A competent firefighter on the NJC Grey Book (£37,898) takes home £26,410/year (£2,201/month) after income tax, NI and 14.5% Firefighters Pension Scheme contribution in 2026-27. Trainee (£24,680): £18,426/year. Watch Manager A (£46,983): £33,600/year.
After income tax, NI and pension. England and Wales.
Grade/Rank
Gross
Take-Home/Year
Monthly Net
Pension
Role
Trainee Firefighter
£24,680
£18,426
£1,535.00
14.5%
Initial training period
Development Firefighter
£28,750
£20,912
£1,743.00
14.5%
In development — not yet competent
Competent Firefighter
£37,898
£26,410
£2,201.00
14.5%
Fully operational — 2-2-4 watch system
Crew Manager
£41,846
£28,785
£2,399.00
14.5%
Junior supervisory — crew of 5
Watch Manager B
£44,017
£30,106
£2,509.00
14.5%
Watch leadership
Watch Manager A
£46,983
£33,600
£2,800.00
14.5%
Senior watch — incident command
Station Manager B
£51,628
£36,480
£3,040.00
14.5%
Station management
Station Manager A
£54,917
£38,220
£3,185.00
14.5%
Senior station or area role
Firefighters Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015)
The FPS 2015 is a defined benefit career average scheme with the highest employee contribution rate in UK public services — 14.5%. This reflects the earlier Normal Pension Age (55) compared to other public sector schemes (60–67). The employer contributes approximately 26.5% of salary.
Employee contribution
14.5% of pensionable pay
Employer contribution
~26.5% of salary
Normal Pension Age
55 years (FPS 2015)
Scheme type
Defined Benefit CARE
Death in service
2× pensionable pay lump sum
Accrual rate
1/58.7 per year
The 14.5% contribution rate is the highest mandatory contribution in UK public services. However, FPS 2015 provides an earlier retirement age (55) than comparable schemes, partially justifying the higher rate. Total package value including employer contribution is approximately 41% above gross salary.