How to work out your take-home pay as an agency worker in the UK

You know your hourly rate. You know your hours. But what actually hits your bank account after Income Tax, National Insurance, and pension? Here's how it works — with real numbers for 2026/27.

The four things that come out of your pay

• Income Tax — 20% between £12,570 and £50,270 · 40% between £50,270 and £125,140 · 45% above.
• National Insurance — 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 · 2% above £50,270.
• Pension — usually 5% via auto-enrolment, taken from gross pay.
• Student loan — 9% of income above the plan threshold, if applicable.

Worked example: £15/hour, 40 hours a week

Annualised gross: 40 × 52 × £15 = £31,200.

• Personal allowance covers the first £12,570.
• Income Tax: (£31,200 − £12,570) × 20% = £3,726.
• Employee NI: (£31,200 − £12,570) × 8% = £1,490.40.
• Pension @ 5%: £1,560 (deducted before Income Tax if it's salary-sacrifice, otherwise after).

Net take-home ≈ £24,423.60/year, or £2,035/month. On a full 40-hour week you keep roughly £12.05 out of every £15 hour worked. Not the £15 the agency quotes.

Why Clok exists

Every UK payslip breaks this down — after the fact. Clok shows the same numbers as you work, so payday holds no surprises. Free forever for up to 3 people.