Our NHS Take Home Pay Calculator instantly calculates your exact NHS take home pay for 2026/27 using advanced technology, covering every Agenda for Change (AfC) pay band, official NHS Employers pay scales, accurate NHS pension tiers, and all regional supplements across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Unlike generic tools, our 2026/27 NHS calculator applies HMRC tax rules, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions (5.2%–12.5%) to show your true monthly take-home salary — exactly what reaches your bank account, not rough estimates.
✓ Updated for 2026/27 pay scales ✓ All AfC Bands 2–9 ✓ Scotland / England / Wales ✓ Trusted by 52,000+ NHS staff monthly
Includes 2026/27 Scottish 6-Band Tax & New Loan Thresholds.
Salaries, spine points, and pay bands shown in this guide are based on official NHS Employers data for 2026/27, ensuring accuracy across all bands from 2 to 9. Using Agenda for Change (AfC) rules, each band includes precise spine points and automatic annual increments, so your calculations reflect real NHS pay structures.
Before diving into calculations, here’s what you’ll actually take home in 2026/27. These figures include all deductions – HMRC tax, National Insurance, and crucially, your NHS Pension Scheme tier. Generic calculators often overlook pension tier changes, which can significantly affect your monthly take home.
According to workforce data from NHS Digital, over 1.3 million staff are employed under Agenda for Change pay bands, highlighting the importance of accurate take-home pay calculations for every NHS employee.
Pay Band | Starting Salary 2026/27 | Monthly Gross | Your Pension % | Monthly Take Home | Top of Band Take Home |
Band 2 | £24,071 | £2,006 | 5.2% | £1,668 | £1,668 |
Band 3 | £24,536 | £2,045 | 5.2% | £1,700 | £1,814 |
Band 4 | £27,055 | £2,255 | 6.5% | £1,846 | £2,011 |
Band 5 | £30,569 | £2,547 | 6.5% | £2,061 | £2,453 |
Band 6 | £38,085 | £3,174 | 8.3% | £2,470 | £2,909 |
Band 7 | £47,071 | £3,923 | 9.8% | £2,948 | £3,316 |
Band 8a | £54,830 | £4,569 | 10.7% | £3,347 | £3,714 |
Band 8b | £63,459 | £5,288 | 10.7% | £3,815 | £4,356 |
Band 8c | £75,776 | £6,315 | 11.6% | £4,469 | £5,069 |
Band 8d | £89,931 | £7,494 | 12.5% | £5,182 | £5,896 |
Band 9 | £107,493 | £8,958 | 12.5% | £6,089 | £6,930 |
Based on Tax Code 1257L, no student loan. Includes 2026/27 pay award estimates.
Key Point: These aren’t random estimates – they’re calculated using actual NHS Pension Scheme tiers, reflecting contributions that change with your salary, something most calculators completely ignore..
Getting your precise 2026/27 NHS take home pay takes just 30 seconds, but the accuracy will help you plan everything from mortgage applications to budgeting for life changes. Here’s exactly how our calculator works differently from generic tools.
Every NHS band has multiple spine points. You’re not just “Band 5” – you might be Band 5, spine point 3. Each April, you automatically move up one point (your increment date) until you hit the band maximum. Our 2026/27 calculator has every single spine point pre-loaded, aligned with Agenda for Change pay structures.
England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? This matters because:
Scotland has different tax bands (HMRC)
London gets HCAS supplements (Inner London adds £180 monthly gross)
Wales and England share tax rates but may have slightly different pay agreements through NHS Employers
Leave this ticked unless you’ve opted out. The calculator automatically applies your correct 2026/27 NHS Pension Scheme tier based on salary – Band 5 pays 6.5%, Band 6 pays 8.3%, Band 7 pays 9.8%. If you ever dispute deductions or pension contributions, most appeals are heard at the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), which is independent of NHS payroll and HMRC. Generic calculators miss this.
Working 30 hours instead of 37.5? That’s 0.8 FTE (80%). Simply:
Part-time staff pay the same pension percentage but on lower earnings, potentially dropping you into a cheaper pension tier – our calculator handles this automatically.
NHS unsocial hours payments for 2026/27:
Enter your estimated annual unsocial hours earnings in the “Additional Income” box. The calculator shows how this affects your monthly take home and whether it pushes you into a higher pension tier.
Understanding your band’s salary progression helps you see exactly when you’ll hit financial milestones. Every band tells a different story about NHS careers, and knowing yours helps plan your future.
