UK median. Whether it is a good salary depends on your location, lifestyle, and benefits package. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the latest tax and minimum wage rates.