Police Sergeant Salary UK: Hourly Rates and Annual Pay

Understanding the police sergeant salary UK is essential for officers considering promotion or for job seekers evaluating police careers. In England and Wales, sergeant pay is set nationally across three pay points, with annual increments based on service. For 2026/27, the confirmed 3.5% pay award from 1 September 2026 sets the following salaries:

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

These figures come from the Police Regulations and are published by GOV.UK and employers calculators. The hourly rate for a police sergeant is calculated using a standard 40-hour week over 52.14 weeks, giving an annual divisor of 2,085.6 hours. This yields:

• PP1: £26.58 per hour
• PP2: £27.23 per hour
• PP3: £27.89 per hour

If you are comparing police sergeant pay to other roles, you can use our Hourly to Salary tool to convert any hourly rate into annual or monthly equivalents.

How Hourly Rates Convert to Annual Salary

The police use a specific divisor of 2,085.6 hours per year because the working year is 52.14 weeks (365 days ÷ 7). This differs from the common rule of thumb of 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = 1,950 hours used for many office-based roles. To convert a police sergeant hourly rate to annual salary:

Annual salary = hourly rate × 2,085.6

For example, a sergeant on PP3 earning £27.89 per hour would have an annual salary of £27.89 × 2,085.6 = £58,175 (rounded).

Conversely, to find the hourly rate from an annual salary, divide by 2,085.6. This method is set out in the Police Regulations and applies to all ranks up to Chief Superintendent. For part-time sergeants, the hourly rate is calculated using the same divisor, and pay is proportional to hours worked.

If you want to see how police sergeant pay compares with other UK occupations, browse our salary articles for detailed breakdowns.

Overtime and Additional Earnings

One of the key benefits of the sergeant rank is eligibility for paid overtime. Unlike inspectors and above, who are salaried and do not receive overtime pay, sergeants are entitled to:

• Rest-day working: time and a third (×1.33 of the hourly rate)
• Bank holiday working: double time (×2)
• Casual overtime (less than a full shift): time and a third

For a PP3 sergeant earning £27.89 per hour, a rest-day shift pays £37.19 per hour, and a bank-holiday shift pays £55.79 per hour. Regular rest-day working can significantly boost annual earnings, though overtime is subject to force policy and local caps.

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 such as pension and tax. For example, a PP3 sergeant in London would have a gross annual salary of £61,325 (£58,175 + £3,150). The hourly rate for London sergeants is also adjusted: the London weighting is converted to an hourly supplement using the formula (6/12520) × £3,150, which adds approximately £1.51 per hour.

Pension and Deductions

Police officers in the 2015 CARE pension scheme contribute 12.44% of pensionable pay. This is deducted from gross salary before income tax and National Insurance. Using the 2026/27 tax rates:

• Personal Allowance: £12,570
• Basic income tax rate: 20%
• Employee National Insurance: 8% on earnings above £12,570

A PP3 sergeant earning £58,175 would have approximate monthly deductions of:

• Pension: £603
• Income tax: £760
• National Insurance: £304
• Net monthly take-home: around £3,181 (excluding any overtime or London weighting)

These are estimates; actual take-home pay depends on individual circumstances and any salary sacrifice arrangements.

Summary

The police sergeant salary UK for 2026/27 ranges from £55,443 to £58,175, with hourly rates of £26.58 to £27.89. London officers receive an extra £3,150. Sergeants retain overtime entitlements, making the role financially attractive compared to higher ranks that lose overtime. For a full breakdown of how hourly rates translate to annual and monthly figures, visit our Hourly to Salary homepage. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the most accurate figures.