Question 1

What is Royal Navy take-home pay in 2026/27?

Accepted Answer

An Able Rating (AB) on £23,907 gross takes home £19,872/year (£1,656/month) after income tax, NI and 4.5% AFPS 15 pension. A Petty Officer (£36,982) takes home £28,815/year (£2,401/month). A Lieutenant (£42,681) takes home £32,713/year (£2,726/month). A Commander (£67,928) takes home £48,122/year (£4,010/month). All figures include the 14.5% X-Factor.

Question 2

What is diving pay in the Royal Navy?

Accepted Answer

Clearance divers and other qualified divers in the Royal Navy receive Diving Pay on top of basic salary. The rate varies by qualification level and operational status. Diving Pay is fully taxable and subject to National Insurance. It represents one of the more significant specialist pay supplements in the Royal Navy.

Question 3

What is the Royal Navy pension scheme?

Accepted Answer

Royal Navy personnel are in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (AFPS 15), a defined benefit career average (CARE) scheme. The employee contribution is 4.5% of gross pay. The Normal Pension Age is 60, with an immediate pension available from age 55 after 20 or more years of qualifying service. The MOD contributes approximately 26% of salary.

Question 4

How does Royal Navy pay compare to Army and RAF?

Accepted Answer

Pay scales across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF are set by the same Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) and are broadly equivalent at equivalent rank levels. Differences arise from service-specific specialist pays: Royal Navy divers receive diving pay, submariners receive submarine pay, and RAF aircrew receive flying pay. All personnel receive the 14.5% X-Factor on basic pay.

Question 5

Do Royal Navy personnel pay income tax?

Accepted Answer

Yes, standard Royal Navy pay is subject to UK income tax and National Insurance. Personnel serving on qualifying overseas operations may be eligible for the Operational Tax Exemption (OTE), which can exempt that period of service from income tax. The OTE designation is determined by the Ministry of Defence for each qualifying operation.

Rank	Gross	Take-Home/Year	Monthly Net	Pension	Role
Able Rating (AB)	£23,907	£19,872	£1,656.00	4.5%	Entry — other ratings
Leading Rate (LRat)	£30,884	£24,644	£2,054.00	4.5%	Junior NCO equivalent
Petty Officer (PO)	£36,982	£28,815	£2,401.00	4.5%	Senior NCO equivalent
Chief Petty Officer (CPO)	£42,318	£32,465	£2,705.00	4.5%	Senior rating
Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1)	£52,173	£39,320	£3,277.00	4.5%	Most senior rating
Midshipman	£28,418	£22,957	£1,913.00	4.5%	Junior commissioned officer
Sub-Lieutenant	£36,291	£28,342	£2,362.00	4.5%	Junior officer
Lieutenant	£42,681	£32,713	£2,726.00	4.5%	Ship/department level
Lieutenant Commander	£55,714	£41,367	£3,447.00	4.5%	Senior officer
Commander	£67,928	£48,122	£4,010.00	4.5%	Ship commander

Royal Navy Pay Scales 2026/27

Royal Navy Pay Scale — Take-Home Pay 2026/27

Royal Navy Specialist Pays 2026/27

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pay Guides