NHS Band 3 Take Home Pay Calculator 2026/27
Band 3 covers senior healthcare assistants, phlebotomists and emergency care assistants. Starting salary is £25,760 for 2026/27.
Starting Salary
£25,760
Top of Band
£27,476
Starting Take Home
£1,727.27/mo
Top Take Home
£1,822.80/mo
Band 3 Take Home Pay Table 2026/27
| Step | Gross Salary | Monthly Take Home |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | £25,760 | £1,727.27 |
| Step 2 | £27,476 | £1,822.80 |
Based on standard 37.5-hour week, Rest of UK (no HCAS), with NHS pension, no student loan. Use calculator below for exact figures.
Calculate Your Exact Band 3 Take Home Pay
Monthly Take Home Pay
Net Monthly Pay
£1,727.27
£398.60/week · £20,727.28/year
Income
Deductions
Band 3 Jobs — Roles & Qualifications
Here are the typical roles you'll find at Band 3, what qualifications you need, and how long it takes to get there.
Senior Healthcare Assistant
Takes on a wider range of clinical duties than a Band 2 HCA, such as ECGs, venepuncture, and catheter care, often supervising junior support workers on the ward.
Training
1 year
Setting
Hospital
Phlebotomist
Collects blood samples from patients across wards, clinics, and outpatient departments, ensuring correct labelling and safe handling of specimens for laboratory analysis.
Training
6 months
Setting
Hospital
Emergency Care Assistant
Works alongside paramedics on ambulances, providing initial emergency care including basic life support, splinting, and patient observations at the scene of incidents.
Training
6 months
Setting
Ambulance Service
Maternity Support Worker
Supports midwives with postnatal care, breastfeeding advice, and routine observations for mothers and newborns on maternity wards and in the community.
Training
1 year
Setting
Hospital
Dental Nurse
Assists dentists during examinations and procedures, prepares instruments and materials, and provides chairside support including aspiration and retraction.
Training
2 years
Registration
GDC
Setting
Dental Practice
Laboratory Assistant
Processes and prepares clinical samples in pathology laboratories, operating basic laboratory equipment and maintaining accurate records under the supervision of biomedical scientists.
Training
1 year
Setting
Hospital
Trainee Nursing Associate
Undertakes a two-year foundation degree programme while working in clinical settings, learning to deliver hands-on nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses.
Training
2 years (in training)
Setting
Hospital & Community
Therapy Assistant
Supports physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or speech and language therapists in delivering treatment programmes, preparing equipment, and assisting patients with exercises.
Training
1 year
Setting
Hospital & Community
Clinical Coding Officer
Translates clinical information from patient records into standardised codes used for statistical analysis, commissioning, and reimbursement purposes.
Training
6 months
Setting
Hospital
Medical Secretary
Provides secretarial and administrative support to consultants and clinical teams, typing clinic letters, managing referrals, and coordinating patient appointments.
Training
No formal qualification
Setting
Hospital
Ambulance Care Assistant
Provides non-emergency patient transport services, safely transferring patients between their homes, hospitals, and clinics, and assisting with mobility and comfort during journeys.
Training
6 months
Setting
Ambulance Service
Senior Mental Health Support Worker
Supports patients with mental health conditions by assisting with therapeutic activities, monitoring wellbeing, and providing emotional support under the guidance of registered mental health nurses.
Training
1 year
Setting
Hospital & Community
Ward Clerk
Manages the administrative tasks on a hospital ward, including maintaining patient records, coordinating admissions and discharges, and liaising with other departments.
Training
No formal qualification
Setting
Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions — Band 3
NHS Band 3 salary starts at £25,760 and rises to £27,476 at the top of the band for 2026/27. Band 3 has 2 pay points.
Thinking about moving bands?
Compare Band 3against other bands — see the salary difference, take-home impact, and what qualifications you'll need.
Compare Band 3 vs Band 4