NHS Band 4 vs Band 6 — Salary, Pay & Roles Compared

Band 6 pays £11,567 more per year at starting salary — that's roughly £555.99 extra per month after deductions.

Salary Difference

+£11,567/yr

Take Home Difference

+£555.99/mo

Band 4Band 6

Pay

Starting salary£28,392£39,959
Top of band£31,157£48,117
Take home (start)£1,873.79£2,429.77
Take home (top)£1,990.32£2,865.96
Hourly rate£14.56£20.49

Deductions & Benefits

Pension rate6.5%9.8%
Pay steps23
Overtime eligibleYesYes

Entry Requirements

Typical training2 years3 years

Typical Roles

Examples
Assistant PractitionerNursing AssociatePharmacy TechnicianSenior Administrator
Senior Staff NurseCommunity Nurse / District NurseSenior PhysiotherapistSpecialist Midwife

What Changes from Band 4 to Band 6?

Moving from Band 4 to Band 6 means a pay increase of £11,567/year at starting salary, which works out to roughly £555.99/month more in your pocket after tax, NI and pension.

Your pension contribution rate increases from 6.5% to 9.8%, 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 6 roles typically require more experience, responsibility, or qualifications than Band 4. Check the roles table above to see what's expected at each level.

Band 4 vs Band 6 FAQ

Band 6 starts at £39,959 compared to £28,392 for Band 4 — a difference of £11,567 per year. After tax, NI and pension, that works out to roughly £555.99 more per month in your pocket.