PCSO salary
A PCSO is not a police officer in pay terms. They are police staff, and each force sets its own scale. So the honest answer to “what does a PCSO earn” is a range, and it depends on where you work.
There is no national PCSO scale
Constables, sergeants and the ranks above are paid on national scales set by the Home Secretary. PCSOs are not. They are employed as police staff, and each force negotiates its own pay scale with staff unions. That is why the same job can pay several thousand pounds more in one force than a neighbouring one.
What forces are advertising
These are salary ranges from recent PCSO vacancies and force pay pages. Treat them as a guide, because forces update scales at different times and many adverts still show last year’s figures.
| Force | Advertised range |
|---|---|
| Cleveland | About £24,200 to £28,700, plus a 14% shift allowance |
| Derbyshire | £24,747 to £29,859 |
| Leicestershire | £26,106 to £29,109 |
| Essex | From £27,204, rising to about £32,600 on the top PCSO point |
| Thames Valley (from 1 Sept 2026) | £34,092 to £35,512 |
Thames Valley is the highest range here and the only one updated for 1 September 2026, which shows how far the range stretches. The other adverts mostly sit in the mid to high twenties.
Shift pay on top
Because PCSOs work evenings and weekends, many forces add a shift or unsocial hours allowance to basic pay. Cleveland, for example, lists 14% plus a weekend enhancement. Read the vacancy carefully, because a lower basic salary with a large allowance can pay more than a higher flat salary.
Pension
PCSOs are not in the police pension. Police staff, including PCSOs, normally join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Contributions rise with your pay: 5.8% between £18,401 and £29,000, and 6.5% above that, up to £47,300. Our LGPS pension calculator shows what you build up.
Take-home examples
These use tax code 1257L, LGPS contributions and no student loan.
| Salary | Pension rate | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 5.8% | £1,697 |
| £28,000 | 5.8% | £1,865 |
| £32,000 | 6.5% | £2,075 |
Add your shift allowance in the calculator to see the real figure.
Going from PCSO to constable
A constable is on a different, national scale, starting at about £32,255 from 1 September 2026 outside London. Many PCSOs apply to become officers, and some forces recognise PCSO experience in selection. Check what your force offers, and see the constable salary page for the full scale.
Common questions
What is the starting salary for a PCSO?
It varies by force. Recent adverts show starts from roughly £24,000 to £27,000 outside the South East, and higher in some southern forces.
Do PCSOs get the police pay rise?
No. The 3.5% award is for sworn officers. PCSO pay is agreed locally for police staff, so the rise and its date depend on your force.
Are PCSOs in the police pension?
No. They normally join the Local Government Pension Scheme, as other police staff do.
Do PCSOs get paid for weekends and nights?
Most forces add a shift or weekend allowance. The rate differs by force, so check the vacancy.
Do PCSOs earn less than police constables?
Generally yes. The constable scale starts at about £32,255, which is above most PCSO starting salaries outside the South East.