Pre-Arranged Overtime (PAO) is overtime worked at 1.5× your basic hourly rate, paid for time worked beyond your contracted 42-hour week. PAO is the standard mechanism for paid overtime under the NJC Grey Book — distinct from unplanned operational over-runs and recall-to-duty arrangements which can have their own treatment.
PAO is available to Firefighter, Crew Manager, Watch Manager and Station Manager grades. Group Manager and above are not eligible — they're on the Conditional Service Agreement and instead receive the FDS allowance for on-call working.
PAO earnings are pensionable under FPS rules. Tax and NI are deducted as normal. A typical operational firefighter working 10 hours of PAO per month at Competent earns an extra £3,196/year gross (10 × £26.63 × 12).
Because PAO is non-pensionable, it behaves differently from basic pay in the take-home calculation: no contribution is deducted, but the whole amount is exposed to income tax and National Insurance. For a competent firefighter on £38,881 the practical effect is that overtime is worth proportionally more per hour after deductions than basic pay is, right up until total earnings approach the higher-rate threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is firefighter overtime calculated?
Pre-Arranged Overtime is paid at 1.5× your basic hourly rate. For a Competent firefighter (£17.75/hour basic), PAO is paid at £26.63/hour. Higher ranks earn proportionally more per PAO hour.
Who is eligible for PAO?
Firefighter (Development and Competent), Crew Manager, Watch Manager and Station Manager grades are all eligible for PAO. Group Manager and above are not — they're on the Conditional Service Agreement and receive FDS instead.
Is PAO pensionable?
Yes. Pre-Arranged Overtime counts as pensionable pay under the Firefighters' Pension Scheme rules — both the FPS 2015 (CARE) and the legacy 1992/2006 schemes.
What is the PAO rate for a Competent firefighter?
A Competent firefighter on £17.75/hour basic earns £26.63/hour for PAO (1.5× multiplier). Working 10 hours of PAO per month adds around £3,196/year gross.
How much do firefighters typically earn from PAO?
It varies enormously by FRS, role and personal availability. Typical operational firefighters might do 5–20 PAO hours per month; some specialist roles or busy stations significantly more. The calculator lets you enter your expected monthly PAO hours to see the impact on annual pay.
Is PAO pensionable?
No. Pre-Arranged Overtime is excluded from pensionable pay, so no contribution is taken from it and it does not affect which FPS tier you fall into. It is fully subject to income tax and National Insurance.
Which ranks can claim PAO?
Firefighter, Crew Manager, Watch Manager and Station Manager. Group Manager and Area Manager are not PAO eligible, because those ranks are on the Flexible Duty System instead.
How is PAO taxed?
As ordinary earnings through PAYE at your marginal rate. For a competent firefighter whose basic pay sits well below the £50,270 higher-rate threshold, most PAO is taxed at 20%, though a heavy month can push part of it into the 40% band.
Why does a month with lots of overtime feel disappointing?
National Insurance is calculated per pay period rather than annually, so a single large month can push earnings above the monthly upper earnings limit. The same total spread across several months usually costs slightly less in National Insurance.
What counts as Pre-Arranged Overtime?
Additional duty agreed in advance rather than an unplanned extension of a shift — typically covering known shortfalls, training events or standby commitments. It is paid at time and a half under the Grey Book, and because it is arranged ahead it is predictable in a way that unplanned recalls are not.