The 2026/27 NHS pay bands have been confirmed following a 3.3% pay award across all Agenda for Change bands. Whether you are a Band 2 healthcare assistant or a Band 9 director, your basic salary has gone up. The new rates apply from April 2026 and should appear on your May payslip. Below you will find the complete salary table for all 11 bands, hourly rates, and realistic take-home estimates so you can see exactly what you will earn this year. Use our NHS pay calculator to get a personalised breakdown for your circumstances.
Complete NHS Pay Bands Table 2026/27
The table below shows England salaries based on a 37.5-hour week (1,957.5 contracted hours per year). Scotland uses the same base salaries with a small uplift multiplier of 1.00432, but staff work a 36-hour week (1,872 hours per year), which results in a higher hourly rate.
| Band | Entry Salary | Top of Band | Pay Points | Entry Hourly Rate | Top Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £25,272 | 1 | £12.91 | £12.91 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | £27,476 | 2 | £13.16 | £14.03 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | £31,157 | 2 | £14.50 | £15.91 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £39,043 | 3 | £16.38 | £19.94 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £48,117 | 3 | £20.41 | £24.58 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £56,515 | 3 | £25.23 | £28.87 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £64,750 | 3 | £29.39 | £33.08 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £77,368 | 3 | £34.01 | £39.52 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £91,609 | 3 | £40.61 | £46.80 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £108,814 | 3 | £48.20 | £55.59 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £129,783 | 3 | £57.61 | £66.30 |
Hourly rates are calculated by dividing the annual salary by 1,957.5 contracted hours.
What Changed for 2026/27
The pay award for 2026/27 has been applied as a 3.3% increase across every Agenda for Change pay point. That means all 11 bands have risen, from Band 2 at £25,272 right through to Band 9 at £129,783. For lower bands, the increase keeps NHS pay comfortably above the National Living Wage. For mid-range bands like Band 5 and Band 6, the uplift is particularly welcome given the recruitment challenges the NHS continues to face.
If you were already employed before April 2026, the new rates apply automatically. Your trust's payroll team will update your salary, and any delay will be backdated as a lump sum.
How the Bands Are Structured
Each band has between one and three pay points. You move up one point each year provided you meet the requirements of your role, so most staff reach the top of their band within one to two years. Here is what each band typically covers:
- •Bands 2 to 4 cover support roles — healthcare assistants, admin staff, and clinical support workers.
- •Band 5 is the entry point for newly qualified nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other registered professionals.
- •Band 6 and Band 7 cover specialist and senior clinical roles, team leaders, and ward managers.
- •Bands 8a to 8d and Band 9 are reserved for very senior managers, consultants, and directors.
Take-Home Pay Estimates
Your gross salary is only part of the picture. What matters is what you take home after income tax, National Insurance, and NHS Pension contributions. The table below shows estimated monthly take-home for a standard England taxpayer with no student loan and no HCAS.
| Band | Pay Point | Gross Salary | Pension Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | Entry (Step 1) | £32,073 | 8.3% |
| Band 5 | Top (Step 3) | £39,043 | 9.8% |
| Band 6 | Entry (Step 1) | £39,959 | 9.8% |
| Band 6 | Top (Step 3) | £48,117 | 9.8% |
| Band 7 | Entry (Step 1) | £49,387 | 9.8% |
| Band 7 | Top (Step 3) | £56,515 | 10.7% |
Use the NHS pay calculator for exact take-home figures based on your circumstances including student loans, salary sacrifice schemes, HCAS, and overtime.
NHS Pension Contribution Rates
Your pension contribution is based on your total pensionable pay and is deducted before tax. The 2026/27 tiers are:
| Pensionable Pay | Contribution Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,259 | 5.2% |
| £13,260 to £28,854 | 6.5% |
| £28,855 to £35,155 | 8.3% |
| £35,156 to £52,778 | 9.8% |
| £52,779 to £67,668 | 10.7% |
| £67,669 and above | 12.5% |
The pension rate is a flat rate applied to your entire salary, not a marginal rate. Moving into a higher tier means the new rate applies to all your pensionable pay, which can sometimes mean a small net pay dip when you cross a threshold.
Unsocial Hours and Enhancements
Your basic band salary is just the starting point. If you work evenings, nights, weekends, or bank holidays, you receive unsocial hours enhancements on top of your basic hourly rate. The rates depend on your band:
- •Bands 2 and 3: 41% for evenings, Saturdays, and weekday nights; 83% for Sundays and bank holidays.
- •Bands 4 to 7: 30% for evenings, Saturdays, and weekday nights; 60% for Sundays and bank holidays.
- •Bands 8a to 9: no unsocial hours payments.
For many staff on rotating shift patterns, these enhancements can add £200 to £500 per month to take-home pay.
What You Should Do Now
If you are not sure which band applies to your role, check your contract or ask your line manager. Use our NHS pay calculator to see exactly what your take-home pay looks like after tax, pension, and other deductions. Select your band and pay point, and the calculator will show you a detailed monthly breakdown. You can also explore individual band pages like Band 5, Band 6, and Band 7 for more detailed guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does NHS Band 5 earn in 2026/27?
When do NHS pay bands change?
What is the NHS pay rise for 2026/27?
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