Probation pay and pension

For Probation Service staff in England and Wales: what you take home in every band, where the 2026/27 pay offer stands, and guides for probation officers, PSOs and trainees.

Updated for the 2026/27 tax year

Probation pay calculator

Take-home for every band and pay point, with current rates or the 2026/27 offer, London Allowance, Prison Supplement, standby and overtime.

New probation officer£2,366.22 a month
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LGPS pension calculator

Probation staff are in the Local Government Pension Scheme. See your pension and lump sum at retirement in today’s money.

Builds 1/49 of pay a yearCareer average
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Probation pay guides

Probation officer salaryBand 4 pay and take-homePSO salaryBand 3 pay and the PSO roleSenior probation officer salaryBand 5 payPQiP trainee payTraining to be a probation officerProbation pay rise 2026The 5% offer and where it stands

Probation pay at a glance

  • Current rates include the 6% award for 2025/26.
  • HMPPS has offered 5% for 2026/27, backdated to April. It has not yet been agreed.
  • Probation officers (Band 4) are paid £37,238 to £44,520, and PSOs (Band 3) £28,064 to £33,549.
  • Probation staff are in the LGPS, not the civil service pension. Prison staff are covered in the prison section.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a probation officer take home a month?

A qualified probation officer starts on £37,238 (Band 4, point 1), which is about £2,366 a month after tax, NI and the LGPS. A probation services officer starts on £28,064, about £1,869 a month.

Is there a probation pay rise for 2026?

HMPPS has offered 5% on all pay points and allowances from 1 April 2026, plus the next pay point for eligible staff. UNISON recommended accepting it, while Napo rejected it and moved to an industrial action ballot. Until it is agreed, staff are paid the 2025/26 rates.

What was the 2025/26 probation pay award?

A 6% rise on all pay points and allowances, agreed in 2026 after members rejected an earlier 4% offer. The London Allowance rose to £4,505.

What pension do probation staff get?

Probation staff are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme, run by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, not the civil service scheme. A new probation officer pays 6.5% of pay, about £201.71 a month, which reduces take-home by about £161.36 after tax relief.

How much is the probation London Allowance?

£4,505 a year at current rates, rising to £4,730 if the 2026/27 offer is agreed. It is paid pro rata for part-time staff.

What is the Prison Supplement in probation?

An allowance for probation staff working in prisons: £781 a year now, or £820 under the 2026/27 offer.