What’s the Best Salary for Directors in 2025? A Guide for Scottish Businesses
Introduction
As a director of a Scottish small business, setting your salary can be a balancing act. You
want to minimise tax whilst ensuring you qualify for State Pension contributions. At Clyde
Offices, we support directors with services like virtual assistants to manage payroll. In this
post, we’ll explore the best salary for directors in 2025 and how to optimise your income in
Scotland.
Why Your Director’s Salary Matters
Your salary as a director affects your personal tax, National Insurance contributions (NICs),
and State Pension eligibility. Setting it too high can increase your tax bill, whilst setting it too
low might mean missing out on benefits like State Pension credits. In Scotland, with its
unique tax bands, finding the right balance is crucial.
The Optimal Salary for 2025/26 in Scotland
Based on estimated 2025/26 thresholds (confirm with HMRC or the Scottish Budget):
- Primary Threshold (NICs): Likely £9,282/year (up from £9,100 in 2024/25).
- Lower Earnings Limit (LEL): Around £6,524/year (to qualify for State Pension).
- Personal Allowance: Approximately £12,821 (up from £12,570).
The best salary for most directors is £9,282/year (£774/month):
- No NICs: At £9,282, you pay no employee or employer NICs (below the Primary and
Secondary Thresholds). - State Pension: You qualify for State Pension contributions (above the LEL).
- Minimal Tax: Your salary is below the Personal Allowance, so you pay no income
tax on it.
This leaves more of your Personal Allowance for dividends, which are taxed at a
lower rate (8.75% in the Starter, Basic, and Intermediate bands).
Complement with Dividends
With a salary of £9,282, you can take dividends up to the Higher Rate threshold (£44,535,
estimated for 2025/26):
- Total Income: £44,535.
- Salary: £9,282.
- Dividends: £44,535 – £9,282 = £35,253.
This keeps you in the Intermediate Rate band (21%), avoiding the Higher Rate (42%).
How Clyde Offices Can Help
Managing payroll and tax planning can be time-consuming. Clyde Offices offers:
- Virtual Assistants: Outsource payroll updates and tax admin to our team. Learn more
at Clyde Offices Virtual Assistant. - Compliance Support: We help ensure your business stays compliant with HMRC.
See our terms at Clyde Offices Terms and Conditions.
Optimise Your Director’s Salary Today
Setting the best salary for directors in 2025 can save you tax and secure your State Pension.
With Clyde Offices’ support, you can focus on growing your Scottish business whilst we
handle the admin. Ready to streamline your payroll? Contact us today.
We’d love to hear from you! Have questions about your director’s salary? Contact us or
comment below!
