When a full-time role is five equal working days per week, the quickest way to estimate a reduced-days salary is to convert the number of working days into a percentage of full time.
Working percentages
- 2 days out of 5 = 40% = 0.4 FTE.
- 3 days out of 5 = 60% = 0.6 FTE.
- 4 days out of 5 = 80% = 0.8 FTE.
Example using a £30,000 full-time salary
| Working pattern | FTE | Simple pro rata salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | 0.40 | £12,000 |
| 3 days | 0.60 | £18,000 |
| 4 days | 0.80 | £24,000 |
Example using a £50,000 full-time salary
At 0.4 FTE the simple pro rata salary is £20,000, at 0.6 FTE it is £30,000, and at 0.8 FTE it is £40,000.
Other working patterns: 20 hours a week · 24 hours a week · 30 hours a week · 37.5-hour week · 40-hour week · 2 days a week · 3 days a week · 4 days a week · 37.5 vs 40 hours · part-time hours tables · pro rata hours · days vs hours
When to calculate by hours instead
Use hours rather than days if your working days are different lengths, you work shifts, or the full-time role is not based on five equal days. Hours give a more precise comparison in those cases.
Try the pro rata salary calculator and select “By days” or “By hours” depending on your working pattern.