Police Inspector Salary 2026/27: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

Police Inspector Salary: Understanding Your Pay

If you are considering promotion to inspector or are already in the rank, knowing the police inspector salary structure is essential. Unlike constables and sergeants, inspectors are salaried officers and do not receive paid overtime. This guide explains the annual scales, notional hourly rates, London allowances, and what you can expect to take home after deductions.

Annual Pay Scales for Police Inspectors

Police inspector pay is set nationally by the Home Office under the Police Regulations 2003. The scales are reviewed annually, usually with effect from 1 September. For the 2025/26 year, the national inspector scale (outside London) runs from £63,768 at pay point 0 to £68,982 at pay point 3, according to. Officers in the Metropolitan Police Service or City of London Police receive a higher scale: £66,462 to £71,697, plus a London weighting of £3,150 per annum.

For 2026/27, a confirmed 3.5% uplift applies. The national inspector scale becomes:

• PP1: £65,999
• PP2: £68,124
• PP3: £70,237
• PP4: £71,386

Met/City inspectors are on a separate, higher scale:

• PP1: £68,787
• PP2: £70,590
• PP3: £72,402
• PP4: £74,205

These figures are reported by and policetakehomepay.co.uk, and align with the 3.5% uplift announced for all police ranks.

Notional Hourly Rate vs Actual Pay

Because inspectors are salaried, there is no official hourly wage. However, a notional hourly rate can be calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,085.6 hours (the standard working year for police officers). For 2026/27, this gives:

• PP1: £31.65 per hour
• PP2: £32.66 per hour
• PP3: £33.68 per hour
• PP4: £34.23 per hour

These rates are for comparison only. Inspectors do not clock hours or receive overtime pay, so your actual earnings are fixed regardless of hours worked beyond your rostered duties.

London Allowances and Regional Variations

Officers in the Metropolitan Police and City of London receive additional allowances on top of the higher base scale. The London weighting is £3,150 per annum (pensionable). There is also a London allowance of up to £6,588 per annum (non-pensionable) and a dog handler’s allowance for those in specialist roles. South East forces may set their own allowances, up to around £3,105 per year.

These allowances significantly boost take-home pay but are subject to higher-rate tax (40%) and National Insurance (2%) because all inspector pay points exceed the £50,270 threshold.

Take-Home Pay After Deductions

Your gross annual salary is not what lands in your bank account. Deductions include:

• Pension: 12.44% of pensionable pay under the CARE 2015 scheme.
• Income Tax: 20% on earnings up to £50,270, then 40% above that.
• National Insurance: 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above.

For a national-scale inspector at PP4 (£71,386), estimated net monthly pay is around £3,835. At PP1 (£65,999), it is about £3,612. London officers with allowances see higher net figures, but the marginal tax rate means only 58p of each extra £1 reaches your pocket.

No Paid Overtime: A Key Financial Consideration

Inspector is the first rank where paid overtime is not available under the Police Regulations. This is a significant change from the sergeant role. A sergeant at top pay point (£58,175) who regularly works 8 hours of rest-day overtime per month earns roughly £3,570 in overtime annually, bringing total earnings to around £61,745. An inspector at PP1 earns £65,999 with no overtime. The break-even point depends on how much overtime the sergeant works. Some forces offer rest-day compensation or time off in lieu, but these are discretionary and may be withdrawn.

Comparing Police Inspector Salary to Other Roles

For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (2026/27). A police inspector’s notional hourly rate is more than double that, reflecting the responsibility and supervisory nature of the role. However, the loss of overtime can make the financial jump from sergeant less attractive for those who regularly work extra shifts.

Further Reading

For more on police pay scales and how they compare to other roles, see our pay guides and pay data pages. You can also explore topics related to public sector salaries. If you have questions about your specific situation, check our about page for disclaimers.

Summary

The police inspector salary in England and Wales ranges from £65,999 to £71,386 nationally (2026/27), with higher scales in London. Inspectors are salaried with no paid overtime, and take-home pay is reduced by pension, tax, and NI. Always verify your force’s specific pay policy and consult official publications for the most up-to-date figures.