Contractor Day Rate Calculator UK
Compare PAYE, Umbrella Company, and Limited Company options side-by-side. See your exact take-home pay and find the best contractor setup for your day rate.
Enter Your Day Rates
Input the different day rates offered for each contractor type
What is a Day Rate?
A day rate is the amount you earn per working day as a contractor. Different contractor structures (PAYE, Umbrella, Limited Company) offer different day rates because they have different tax and cost implications for both you and the client.
Typically, Limited Company contractors see higher day rates (£600-800), Umbrella contractors get mid-range rates (£500-650), and PAYE contractors receive lower rates (£400-550) because the agency handles more of the tax burden.
Understanding the Differences
- •PAYE: Simple, no admin, but typically lower day rates and less tax efficiency
- •Umbrella: Minimal admin, but you pay umbrella fees and employer's NI comes from your rate
- •Limited Company: Most tax-efficient for higher earners, but requires more admin and accounting