NHS Pay Rise 2026/27
The 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay award is a confirmed 3.3% consolidated rise for NHS staff in England, effective 1 April 2026 and paid from April — the first on-time April payment in six years. Here is what it means for your take-home pay, and how the four nations compare. Northern Ireland implementation should be checked against local Department of Health notices.
The 2026/27 NHS pay award at a glance
By Dan · Updated 8 September 2026 · Checked against NHS Employers, NHSBSA, GOV.UK and current four-nation pay announcements.
An NHS pay award is the annual change applied to national pay scales. For Agenda for Change staff, the NHS Pay Review Body makes recommendations and the government confirms the settlement; a consolidated award permanently raises basic pay rather than providing a one-off bonus.
For 2026/27, England’s Agenda for Change pay points rose by 3.3% from 1 April 2026. The tables below show the new salaries and explain why the increase in take-home pay is smaller after pension, tax, NI and any student loan.
For England, the award is a 3.3% consolidated increase on all pay points, effective from 1 April 2026. Because it was confirmed early, the NHS Business Services Authority has been able to process it for April 2026 pay packets — the first on-time April payment in six years, with no backdated lump sum to wait for. The award applies to every band from Band 2 to Band 9 and is added permanently to basic pay, so it also lifts pension contributions, increments and future percentage rises.
New 2026/27 pay by band (England)
These are the confirmed annual pay points from 1 April 2026 after the 3.3% award. For monthly take-home pay, hourly rates and every pay point, see the full pay scales page.
| Band | 2026/27 entry | 2026/27 top |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £25,272 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | £27,476 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | £31,157 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £39,043 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £48,117 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £56,515 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £64,750 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £77,368 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £91,609 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £108,814 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £129,783 |
See full 2026/27 pay scales with take-home and hourly rates →
What the pay rise means for your take-home pay
A 3.3% gross award is not a 3.3% increase in banked pay. The extra salary is subject to the worker’s marginal tax rate, National Insurance, pension contributions and any student-loan deduction.
The effect is especially noticeable near thresholds. A pay award can move pensionable pay into a higher NHS pension tier, or increase student-loan deductions once earnings sit further above the plan threshold. That is why the NHS pay-rise page links the award to take-home examples rather than only listing the new annual salaries.
The pay rise across the four nations
Agenda for Change is a UK-wide framework, but each nation confirms its own award.
England is the baseline for these estimates and implemented a 3.3% consolidated award from 1 April 2026. Wales also accepted a 3.3% consolidated uplift from that date. In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health’s cited statement set out an intention to proceed with 3.3%, subject to budget clarity. This should not be read as confirmation of payment: staff should check their employer’s notice and the Department’s pay circulars. Scotland negotiated separately and agreed a 3.75% Agenda for Change increase for 2026/27 under its two-year deal, which is guaranteed to remain above CPI inflation. Scotland also applies its own income tax, so take-home differs on both pay and tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the NHS pay rise for 2026/27?▼
The confirmed Agenda for Change award for England is a 3.3% consolidated rise, effective from 1 April 2026. Wales accepted the same 3.3% uplift. Northern Ireland stated an intention to proceed with 3.3%, subject to budget clarity, while Scotland agreed a separate 3.75% Agenda for Change increase.
When will the 2026/27 NHS pay rise be paid?▼
For Agenda for Change staff in England, the 3.3% award was paid from April 2026 following the early announcement on 12 February. Payment timing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland follows each nation’s arrangements; check your employer’s payroll notice.
Is the 2026/27 pay rise backdated?▼
The core 3.3% England Agenda for Change award was implemented in April 2026, so it did not require a later award-wide backdated lump sum. Individual payroll corrections, other nations’ arrangements and any separate structural pay reforms may have different payment dates.
What does consolidated mean?▼
A consolidated rise is added permanently to your basic salary, so it also feeds future pension contributions, increments and percentage rises. A non-consolidated payment is a one-off that does not increase base pay.
Do I keep all of the 3.3% increase?▼
No. The net gain depends on your marginal Income Tax rate, National Insurance, NHS pension tier and any student loan. A pay rise can also move pensionable pay into a higher contribution tier, so use the calculator rather than applying one fixed take-home percentage.
Does the pay rise apply to London weighting?▼
Yes. For 2026/27, the Inner, Outer and Fringe High Cost Area Supplement percentages, minimums and maximums were updated alongside the Agenda for Change pay scales from 1 April 2026.
Can the pay rise push me into a higher pension tier?▼
It can. Because the rise increases pensionable pay, staff near a tier boundary — for example upper Band 4, mid Band 7, or HCAS-adjusted salaries — can move into the next NHS pension contribution tier.
Does this cover doctors?▼
No. This page covers Agenda for Change. Doctors and consultants are paid under separate Medical and Dental terms. In England, resident doctors accepted a revised deal on 29 June 2026 that adds nodal-point reform to the 3.5% DDRB award and changes the 2026/27 resident-doctor pay structure. In Scotland, the Scottish Government announced on 12 August 2026 that consultants, GPs and SAS doctors will receive a separate 3.5% uplift for 2026/27, backdated to 1 April 2026 and expected to begin appearing in salaries at the end of September. Both are separate from Agenda for Change awards.
Sources
Figures are based on the confirmed 2026/27 NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay scales (effective 1 April 2026), the DHSC and NHS Pay Review Body announcements of 12 February 2026, and GOV.UK PAYE, National Insurance and NHS pension guidance. Take-home estimates are illustrative and depend on tax code, pension tier, student loan and location.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| NHS Employers 2026/27 pay scales | Confirmed England Agenda for Change pay points |
| DHSC 2026 NHS pay award update | England implementation timing and April pay packets |
| Welsh Government pay statement | Wales 3.3% consolidated 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% Agenda for Change uplift and inflation guarantee |
| DHSC/BMA resident-doctor deal | Accepted 2026/27 England resident-doctor nodal-point reform, separate from Agenda for Change |
| Scottish Government medical and dental pay awards | Separate Scotland consultant/GP/SAS 3.5% award announced 12 August 2026; not an Agenda for Change rate |
| GOV.UK rates and thresholds 2026/27 | Income Tax and National Insurance |