PSNI Salary 2025/26

£31,164 – £50,256 + £4,110
Constable scale matched to E&W from 1 Sept 2025 + NI Transitional Allowance for federated ranks
Calculate Your Take-Home Pay

PSNI Constable — joined post-September 2014 (7-point scale)

Pay PointBasic+ NI Trans Allowance
Trainee (Pay Point 1)£31,164£35,274
Pay Point 2£32,472£36,582
Pay Point 3£33,789£37,899
Pay Point 4£35,106£39,216
Pay Point 5£37,737£41,847
Pay Point 6£43,038£47,148
Pay Point 7 (top)£50,256£54,366

PSNI Constable — joined pre-September 2014 (8-point scale)

Pay PointBasic+ NI Trans Allowance
Trainee (Pay Point 0)£32,820£36,930
Pay Point 1£36,375£40,485
Pay Point 2£38,346£42,456
Pay Point 3£40,557£44,667
Pay Point 4£41,766£45,876
Pay Point 5£43,038£47,148
Pay Point 6£46,626£50,736
Pay Point 7 (top)£50,256£54,366

Other PSNI ranks (basic, before NI Transitional Allowance)

RankEntryTop of Band
Sergeant£53,568£56,208
Inspector£63,768£68,982
Chief Inspector£70,344£74,310
Superintendent£84,177£99,015
Chief Superintendent£103,797£115,785

All federated and superintending ranks add the £4,110/yr NI Transitional Allowance on top of basic. Allowance is pensionable and pro-rated by hours.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is the territorial police force serving Northern Ireland, formed in November 2001 from the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It has roughly 6,500 officers and 2,500 staff, operating across the whole of NI.

PSNI pay is set by the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) — the same body that recommends pay for England & Wales — and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice typically applies the recommendations to PSNI. The September 2025 PRRB award was a consolidated +4.2% uplift for officers up to Chief Superintendent, backdated to 1 September 2025. This matched the E&W uplift and was fully funded centrally — bringing PSNI basic-pay figures into line with E&W exactly.

Where PSNI differs from E&W is the Northern Ireland Transitional Allowance: £4,110/year paid to federated and superintending ranks on top of basic. It's pensionable, pro-rated by hours, and reflects the distinct operational context of NI policing. Chief officer ranks (ACC and above) don't receive the allowance.

Northern Ireland uses England & Wales income tax bands — there's no separate NI income tax (unlike Scotland). So a PSNI Constable's net take-home is calculated the same way as an E&W Constable's, but with the extra £4,110 gross to start from.

Officers also receive the standard Dog Handlers Allowance (£2,826/yr if applicable) and the same overtime structure as E&W (time + 1/3 standard, time + 1/2 rest days, double on public holidays). All active officers accrue pension in PPS 2015 CARE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PSNI Constable starting salary in 2025/26?
For Constables joining post-September 2014, the starting (trainee) salary is £31,164 — matched to the E&W Sept 2025 PRRB figure following the +4.2% pay uplift. On top of basic, PSNI federated officers receive the £4,110/year Northern Ireland Transitional Allowance, taking effective starting pay to £35,274.
What is the NI Transitional Allowance?
A consolidated annual allowance of £4,110/year paid to PSNI federated and superintending ranks on top of basic salary. It's pensionable, pro-rated by hours, and originated as compensation for officers working in a higher-risk policing environment. Not paid to chief officer ranks.
Did PSNI pay match the England & Wales 2025 pay award?
Yes. The September 2025 PRRB award of +4.2% (consolidated) was applied to PSNI officers and backdated to 1 September 2025. This brought the PSNI pay scale into harmony with E&W for the first time in some years; the NI Transitional Allowance remains a separate, NI-specific addition.
What income tax do PSNI officers pay?
Northern Ireland uses E&W income tax rates and bands — there is no separate NI income tax (unlike Scotland). The Personal Allowance is £12,570; basic rate 20% to £50,270; higher rate 40% to £125,140; additional rate 45% thereafter.
Are there different Constable scales for pre/post-2014 joiners?
Yes. Officers who joined PSNI before 1 September 2014 progress on an 8-point scale starting at £32,820 trainee point. Officers who joined after that date progress on a 7-point scale starting at £31,164. Both scales top out at £50,256 at the post-Sept 2025 pay rates.
How much does a PSNI Inspector earn?
£63,768 on appointment rising to £68,982 at the top of the scale — the same basic as England & Wales — plus the £4,110 NI Transitional Allowance, giving an effective range of £67,878 to £73,092. PSNI Chief Inspectors earn £70,344–£74,310 basic (£74,454–£78,420 with the allowance).
What do PSNI Sergeants and Superintendents earn?
Sergeants: £53,568–£56,208 basic (£57,678–£60,318 with the £4,110 NI Transitional Allowance). Superintendents: £84,177–£99,015 basic, and Chief Superintendents £103,797–£115,785 — superintending ranks also receive the transitional allowance, which is pensionable.

Police pay by rank

Force-specific salary pages

Topics