Police officers (sergeant and below) vs Prison service officers (below principal officer) Salary (2025)

How do Police officers (sergeant and below) and Prison service officers (below principal officer) salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Police officers (sergeant and below) earns £14,151 more per year (41% higher)
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Detailed Comparison

MetricPolice officers (sergeant and below)Prison service officers (below principal officer)Difference
Median Annual£48,621£34,470+£14,151
Mean Annual£48,668£36,850+£11,818
Monthly£4,052£2,873+£1,179
Weekly£935£663+£272
Hourly£23.38£16.57+£6.81
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Police officers (sergeant and below) or a Prison service officers (below principal officer)?
A Police officers (sergeant and below) earns more. The median salary for a Police officers (sergeant and below) is £48,621, whilst a Prison service officers (below principal officer) earns £34,470 — a difference of £14,151 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Police officers (sergeant and below) and a Prison service officers (below principal officer)?
The difference is £14,151 per year. Police officers (sergeant and below) is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Police officers (sergeant and below) or a Prison service officers (below principal officer)?
From a salary perspective, Police officers (sergeant and below) offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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