Table of Contents
What are NHS Pay Scales?
NHS pay scales for 2025/26 are structured salary bands used to determine pay for NHS staff across the UK (with pay scales that can differ by nation). The majority of NHS employees are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC), which provides a transparent and fair pay system based on job evaluation.
NHS Pay Band Salary Calculator
Select your NHS pay band and weekly hours to estimate your annual and monthly salary (before tax).
NHS pay is based on a 37.5-hour working week, which also allows you to work out an equivalent hourly rate for each band.
How NHS Pay Bands Work (Agenda for Change)
NHS band pay scales are part of Agenda for Change (for example, Band 5 roles include many registered nurses and paramedics). Each job is matched to a band based on responsibilities, skills, and job evaluation. Each band has a salary range (pay points), and staff usually move through pay points over time, subject to satisfactory performance.
NHS salaries are shown as full-time equivalent (FTE) based on a standard 37.5-hour working week. If you work part-time, your NHS pay is calculated on a pro rata basis.
Use the calculator above to estimate your 2025/26 NHS salary by selecting your band and contracted weekly hours.
Agenda for Change Explained
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the national pay system for most NHS staff, introduced in 2004. It replaced hundreds of separate pay arrangements with a single, unified pay structure that applies consistently across the NHS.
Key features of Agenda for Change include:
- Job evaluation: Each role is evaluated and assigned to a specific band based on knowledge, skills, responsibilities, and working conditions
- Pay bands: Band 2 to Band 9 (with Band 8 split into 8a–8d) with multiple pay points within each band
- Annual increments: Staff typically progress to the next pay point each year, subject to satisfactory performance
- National pay awards: Annual pay increases negotiated nationally that apply to all staff
- Fair pay: Ensures equal pay for work of equal value
Agenda for Change covers most NHS staff including nurses, healthcare assistants, administrative staff, allied health professionals, and many others. Medical doctors and dentists have separate pay arrangements.
NHS Pay Bands Overview
The table below shows the NHS pay bands under Agenda for Change. Each band contains multiple pay points, and staff typically start at the minimum pay point and progress annually.
England (from 1 April 2025): The figures below are annual Agenda for Change pay bands and pay points for England. Pay scales can differ by UK nation, so always check the official publication relevant to your country.
Source: NHS Employers / official Agenda for Change pay circular for England (latest available for 2025/26).
| Band | Typical Roles | Pay Points (Min–Max) | Quick Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Healthcare assistants, domestic supervisors, receptionists | £24,465 – £24,465 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 3 | Senior healthcare assistants, clinical support workers, medical secretaries | £24,937 – £26,598 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 4 | Assistant practitioners, pharmacy technicians, trainee nursing associates | £27,485 – £30,162 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 5 | Registered nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists | £31,049 – £37,796 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 6 | Senior nurses, specialist practitioners, team leaders, senior paramedics | £38,682 – £46,580 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 7 | Advanced practitioners, clinical specialists, ward managers, senior therapists | £47,810 – £54,710 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 8a | Modern matrons, service managers, advanced clinical practitioners | £55,690 – £62,682 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 8b | Senior managers, consultant practitioners, heads of service | £64,455 – £74,896 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 8c | General managers, clinical directors, senior service heads | £76,965 – £88,682 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 8d | Associate directors, deputy directors, senior clinical leaders | £91,342 – £105,337 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
| Band 9 | Very senior managers, directors, chief executives | £109,179 – £125,637 | Calculate pro rata | Estimate take-home |
Data note: Figures shown are for England from 1 April 2025. Pay scales can differ by UK nation and may change through national pay awards. Always verify current pay information with the official publication relevant to your country and year.
Quick Calculations
Calculate your NHS pay:
- Pro rata calculator - Calculate part-time NHS pay
- Salary calculator - Estimate take-home pay
- Hourly calculator - Convert to hourly rate
Part-Time / Pro Rata NHS Pay
Many NHS staff work part-time, and their pay is calculated pro rata based on the proportion of hours they work compared to full-time hours. Full-time NHS staff typically work 37.5 hours per week.
For example, if a full-time Band 5 nurse works 37.5 hours per week and earns £35,000 per year, a part-time Band 5 nurse working 18.75 hours per week (50% of full-time) would earn 50% of the full-time salary, which is £17,500 per year.
Pro rata NHS pay ensures that part-time staff receive fair compensation proportional to their working hours, maintaining equity with full-time colleagues on the same band and pay point.
Calculate Your Pro Rata NHS Pay
Use our pro rata salary calculator to convert your full-time NHS salary into your part-time equivalent. Simply enter your full-time salary, full-time hours (typically 37.5 for NHS), and your part-time hours to get your annual, monthly, weekly, and hourly pro rata pay.
Calculate Pro Rata NHS PayPro rata calculations also apply to other benefits such as holiday entitlement, pension contributions, and sick pay, ensuring part-time NHS staff receive proportional benefits.
Hourly NHS Pay
While NHS staff are typically paid an annual salary, it can be useful to understand your hourly rate for budgeting, comparing with other roles, or calculating overtime payments.
