Police Sergeant Salary: Understanding the 2026/27 Pay Scales

If you're considering a career as a police sergeant or comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, knowing the police sergeant salary is essential. Police sergeants in England and Wales are paid on a national pay scale with three pay points, and their earnings can be significantly boosted by London weighting and overtime. This article breaks down the latest figures, explains how to convert hourly rates to annual salary, and highlights what affects take-home pay.

The 2026/27 Police Sergeant Pay Scale

From 1 September 2026, police sergeants received a 3.5% pay rise, bringing the annual salaries to:

• Pay Point 1 (PP1): £55,443
• Pay Point 2 (PP2): £56,784
• Pay Point 3 (PP3): £58,175

These figures are confirmed by the Home Office and published in the Police Regulations. New sergeants typically join at PP2 and progress annually to the next point, subject to satisfactory performance. The top of the scale (PP3) is reached after two years of service as a sergeant.

Hourly Rate Conversion for Police Sergeants

To compare a police sergeant salary with hourly-paid roles, you need to convert the annual figure into an hourly rate. The standard police working week is 40 hours, and the annualised hours used in regulations is 2,085.6 (40 hours × 52.14 weeks). The formula is:

Hourly rate = Annual salary ÷ 2,085.6

Applying this to the 2026/27 pay points:

• PP1: £55,443 ÷ 2,085.6 = £26.58 per hour
• PP2: £56,784 ÷ 2,085.6 = £27.23 per hour
• PP3: £58,175 ÷ 2,085.6 = £27.89 per hour

This hourly rate is used to calculate overtime, part-time pay, and leave pay. For a quick estimate, you can also use our hourly calculator to convert any hourly wage to annual salary.

London Weighting

Sergeants serving in the Metropolitan Police or City of London Police receive an additional London weighting of £3,150 per year. This is added to the base salary before deductions. So a PP3 sergeant in London earns:

£58,175 + £3,150 = £61,325 gross per year

The hourly rate for London sergeants is also adjusted: the weighting is incorporated into the hourly calculation for part-time officers, as specified in the Police Regulations.

Overtime Pay for Sergeants

Unlike some salaried roles, police sergeants are entitled to paid overtime. The standard rates are:

• Rest-day working: Time and a third (×1.33)
• Bank holiday working: Double time (×2)
• Casual overtime (less than a full shift): Time and a third

Using the hourly rates above, overtime pay works out as:

Pay Point	Hourly Rate	Rest-Day Overtime (×1.33)	Bank Holiday Overtime (×2)
PP1	£26.58	£35.44	£53.17
PP2	£27.23	£36.22	£54.46
PP3	£27.89	£37.19	£55.79

Overtime availability varies by force and is subject to local caps. Some forces may offer time off in lieu instead of pay for certain duties.

How the Police Sergeant Salary Compares to Other Roles

To put the police sergeant salary in context, here are some UK benchmarks:

• National Living Wage (21+): £12.71 per hour (2026/27) – a sergeant earns more than double this.
• UK median full-time gross annual pay: ~£39,039 – a sergeant at PP1 earns about 42% above the median.
• Teacher main pay scale: £31,650–£43,692 (2025/26) – sergeants are paid comparably to experienced teachers.
• NHS Band 6 nurse: £35,964–£43,780 – sergeant pay is significantly higher.

For more comparisons, see our salary data page.

Factors That Affect Take-Home Pay

While the gross police sergeant salary is attractive, several deductions reduce net pay:

• Police Pension: 12.44% of pensionable pay under the CARE 2015 scheme.
• Income Tax: 20% on earnings above the Personal Allowance of £12,570.
• National Insurance: 8% on earnings above £12,570 (primary threshold).

A PP1 sergeant earning £55,443 would have approximate monthly deductions of:

• Pension: £574
• Income Tax: £715
• National Insurance: £286
• Net monthly take-home: ~£3,045

These are rough estimates; use a take-home pay calculator for precise figures.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Home Office evidence shows that average sergeant pay has risen steadily: from £45,757 in 2021 to £52,924 in 2025 (England and Wales). The 2026/27 uplift of 3.5% continues this trend. The Police Remuneration Review Body considers factors like recruitment, retention, and inflation when recommending pay awards.

Key Takeaways

• A police sergeant salary ranges from £55,443 to £58,175 per year (2026/27).
• The hourly rate is £26.58 to £27.89 based on a 40-hour week.
• London weighting adds £3,150, bringing top pay to £61,325.
• Overtime at time and a third (rest days) or double time (bank holidays) can significantly boost earnings.
• Pension and tax deductions reduce net pay, but the role remains well-compensated compared to many public sector jobs.

If you're comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, remember that the police sergeant salary includes paid overtime, a defined-benefit pension, and London weighting. Use our salary articles for more insights on UK pay scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a police sergeant's hourly rate calculated? The hourly rate is derived from the annual salary divided by 2,085.6 hours, which represents a 40-hour week over 52.14 weeks. For example, a PP3 sergeant earning £58,175 has an hourly rate of £27.89. This calculation is set out in the Police Regulations and is used for overtime and part-time pay.

What is the London weighting for police sergeants? Sergeants in the Metropolitan Police and City of London forces receive an additional £3,150 per year on top of the national pay scale. This is added to gross pay before deductions. A PP3 sergeant in London therefore earns £61,325 gross annually.

Do police sergeants get paid overtime? Yes, sergeants are entitled to paid overtime. Rest-day working is paid at time and a third (×1.33), and bank holidays at double time (×2). For a PP1 sergeant, rest-day overtime is £35.44 per hour and bank holiday overtime is £53.17 per hour. Overtime is discretionary and subject to force policies.