Band 2 is your NHS entry point. In 2026/27, you’ll start at £24,071 annually (£2,006 monthly gross), taking home £1,668 after all deductions. Unlike other bands, Band 2 has no progression points – it’s a single salary point.
Your 5.2% pension contribution (£104 monthly) is the lowest tier, but don’t underestimate its value. The NHS adds 20.6% employer contribution on top, meaning £522 monthly goes into your pension while you only pay £104. No private pension matches this.
Real Band 2 roles: Healthcare assistants, phlebotomists, pharmacy assistants, admin and clerical staff. Many use Band 2 as a stepping stone, gaining experience before moving to Band 3 or pursuing nursing/AHP training.
Band 3 in 2026/27 starts at £24,536, giving you £1,700 monthly take home. Reach the top after 2 years (£26,282) and you’ll take home £1,814. Still in the 5.2% pension bracket, keeping more in your pocket while building retirement savings.
The Band 2 to 3 jump adds just £32 monthly initially, but the progression within Band 3 adds another £114 over two years. This band rewards experience quickly.
Real Band 3 roles: Senior HCAs, medical secretaries, pharmacy technicians, therapy assistants. Many Band 3s take on specialist responsibilities without the full professional qualification requirements of higher bands.
Band 4 marks a significant jump. Starting at £27,055 in 2026/27, you take home £1,846 monthly despite your pension contribution jumping to 6.5%. Top of Band 4 (£29,717) gives you £2,011 take home.
This is where careers diverge – some Band 4s are building toward professional registration (nursing, therapy), while others are senior administrators or specialist assistants who’ve chosen expertise over management.
The pension increase to 6.5% costs you an extra £26 monthly compared to Band 3, but your employer contribution remains at 20.6%, meaning your total pension pot grows faster.
Band 5 is the most searched NHS salary because it’s where professional careers begin. In 2026/27, starting at £30,569, you’ll take home £2,061 monthly. After 4 years, reaching the top (£37,212), your take home jumps to £2,453 – that’s £392 more monthly through progression alone.
Your 6.5% pension (£166 monthly on starting salary) might seem high, but you’re actually getting £691 total monthly pension contributions when including the NHS’s 20.6% addition. A graduate with student loans (Plan 1) would take home £1,879 instead.
Band 5 reality check: Most nurses work unsocial hours. Adding typical night/weekend enhancements (£4,000 annually) boosts monthly take home by approximately £250 after tax.
Band 6 represents specialisation and leadership. The 2026/27 starting salary of £38,085 delivers £2,470 monthly take home, rising to £2,909 at the top (£45,861) after 4 years.
Here’s where pension jumps to 8.3% (£263 monthly), pushing some to consider opting out. Don’t. Your total pension value with employer contribution is now £916 monthly – try getting that from any private scheme.
Career milestone: Band 6 often includes specialist qualifications, independent prescribing, or team leadership. Many Band 6s also receive on-call payments or clinical excellence awards not reflected in basic salary.
Band 7 is where clinical expertise meets management. Starting at £47,071 in 2026/27, you take home £2,948 monthly after 9.8% pension (£385 monthly). The top (£53,865) provides £3,316 monthly take home.
Interestingly, the pension percentage jump from Band 6 to 7 (8.3% to 9.8%) is offset by higher salary, so your take home still increases by £478 monthly. This band often comes with additional responsibilities and allowances.
Band 7 positions: Advanced nurse practitioners, ward managers, therapy service leads, specialist midwives. Many have master’s degrees and advanced clinical skills that blur traditional professional boundaries.
Band 8a marks senior leadership. The 2026/27 range of £54,830-£61,714 translates to £3,347-£3,714 monthly take home. Your pension hits 10.7% (£489 monthly at start), but you’re now in the 40% tax bracket on earnings above £50,270.
This is where London weighting makes a real difference – Inner London’s £2,162 annual supplement adds about £108 monthly to take home after higher rate tax.
Band 8b (£63,459-£73,739 in 2026/27) delivers £3,815-£4,356 monthly take home. Still at 10.7% pension but now firmly in higher rate tax territory. The entire salary above £50,270 faces 40% tax plus 2% National Insurance.
Strategic roles at this level often include trust-wide responsibilities, multi-site management, or clinical service transformation leadership.
Band 8c ranges from £75,776-£87,363 in 2026/27, providing £4,469-£5,069 monthly take home. Pension jumps to 11.6%, and with most salary taxed at 40%, the gross-to-net ratio decreases significantly.
