NHS Band 3 vs Band 5 — Salary, Pay & Roles Compared
Band 5 pays £6,313 more per year at starting salary — that's roughly £312.94 extra per month after deductions.
Salary Difference
+£6,313/yr
Take Home Difference
+£312.94/mo
Pay
Deductions & Benefits
Entry Requirements
Typical Roles
What Changes from Band 3 to Band 5?
Moving from Band 3 to Band 5 means a pay increase of £6,313/year at starting salary, which works out to roughly £312.94/month more in your pocket after tax, NI and pension.
Your pension contribution rate increases from 6.5% to 8.3%, which means a slightly higher deduction — but remember, the NHS pension is one of the best in the UK, so the extra contribution builds more retirement income.
Band 5 roles typically require more experience, responsibility, or qualifications than Band 3. Check the roles table above to see what's expected at each level.
Band 3 vs Band 5 FAQ
Band 5 starts at £32,073 compared to £25,760 for Band 3 — a difference of £6,313 per year. After tax, NI and pension, that works out to roughly £312.94 more per month in your pocket.