NHS Pay Scales 2026/27 (Agenda for Change)
The full confirmed 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales for England, from Band 2 to Band 9, after the 3.3% pay award effective 1 April 2026. Every pay point with its gross salary, official hourly rate, NHS pension tier and estimated monthly take-home pay.
Full 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales (England)
By Dan · Updated 7 June 2026 · Checked against NHS Employers, NHSBSA and GOV.UK rates.
This is the complete 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay table for England, every band and pay point in one place, but with the column most official sources leave out: what each salary is actually worth per month after the NHS pension, tax and National Insurance.
These are the confirmed annual pay points from 1 April 2026 after the 3.3% award. The monthly take-home column assumes England, full-time hours, a standard tax code, NHS pension at the tier shown and no student loan. Hourly rates are the official NHS Employers 2026/27 values for a standard 37.5-hour week and exclude unsocial-hours pay and London weighting.
Swipe to compare all pay, pension and take-home columns →
| Band | Pay point | Annual (gross) | Official hourly rate | Pension tier | Monthly take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Entry | £25,272 | £12.92 | 6.5% | £1,700.11 |
| Band 3 | Entry | £25,760 | £13.17 | 6.5% | £1,727.27 |
| Band 3 | Top | £27,476 | £14.05 | 6.5% | £1,822.80 |
| Band 4 | Entry | £28,392 | £14.52 | 6.5% | £1,873.79 |
| Band 4 | Top | £31,157 | £15.93 | 8.3% | £1,990.32 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £32,073 | £16.40 | 8.3% | £2,040.21 |
| Band 5 | Intermediate | £34,592 | £17.69 | 8.3% | £2,177.41 |
| Band 5 | Top | £39,043 | £19.97 | 9.8% | £2,380.80 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £39,959 | £20.44 | 9.8% | £2,429.77 |
| Band 6 | Intermediate | £42,170 | £21.57 | 9.8% | £2,547.99 |
| Band 6 | Top | £48,117 | £24.61 | 9.8% | £2,865.96 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £49,387 | £25.26 | 9.8% | £2,933.86 |
| Band 7 | Intermediate | £51,932 | £26.56 | 9.8% | £3,078.24 |
| Band 7 | Top | £56,515 | £28.90 | 10.7% | £3,308.99 |
| Band 8a | Entry | £57,528 | £29.42 | 10.7% | £3,352.53 |
| Band 8a | Intermediate | £60,417 | £30.90 | 10.7% | £3,476.71 |
| Band 8a | Top | £64,750 | £33.11 | 10.7% | £3,662.95 |
| Band 8b | Entry | £66,582 | £34.05 | 10.7% | £3,741.70 |
| Band 8b | Intermediate | £70,896 | £36.26 | 12.5% | £3,863.32 |
| Band 8b | Top | £77,368 | £39.57 | 12.5% | £4,135.69 |
| Band 8c | Entry | £79,504 | £40.66 | 12.5% | £4,225.58 |
| Band 8c | Intermediate | £84,346 | £43.14 | 12.5% | £4,429.34 |
| Band 8c | Top | £91,609 | £46.85 | 12.5% | £4,735.00 |
| Band 8d | Entry | £94,356 | £48.26 | 12.5% | £4,850.60 |
| Band 8d | Intermediate | £100,140 | £51.21 | 12.5% | £5,094.01 |
| Band 8d | Top | £108,814 | £55.65 | 12.5% | £5,459.04 |
| Band 9 | Entry | £112,782 | £57.68 | 12.5% | £5,626.03 |
| Band 9 | Intermediate | £119,583 | £61.16 | 12.5% | £5,834.98 |
| Band 9 | Top | £129,783 | £66.37 | 12.5% | £6,115.48 |
For a personalised figure including student loan, part-time hours and London weighting, open the calculator on any band page.
How NHS pay progression works
Agenda for Change bands usually have an entry point and a top point, with some bands also having an intermediate point. In the 2026/27 table, Band 5 runs from £32,073 to £39,043, Band 6 from £39,959 to £48,117, and Band 7 from £49,387 to £56,515. Progression is not the same as take-home progression: each move can also change pension, tax, NI and student-loan deductions.
For example, Band 5 in England moves from £32,073 to £34,592 after two years, then to £39,043 after a further two years. Band 6 moves from £39,959 to £42,170, then £48,117. The gross jump is useful, but the calculator shows take-home because pension, tax, NI and student loan deductions also rise.
