Guide
Salary comparison guide
A higher salary is not always a better hourly deal. Weekly hours, unpaid breaks, paid leave, overtime expectations, commuting, flexibility, and benefits can all change the value of a role.
Start with a like-for-like comparison
To compare two roles, convert both to the same time basis. If one is annual salary and the other is hourly pay, choose either annual gross pay or estimated hourly value. Then use the same working weeks and weekly hours where possible.
Estimated hourly value Annual salary / (weekly hours x working weeks per year).
Example comparison
| Offer | Headline pay | Hours assumption | Estimated hourly value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role A | GBP 31,000 salary | 37.5 hours x 52 weeks | GBP 15.90 |
| Role B | GBP 33,000 salary | 45 hours x 52 weeks | GBP 14.10 |
Role B has the higher headline salary, but Role A has the higher estimated hourly value under these assumptions. That does not automatically make Role A better, but it gives you a clearer question to ask.
Questions to ask before deciding
- Are weekly hours fixed, average, or only a rough expectation?
- Are breaks paid or unpaid?
- Is overtime paid, unpaid, included in salary, or handled as time off in lieu?
- Are bonuses guaranteed or discretionary?
- Does the role include benefits that are valuable to you but not shown in salary?
- How much unpaid travel, setup time, or admin time is expected?
Useful calculator route
Use salary to hourly first for the salaried offer. Use hourly to salary for the hourly offer. Then use pay rise or overtime calculators if the job includes expected increases or regular extra hours.