How Firefighter Overtime Pay Works (UK)
This page explains common overtime / extra-hours patterns you’ll see in UK fire and rescue services and why your take-home can differ from the headline number. It’s a practical guide — not official policy.
1) Start with the simple formula
The quickest estimate is:
Overtime (gross) ≈
hourly rate × hours × multiplier
If you don’t know your hourly rate, use the salary → hourly helper in the calculator.
2) Common multiplier patterns
Policies vary by service and local agreements, but these are common patterns you’ll hear:
- Extra hours / cover (weekday/standard): often 1.25×–1.33×
- Rest day / off-duty shift: often 1.5×
- Bank / public holiday: often 2.0×
- Custom: set your own multiplier if yours differs
The calculator lets you override the multiplier so you can match your payslip/policy.
3) Why take-home can be much lower than gross
Overtime usually sits on top of your normal pay, so it’s often taxed at your marginal rate. On top of tax, National Insurance may apply, and pension contributions can reduce what you take home.
What we estimate
- Gross overtime (hourly × hours × multiplier)
- Pension (optional) as a simple % deduction
- Estimated tax using a selected marginal band
- Estimated NI using a simplified approach
What can change the result
- Your actual tax code and allowances
- NI category and thresholds
- Pension scheme rules and whether pension applies to overtime
- Other deductions (student loan, AVCs, etc.)
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Pay rules and deductions vary by fire and rescue service, contract, pension scheme and personal circumstances.