Prison Officer Salary UK: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

Understanding Prison Officer Salary UK

When researching a prison officer salary UK, it is important to look beyond a single annual figure. Pay is built from a base rate, an unsocial hours allowance, location-based differentials, and sometimes market supplements. This article breaks down how hourly, weekly and annual pay compare, using the latest official data and job adverts.

Hourly Rates and Statutory Minimums

The UK government sets statutory minimum wage rates each year. From April 2026, the National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) rises to £12.71 per hour, a 4.1% increase. Lower rates apply for younger workers and apprentices. However, prison officer pay sits well above these floors. Even the lowest advertised starting salary – £33,746 for a 37-hour week in a national pay zone – works out at roughly £17.50 per hour once the 20% unsocial hours allowance is included. This means prison officers are not directly affected by minimum wage changes, though the Band 2 Operational Support Grade roles may need adjustments to stay compliant.

For a full breakdown of all statutory rates, see our UK Minimum Wage.

Advertised Salaries: Hourly, Weekly and Annual

Prison officer roles are advertised with annual salaries that already include a 20% allowance for working unsocial hours (evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays). Trainee officers start on a 37-hour contract, but after training they can choose 37, 39 or 41 hours per week. The salary scales below are taken from official job adverts and the Prison and Probation Jobs website.

National pay (all other prisons in England and Wales)

• 37 hours: £33,746 per year
• 39 hours: £35,875 per year
• 41 hours: £38,003 per year

Some national prisons also pay market supplements of £1,500, £2,000, £3,000 or £3,500 to help with recruitment and retention. These are non-pensionable and paid monthly.

Outer London pay

• 37 hours: £37,525 per year
• 39 hours: £39,892 per year
• 41 hours: £42,258 per year

Prisons such as Feltham and Downview add a market supplement, bringing the 39-hour salary to £41,892.

Inner London pay

• 37 hours: £39,493 per year
• 39 hours: £41,984 per year
• 41 hours: £44,474 per year

These figures are from the official Prison and Probation Jobs website and reflect the 2025/26 pay scales. The Prison Service Pay Review Body has recommended a 3.5% increase from April 2026, which would raise all these amounts.

The 2026 Pay Award

The Prison Service Pay Review Body’s 25th report, published in 2026, recommends a 3.5% consolidated increase to base pay for Fair and Sustainable bands 3 to 12, and a similar increase for Band 2 staff on top of the National Living Wage rise. London pay differentials would also increase by 3.5%, setting Inner London maxima at £5,218 and Outer London at £3,432 above the national maxima (based on a 37-hour week). The Payment Plus overtime rate is recommended to rise to £23 per hour. These recommendations are subject to government acceptance, but they give a clear indication of future pay levels.

For more detail on how pay awards are calculated, visit our pay guides.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

While advertised salaries sound attractive, take-home pay is lower after deductions. Prison officers contribute to the Civil Service pension scheme (employer contribution around 28.97%), pay income tax and National Insurance. Market supplements are non-pensionable, so they do not boost retirement income. Overtime can increase weekly earnings, but it is not guaranteed. The 20% unsocial hours allowance is already included in the quoted salary, so base pay without that allowance is roughly 83% of the advertised figure.

Comparing Pay Across Regions

Location has a big impact on a prison officer salary UK. Inner London roles pay the most, reflecting higher living costs. Outer London sits between Inner London and national rates. Some national prisons in areas with recruitment difficulties (e.g., Bullingdon, Elmley, Woodhill) offer market supplements that bring their pay closer to Outer London levels. When comparing job offers, always check the base salary, the unsocial hours allowance, and any additional supplements.

Future Outlook

The 2026 pay award, if implemented in full, will increase all prison officer salaries by 3.5%. Combined with the National Living Wage rise, lower-paid staff in Band 2 will see a larger percentage increase. The government has also committed to reducing the gap between the 18-20 minimum wage rate and the National Living Wage, which may affect future pay structures. For now, prison officer pay remains competitive within the public sector, especially when the generous pension and holiday entitlement (25 days rising to 30) are factored in.

For a comprehensive dataset of UK pay scales, see our pay data.

FAQ

What is the starting salary for a prison officer in the UK? Starting salaries vary by location and contracted hours. For a 39-hour week, national pay is around £35,875, Outer London around £39,892, and Inner London around £41,984. Some prisons also offer market supplements of £1,500 to £3,500. All figures include a 20% unsocial hours allowance.

How does the National Living Wage affect prison officer pay? Prison officer pay is well above the National Living Wage (NLW). The NLW for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from April 2026. Even the lowest prison officer starting salary (national, 37 hours) equates to roughly £17.50 per hour including the unsocial hours allowance, so statutory minimums do not directly constrain these roles.

Do prison officers get paid overtime? Yes. Overtime is available in many prisons and is paid at a higher rate. The Prison Service Pay Review Body has recommended increasing the Payment Plus hourly rate to £23 from April 2026. Overtime can significantly boost annual earnings, but availability varies by establishment.