Understand every line of your firefighter pay.
Start with the national July 2026 rate, then work through deductions, overtime and the local terms that turn basic salary into real earnings.
2026 pay scales
£31,539 → £77,186Every role, stage, hourly and overtime rate from NJC/2/26.
Explore →2026/27 net paySalary calculator
Tax + NI + pensionModel service, role, local additions and regular overtime.
Calculate →Retained duty systemOn-call calculator
Retainer + activityCombine availability payment, hourly work and disturbances.
Calculate →Go deeper
Focused explanations for the pay questions that create the most confusion.
The 3.8% firefighter pay award from 1 July 2026, with current salary, hourly, overtime and on-call retainer rates by role.
10 minUK firefighter pay scales 2026: every NJC roleCurrent firefighter, crew manager, watch manager, station manager, group manager and area manager salary points from July 2026.
11 minOn-call firefighter pay: retainers, call-outs and hoursHow UK retained and on-call firefighter pay works in 2026, including full and day-crewing retainers, hourly activity and disturbance payments.
9 minFirefighter overtime rates: how to check your paymentUnderstand the published 2026 firefighter overtime rates, annual-to-hourly calculations and why local circumstances still matter.
9 minFirefighter overtime after tax: what you may keepEstimate firefighter overtime take-home after 2026/27 Income Tax, National Insurance and possible pension deductions.
8 minFire control pay scales 2026Current national fire control salary and overtime rates from July 2026, plus how the 95% relationship to firefighting roles works.
10 minFirefighter allowances explained: what can sit above basic payA practical guide to firefighter CPD, flexible-duty, London and local allowances, including what to verify for tax and pension purposes.
9 minFirefighter acting-up pay and temporary promotionHow to check pay for temporary responsibility, acting-up duties and development into a higher firefighter role without assuming a universal formula.
9 minPart-time firefighter pay: pro-rata salary and deductionsHow to turn a firefighter’s full-time salary into a part-time estimate and what flexible-working terms can change the result.
8 minFirefighter bank holiday pay: how to check your entitlementWhy public-holiday firefighter pay depends on the duty system and agreement, plus a clear method for auditing a payment or leave credit.