Work & Income
Employed vs Contractor
Compare employment and contracting for pay, tax and flexibility.
Read comparisonCompare work and income choices
Compare pay, work routes and income decisions with practical comparisons, calculators and guides.
Whether you earn as an employee, sole trader, contractor or company director affects your take-home pay, your tax and the benefits you get. Understanding the numbers helps you make confident decisions about work.
Our work and income comparisons and calculators estimate Income Tax, National Insurance and take-home pay across different working arrangements, so you can see what a pay rise, a side hustle or a move into self-employment really means for your pocket.
Popular comparisons
Work & Income
Employed vs Self-Employed
Compare employment and self-employment for stability, flexibility, tax admin and benefits.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Limited Company vs Sole Trader
Compare limited company and sole trader structures for tax, admin and liability.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Salary vs Dividends
Compare salary and dividends for directors, tax efficiency, National Insurance and income planning.
Read comparisonWork & Income
PAYE vs Umbrella Company
Compare PAYE employment and umbrella companies for contractors, tax deductions, IR35 and take-home pay.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Permanent Job vs Contracting
Compare permanent employment and contracting for income, security, benefits, flexibility and IR35.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Full-Time vs Part-Time Work
Compare full-time and part-time work for earnings, benefits, work-life balance and career impact.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Company Car vs Car Allowance
Compare company cars and car allowances for tax, flexibility, running costs and overall value.
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Workplace Pension vs Private Pension
Compare workplace and private pensions for employer contributions, tax relief, control and retirement planning.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Gross Salary vs Net Salary
Compare gross salary and net pay, including Income Tax, National Insurance, pensions and student loan deductions.
Read comparisonWork & Income
Higher Salary vs Better Benefits
Compare cash salary and workplace benefits by total compensation, tax efficiency and practical value.
Read comparisonCalculators
Work & Income
UK Income Tax Calculator
Calculate estimated PAYE Income Tax, National Insurance and take-home pay.
Work & Income
Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Estimate Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance for sole traders and freelancers.
Work & Income
National Insurance Calculator
Estimate employee, employer and self-employed National Insurance contributions.
Work & Income
Hourly Rate Calculator
Convert hourly pay into annual salary and estimated take-home pay.
Work & Income
PAYE Tax Calculator with Student Loan
Estimate PAYE take-home pay including student loan repayments.
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Frequently asked questions
How much tax will I pay on my salary?
It depends on your income, tax code and pension contributions. Our income tax calculator estimates PAYE Income Tax, National Insurance and take-home pay for the current tax year.
Is it better to be employed or self-employed?
Employment offers stability and benefits, while self-employment offers flexibility and potential tax planning. Our comparisons set out the trade-offs in detail.
How is a side hustle taxed?
Extra income above the trading allowance is usually taxable and may push you into a higher band. Our side hustle tax calculator gives an estimate.