NHS pension contribution tiers 2026/27
NHS employee pension contributions are tiered by actual annual pensionable pay. Contributions are taken before Income Tax in the standard net-pay arrangement, so the payslip deduction is visible but the tax relief is automatic.
The practical point is that progression can move someone into a new tier. In 2026/27, Band 5 entry and intermediate pay are in the 8.3% tier, but top Band 5 is in the 9.8% tier. A Band 6 top-point worker with Inner London HCAS can move into the 10.7% tier. That is why the site shows the pension line separately instead of hiding it inside one net figure.
Typical roles by band
Agenda for Change covers most NHS staff outside medical, dental and very senior manager contracts. Band 5 commonly includes newly qualified nurses, midwives, paramedics and many AHP roles; Band 6 often covers specialist or senior clinical posts; Band 7 commonly covers advanced/senior specialists and team leaders. The exact band is set by job evaluation, so job title alone is not enough to confirm pay.
As a rough guide, Band 5 often includes newly qualified registered nurses and allied health professionals; Band 6 is commonly used for senior or specialist roles; Band 7 often covers advanced specialist, team-lead or ward-manager responsibilities. Local job descriptions still matter, so use the band and pay point from the employment offer or payslip for the calculator.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The table on this page is for England 2026/27. Agenda for Change is a UK framework, but each nation confirms its own award and implementation timing. Scotland also uses different income-tax bands, so even where gross pay looks similar, take-home pay can differ.
Tax can also differ. Scotland has separate income-tax bands, while Wales and Northern Ireland currently use the same basic income-tax structure as England for this type of estimate. Use the England table as a guide, but check the relevant national pay circular for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
What are the NHS pay scales for 2026/27?▼
They are the Agenda for Change annual pay points for England from 1 April 2026, after the confirmed 3.3% award. They run from Band 2 at £25,272 to Band 9 at £112,782 to £129,783, with one to three pay points per band.
How many pay points does each band have?▼
Band 2 has a single point. Bands 3 and 4 have two (entry and top). Bands 5 to 9 have three (entry, intermediate and top). You start at entry and move up after a fixed number of years, subject to satisfactory appraisal.
How long does it take to reach the top of a band?▼
Time to the top depends on the band. Band 3 reaches its top point after 2 years, Band 4 after 3 years, Band 5 after 4 years (2 years to the intermediate point, then 2 more), and Bands 6 to 9 after 5 years (2 years to the intermediate point, then 3 more), subject to the NHS pay progression process. Moving from Band 8a to 8b, 8c or 8d is a promotion, not an automatic increment.
How is the NHS hourly rate calculated?▼
The official hourly rate divides the annual salary by the standard full-time hours for a 37.5-hour week. It is useful for overtime, bank shifts and part-time planning, but it excludes unsocial-hours enhancements and London weighting.
Why is my take-home pay lower than the gross salary?▼
Income Tax, National Insurance and tiered NHS pension contributions all come out of gross pay, plus any student loan. The take-home column here assumes England, full-time, a standard tax code and no student loan.
Are these pay scales the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?▼
England is the baseline for these estimates. Wales accepted a 3.3% AfC uplift for 2026/27. Northern Ireland's Health Minister stated an intention to proceed with 3.3%, subject to budget clarity, while Scotland agreed a separate 3.75% award and uses different income-tax bands.
Do these figures include London weighting?▼
No. High Cost Area Supplements are added on top for eligible Inner, Outer and Fringe locations. See the London weighting page for those figures after tax.
When do the 2026/27 pay scales take effect?▼
From 1 April 2026. The NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook was updated on that date, and the increase appeared in April 2026 pay packets.
Sources
NHS Employers supplies the 2026/27 pay points and hourly rates; NHSBSA supplies pension tiers; GOV.UK supplies tax and NI thresholds. Take-home figures are illustrative and vary by tax code, pension, loan, hours and location.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| NHS Employers 2026/27 pay scales | Confirmed Agenda for Change pay points |
| NHSBSA pension scheme | Pension contribution tiers |
| GOV.UK rates and thresholds 2026/27 | Income Tax and National Insurance |
| Welsh Government pay statement | Wales 3.3% uplift from 1 April 2026 |
| Northern Ireland Department of Health statement | Northern Ireland intention and budget caveat |
| Scottish Government NHS pay deal | Scotland 3.75% uplift and inflation guarantee |