A new Police Scotland constable is paid £34,001 a year from 1 April 2026, from appointment. Pay rises to £36,995 after one year and £39,988 after two years, then by annual increments to £54,597 at the top of the constable scale. This guide sets out the full 2026 pay scales for every rank, from constable to chief constable, using Police Scotland’s published figures.
Police Scotland pay at a glance (from 1 April 2026)
- Starting salary: £34,001 on appointment as a constable.
- After 1 year: £36,995. After 2 years: £39,988.
- Top of the constable scale: £54,597 (pay point 11).
- Sergeant: £56,455 to £61,036. Inspector: £67,491 to £74,853.
- Pension: career average police pension scheme, pension age 60.
Source: Police Scotland, pay and grading structure; Police Negotiating Board for Scotland circular 2026-01.
Police Scotland constable salary 2026
Every new officer joins as a constable, whatever their background, and starts on the same salary. The table shows each pay point on the constable scale for 2025 and from 1 April 2026.
| Pay point | 2025 | From 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| On appointment | £32,851 | £34,001 |
| 1 (after 1 year) | £35,744 | £36,995 |
| 2 | £38,636 | £39,988 |
| 3 | £40,944 | £42,377 |
| 4 | £42,206 | £43,683 |
| 5 | £43,540 | £45,064 |
| 6 | £44,755 | £46,321 |
| 7 | £45,836 | £47,440 |
| 8 | £47,285 | £48,940 |
| 9 | £50,089 | £51,842 |
| 10 | £51,085 | £52,873 |
| 11 | £52,751 | £54,597 |