NHS pay bands 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales.
Annual and hourly pay for every Agenda for Change band and step in England, after the 3.3% pay award from 1 April 2026, with estimated take-home pay and the NHS Pension contribution for each.
NHS pay bands table 2026/27
Full-time (37.5 hours) basic annual salaries. Figures in brackets are the years in post before you become eligible for the next step. Select a band for its take-home pay, part-time pay and pension.
Swipe across the table to see every column →
| Band | Entry | Intermediate | Top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £25,272 | — | — |
| Band 2 | £25,272 | — | — |
| Band 3 | £25,760 (2 yrs) | — | £27,476 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 (3 yrs) | — | £31,157 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 (2 yrs) | £34,592 (2 yrs) | £39,043 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 (2 yrs) | £42,170 (3 yrs) | £48,117 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 (2 yrs) | £51,932 (3 yrs) | £56,515 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 (2 yrs) | £60,417 (3 yrs) | £64,750 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 (2 yrs) | £70,896 (3 yrs) | £77,368 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 (2 yrs) | £84,346 (3 yrs) | £91,609 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 (2 yrs) | £100,140 (3 yrs) | £108,814 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 (2 yrs) | £119,583 (3 yrs) | £129,783 |
Moving up a step depends on time in the band and meeting the pay progression requirements in your terms and conditions. Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
Estimated take-home pay by band
After income tax, National Insurance and NHS Pension contributions, for a full, steady tax year with a standard tax code. Payslips can differ because of enhancements, HCAS, student loans, salary sacrifice or tax codes.
Swipe across the table to see every column →
| Band | Entry step | Top step |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £1,700 | Same |
| Band 2 | £1,700 | Same |
| Band 3 | £1,727 | £1,823 |
| Band 4 | £1,874 | £1,990 |
| Band 5 | £2,040 | £2,381 |
| Band 6 | £2,430 | £2,866 |
| Band 7 | £2,934 | £3,309 |
| Band 8a | £3,353 | £3,663 |
| Band 8b | £3,742 | £4,136 |
| Band 8c | £4,226 | £4,735 |
| Band 8d | £4,851 | £5,459 |
| Band 9 | £5,626 | £6,116 |
To try other hours or switch the pension off, use the NHS pay calculator.
NHS hourly pay rates 2026/27
Swipe across the table to see every column →
| Band | Entry | Intermediate | Top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £12.92 | — | — |
| Band 2 | £12.92 | — | — |
| Band 3 | £13.17 | — | £14.05 |
| Band 4 | £14.52 | — | £15.93 |
| Band 5 | £16.40 | £17.69 | £19.97 |
| Band 6 | £20.44 | £21.57 | £24.61 |
| Band 7 | £25.26 | £26.56 | £28.90 |
| Band 8a | £29.42 | £30.90 | £33.11 |
| Band 8b | £34.05 | £36.26 | £39.57 |
| Band 8c | £40.66 | £43.14 | £46.85 |
| Band 8d | £48.26 | £51.21 | £55.65 |
| Band 9 | £57.68 | £61.16 | £66.37 |
What these figures leave out
- High Cost Area Supplements for London and its fringe, unsocial hours payments, overtime and on-call pay.
- Pay in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is set separately and can differ.
- Doctors and dentists, whose pay is set under separate contracts.
Your pay and your NHS Pension
Members of the 2015 Scheme build up 1/54 of each year’s pensionable pay as pension, revalued while they remain members. Each band page shows the contribution rate and the pension a year at each step builds. For a retirement estimate, use the NHS pension calculator.
See also: NHS pay rise 2026/27 and 2027/28.
NHS pay questions
What are the NHS pay bands for 2026/27?
In England, Agenda for Change pay runs from £25,272 a year at Band 2 to £129,783 at the top of Band 9 from 1 April 2026. Most bands have two or three pay steps, and you become eligible for the next step after a set number of years in the band.
How much are Band 5, Band 6 and Band 7 in 2026/27?
Full time in England: Band 5 pays £32,073 to £39,043, Band 6 pays £39,959 to £48,117 and Band 7 pays £49,387 to £56,515 a year, depending on your pay step.
How much was the latest NHS pay rise?
The 2026/27 award was 3.3%, announced on 12 February 2026 and applying from 1 April 2026. The 2027/28 award has not been announced yet.
Are NHS pay bands the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Agenda for Change covers staff across the UK, but pay awards are set separately for each nation, so rates can differ. The figures on this page are for England.
What is HCAS?
High Cost Area Supplements are extra payments for staff working in and around London (inner, outer and fringe zones). They are not included in the tables on this page; NHS Employers publishes the rates.
How much do I pay into the NHS Pension?
Member contributions depend on your actual annual pensionable pay. From 1 April 2026 the tiers are up to £13,259: 5.2%; £13,260 to £28,854: 6.5%; £28,855 to £35,155: 8.3%; £35,156 to £52,778: 9.8%; £52,779 to £67,668: 10.7%; £67,669 and above: 12.5%. The rate applies to all of your pensionable pay, not just the part in each tier.