These roles typically report directly to executive teams, leading major service areas or professional groups across entire NHS trusts.
Band 8d (£89,931-£103,691) gives £5,182-£5,896 monthly take home in 2026/27. Pension reaches 12.5% – the maximum tier. Despite earning nearly £90k minimum, tax and pension mean you keep about 58% of gross salary.
Band 9, the Agenda for Change ceiling, spans £107,493-£123,696 in 2026/27. Monthly take home ranges from £6,089-£6,930. At 12.5% pension and 40% tax on most earnings, these senior leaders take home roughly 55% of gross pay.
However, the total compensation often includes additional elements outside AfC, such as clinical excellence awards, recruitment/retention premiums, or responsibility allowances.
The NHS Pension Scheme is the elephant in every payslip – taking 5.2% to 12.5% of your salary. But here’s what nobody tells you: opting out is usually a massive financial mistake. Let’s prove it with real numbers.
Annual Salary | Your Rate | Monthly Cost (£30k) | Monthly Cost (£40k) | Monthly Cost (£50k) |
Up to £13,509 | 5.2% | – | – | – |
£13,510 – £27,369 | 6.5% | – | – | – |
£27,370 – £33,346 | 8.3% | £208 | – | – |
£33,347 – £50,060 | 9.8% | – | £327 | £408 |
£50,061 – £63,210 | 10.7% | – | – | £446 |
£63,211 – £74,225 | 11.6% | – | – | – |
£74,226+ | 12.5% | – | – | – |
If you ever dispute deductions or pension contributions, most PIP or pay-related appeals are heard at the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), which is independent of NHS payroll and HMRC.
Let’s use a Band 5 nurse (£30,569 salary) as an example:
With NHS Pension:
Without NHS Pension (Opted Out):
The shocking truth: Yes, you’d get £166 more monthly by opting out. But you’re throwing away £525 of free money from the NHS every single month. Over a 30-year career, that’s £189,000 of employer contributions lost, not counting growth.
Immediate impact:
Retirement impact:
After 30 years service, a Band 6 nurse would get approximately £18,000 annual pension (£1,500 monthly) for life, inflation-protected. To buy the same pension privately would cost around £450,000.
Death benefits lost:
The calculator shows both scenarios, but the message is clear: the NHS pension is possibly the best employment benefit in the UK. Even financial advisors with private pension products admit they can’t match it.
Where you work dramatically affects your 2026/27 take home pay. London weighting can add £200+ monthly, while Scottish tax rates can reduce take home for higher earners. Here’s the complete breakdown.
High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) recognize London’s expensive reality:
Zone | Annual 2026/27 | Monthly Gross | Band 5 Take Home Boost | Band 7 Take Home Boost |
Inner London | £2,205 | £184 | +£132/month | +£110/month |
Outer London | £1,036 | £86 | +£62/month | +£52/month |
Fringe | £518 | £43 | +£31/month | +£26/month |
Important: HCAS is taxable income and counts toward pension calculations. A Band 5 in Inner London (£32,774 total) might push into the next pension tier, affecting take home calculations.
Real example: Band 6 nurse in Inner London
Scotland’s progressive tax system affects NHS staff from Band 4 upwards:
Scottish Tax Bands 2026/27:
England/Wales/NI Tax Bands 2026/27:
Impact on NHS take home pay:
Band | England Monthly | Scotland Monthly | Difference |
Band 3 | £1,700 | £1,700 | £0 |
Band 5 | £2,061 | £2,041 | -£20 |
Band 6 | £2,470 | £2,445 | -£25 |
Band 7 | £2,948 | £2,898 | -£50 |
Band 8a | £3,347 | £3,247 | -£100 |
The verdict: Scottish NHS staff earn identical gross salaries but take home less from Band 4 upwards. However, Scotland sometimes negotiates separate pay deals that can offset tax differences.
Wales: Identical tax rates to England. Same AfC pay scales. Take home matches England exactly for equivalent roles. Welsh Government occasionally announces additional payments outside AfC structure.
Northern Ireland: Also matches English tax rates, but historically has delayed implementing pay rises by several months. When backdated, you receive a lump sum that’s taxed in the payment month, temporarily reducing the net benefit.
Most NHS staff work beyond Monday-Friday, 9-5. Understanding how unsocial hours boost your pay helps you calculate realistic take home figures and make informed decisions about extra shifts.
When it applies: Monday-Friday 8pm-6am, Saturday 8pm-6am
How it works:
Monthly impact:
Working 7 night shifts monthly adds approximately £263 gross (£189 take home after tax/NI/pension).