To convert your NHS annual salary to an hourly rate:
- Divide your annual salary by 52 weeks to get your weekly salary
- Divide your weekly salary by your weekly hours (typically 37.5 for full-time NHS staff)
For example, a Band 5 nurse earning £35,000 per year working 37.5 hours per week would have an hourly rate of approximately £17.95 (£35,000 ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5).
Use our hourly calculator to convert between annual NHS salary and hourly rates, and see how tax and National Insurance affect your take-home pay.
Take-Home Pay
Your NHS take-home pay is your salary after deductions for income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and any student loan repayments.
Key deductions for NHS staff include:
- Income Tax: Based on UK tax bands (Personal Allowance: £12,570 for 2025/26)
- National Insurance: 12% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, 2% above £50,270
- NHS Pension Scheme: Contribution rates vary by salary, typically between 5.1% and 14.5% of pensionable pay
- Student Loan: If applicable, 9% of earnings above the threshold for your plan
Your actual take-home pay can vary based on pension scheme section, salary sacrifice, tax code, and any unsocial hours/overtime.
To get an accurate estimate of your NHS take-home pay, use our salary calculator. Enter your annual NHS salary, select your pension contribution rate, and any student loan plan to see a detailed breakdown of deductions and your net pay.
If you want to benchmark your pay, use our Compare Your Salary page.
Once you know your take-home pay, use our budget planner to plan your monthly finances and manage expenses effectively.
NHS Pay Rises and Pay Increases
NHS pay can increase in two main ways:
1. Annual Increments (Pay Point Progression)
Staff typically receive an annual increment to move to the next pay point within their band, subject to satisfactory performance. This usually occurs on the anniversary of your employment start date. Progression continues until you reach the maximum pay point for your band.
2. National Pay Awards
National pay awards are negotiated annually between NHS Employers, trade unions, and the government. These typically take effect from 1 April each year and apply to all staff covered by Agenda for Change. Pay awards may include:
- Percentage increases to all pay points
- Changes to pay band boundaries
- One-off payments or consolidated increases
The specific details of pay awards vary each year and are subject to negotiation. Always check official NHS Employers or government publications for the latest pay award information.
After reaching the maximum pay point for your band, further pay increases depend on national pay awards or promotion to a higher band.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NHS pay scales?
NHS pay scales are structured salary bands used to determine pay for NHS staff in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Most NHS staff are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC), which uses a banding system from Band 2 to Band 9, with each band containing multiple pay points that staff progress through based on experience and performance.
What is Agenda for Change?
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the national pay system for most NHS staff, introduced in 2004. It replaced hundreds of separate pay arrangements with a single, unified pay structure. AfC uses a banding system (Bands 2-9) where each role is assigned to a band based on job evaluation, and staff progress through pay points within their band.
What are NHS pay bands?
NHS pay bands are the salary ranges within Agenda for Change, numbered from Band 2 (lowest) to Band 9 (highest). Each band contains multiple pay points, and staff typically start at the bottom pay point and progress to higher points based on annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance. Band 2 covers entry-level roles, while Band 9 covers very senior management positions.
How does NHS banding work?
NHS banding works by assigning each role to a specific band (2-9) based on job evaluation criteria including knowledge, skills, responsibilities, and working conditions. Within each band, there are multiple pay points. Staff typically start at the minimum pay point and progress annually to the next point, up to the maximum for their band, subject to satisfactory performance.
Do part-time NHS staff get pro rata pay?
Yes, part-time NHS staff receive pro rata pay based on the proportion of hours they work compared to full-time hours. For example, if a full-time Band 5 role is 37.5 hours per week and you work 18.75 hours (50%), your salary would be 50% of the full-time Band 5 salary. Use our pro rata salary calculator to calculate your part-time NHS pay.
How do I calculate pro rata NHS pay?
To calculate pro rata NHS pay, divide your working hours by full-time hours (typically 37.5 hours per week for NHS staff), then multiply by the full-time salary for your band and pay point. For example: (Your Hours ÷ 37.5) × Full-Time Salary = Pro Rata Salary. Our pro rata calculator automates this calculation for you.
How do increments / pay points work?
NHS pay points represent incremental steps within each band. Staff typically receive an annual increment (pay rise) to move to the next pay point, subject to satisfactory performance. The number of pay points varies by band, and progression continues until the maximum pay point for that band is reached. After reaching the maximum, further pay increases depend on national pay awards or promotion to a higher band.
How can I estimate NHS take-home pay?
To estimate your NHS take-home pay, you need to account for income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions (NHS Pension Scheme), and any student loan repayments. Use our salary calculator to get an accurate estimate of your take-home pay after all deductions for 2025/26.
What is the difference between salary and hourly rate?
NHS staff are typically paid an annual salary, which is divided into 12 monthly payments. To convert your NHS salary to an hourly rate, divide your annual salary by 52 weeks, then by your weekly hours (typically 37.5 for full-time). Use our hourly calculator to convert between annual salary and hourly rates.
When do NHS pay scales change?
NHS pay scales can change through national pay awards negotiated between NHS Employers, trade unions, and the government. These typically take effect from 1 April each year. Individual pay point progression (increments) usually occurs on the anniversary of your employment start date, subject to satisfactory performance.