Pension Bible
NHS pay · Band 7

NHS Band 7 salary 2026/27.

In England, Band 7 pays £49,387 at entry, £51,932 after 2 years, £56,515 after a further 3 years from 1 April 2026. Full time, that is £4,116 to £4,710 a month before deductions, or roughly £2,934 to £3,309 take-home.

Roles at this band include, for example: Advanced practitioner, ward manager. Your contract and job description set your actual band.

Band 7 pay steps 2026/27

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Band 7 full-time pay, 2026/27
Pay stepAnnualMonthlyHourlyYears before next step
Entry£49,387£4,116£25.262
Intermediate£51,932£4,328£26.563
Top£56,515£4,710£28.90—

You become eligible for the next step after the years shown, if you meet the pay progression requirements in your terms and conditions.

Band 7 take-home pay

Estimated for a full, steady tax year, full time, paying into the NHS Pension, with a standard tax code. Income tax is the annual figure divided by 12.

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Band 7 estimated monthly take-home, full time, 2026/27
Pay stepGrossNHS PensionIncome taxNational InsuranceTake-home
Entry£4,116£403 (9.8%)£533£245£2,934
Intermediate£4,328£424 (9.8%)£571£254£3,078
Top£4,710£504 (10.7%)£635£262£3,309

Band 7 part-time pay

Pay is pro rata to a 37.5-hour week. The NHS Pension tier is based on your actual pensionable pay, so part-time staff can pay a lower contribution rate.

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Band 7 estimated monthly take-home by weekly hours, 2026/27
Weekly hoursEntry stepTop step
37.5 hours£2,934£3,309
30 hours£2,406£2,711
22.5 hours£1,907£2,140
15 hours£1,393£1,552

For other hours, or to compare two working patterns, use the NHS pay calculator.

Your NHS Pension at Band 7

At £49,387 you pay 9.8% of pensionable pay, and 10.7% at £56,515. Contributions reduce taxable pay but not National Insurance. In the 2015 Scheme, each year of full-time pay builds 1/54 of that pay as pension: about £915 a year at £49,387 and £1,047 at £56,515, before revaluation.

Estimate your NHS Pension at Band 7 →

Band 7 pay rise

The 2026/27 award was 3.3%, from 1 April 2026. See the NHS pay rise page for 2027/28.

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Band 7 full-time annual pay, 2025/26 vs 2026/27
Pay step2025/262026/27Change
Entry£47,810£49,387+£1,577 (+3.3%)
Intermediate£50,273£51,932+£1,659 (+3.3%)
Top£54,710£56,515+£1,805 (+3.3%)

All NHS pay bands 2026/27 →

Band 7 pay questions

How much is NHS Band 7 per hour?

Band 7 is £25.26 an hour at the entry step and £28.90 at the top step in 2026/27 (England, published rates).

What is Band 7 take-home pay per month?

Full time and paying into the NHS Pension, estimated take-home is about £2,934 a month at the entry step and £3,309 at the top step, after income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, with a standard tax code. Payslips can differ with enhancements, HCAS, student loans or salary sacrifice.

How long does it take to reach the top of Band 7?

You become eligible for each step after a set time in the band: £49,387 at entry, £51,932 after 2 years, £56,515 after a further 3 years. That is 5 years in total, provided you meet the pay progression requirements.

How much NHS Pension does Band 7 pay?

At £49,387 the member contribution rate is 9.8% of pensionable pay, rising to 10.7% at £56,515. In the 2015 Scheme, a year of full-time pay at £49,387 builds about £915 a year of pension, before revaluation.

Did Band 7 get a pay rise in 2026/27?

Yes. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took the entry step from £47,810 in 2025/26 to £49,387.