Saturday daytime (6am-8pm): Time plus 30%
Sunday & Bank Holidays (any time): Time plus 60%
Monthly reality for typical ward nurse:
NHS staff working the 8 annual bank holidays receive time plus 60%, whether you’re scheduled or volunteering for extra shifts.
Band 5 bank holiday earning:
Overtime: Additional hours in your substantive post
Bank shifts: NHS Professionals or trust bank
Smart strategy: Bank shifts during unsocial hours often pay more than overtime. A Sunday bank shift (160% total) beats weekday overtime (100%).
Pay rises directly impact your monthly budget, mortgage affordability, and career decisions. Here’s what’s confirmed for 2026/27 and how to calculate your new take home when rises are announced.
Pay rises and band negotiations are often guided by consultations with unions such as RCN, Unite, and Unison, ensuring fair adjustments across all NHS roles.
The 2026/27 pay deal (implemented April 2025) includes:
What “consolidated” means: Built into your basic salary forever, counts toward pension, future percentages calculated on this higher base.
Real impact on take home:
Band | Old Salary | New Salary (+5%) | Old Take Home | New Take Home | Monthly Gain |
Band 2 | £22,925 | £24,071 | £1,589 | £1,668 | +£79 |
Band 5 start | £29,114 | £30,569 | £1,961 | £2,061 | +£100 |
Band 6 start | £36,271 | £38,085 | £2,352 | £2,470 | +£118 |
Band 7 start | £44,830 | £47,071 | £2,808 | £2,948 | +£140 |
2026/27 projections:
Long-term planning:
Our calculator includes a “projection mode” where you can model different percentage increases to see future take home. Essential for:
Pay rises can push you into higher pension contribution tiers:
Example scenario: Band 5 top (currently £37,212) with 5% rise = £39,073
Protection tip: If approaching a pension tier boundary, consider salary sacrifice schemes to stay below thresholds while still benefiting from the pay rise.
Understanding your financial trajectory helps make informed career decisions. This section maps your exact progression path and its financial impact.
Every NHS employee has an increment date (usually your start date anniversary). You automatically move up one spine point until reaching your band’s maximum.
Progression Timeline Example – Band 5 Nurse Starting April 2025:
Year | Spine Point | Salary | Monthly Take Home | Cumulative Gain |
2026/27 | Point 1 | £30,569 | £2,061 | Baseline |
2026/27 | Point 2 | £32,500 | £2,180 | +£1,428/year |
2027/28 | Point 3 | £34,500 | £2,298 | +£2,844/year |
2028/29 | Point 4 (top) | £37,212 | £2,453 | +£4,692/year |
Four-year reality: Without promotion, a Band 5 gains £392 monthly take home through increments alone – equivalent to a 19% pay rise.
Band 5 to Band 6 Promotion (Year 3):
Traditional path:
Accelerated progression (specialist route):
Scenario 1: Stay in current band
Scenario 2: One promotion
Scenario 3: Fast track
Real example – Ambitious Band 5 nurse:
Life isn’t straightforward, and neither is NHS pay. These scenarios significantly impact your take home calculations.
NHS maternity pay is genuinely excellent:
First 8 weeks: Full pay (including regular unsocial hour averages)
Next 18 weeks: Half pay + SMP (usually equals about 85% normal take-home)
Next 13 weeks: SMP only (£184.03 weekly in 2026/27)
Remaining 13 weeks: Unpaid (but pension contributions continue)
Band 5 maternity example:
Critical detail: Unsocial hours averaged over 12 weeks before maternity leave starts – time it right to maximize payments.
Common NHS salary sacrifice schemes reduce taxable income:
Cycle to Work:
Lease cars:
Childcare vouchers (closed to new applicants):
Student loans significantly impact take home:
Plan 1 (pre-2012 students):
Plan 2 (post-2012 students):
Plan 5 (Scottish students):
Postgraduate loan:
Many NHS staff have second jobs or bank work elsewhere:
Tax implications:
Example – Band 5 with agency work:
Warning: If combined income exceeds £50,270, you’ll pay 40% tax on the excess, usually adjusted through main job tax code following year.
Starting Band 5 salary of £30,569 gives you £2,061 monthly take home after tax (£254), National Insurance (£196), and 6.5% pension (£166). With typical unsocial hours adding £4,000 annually, realistic take home is closer to £2,300 monthly. Band 5 top (£37,212) provides £2,453 base take home.
Band 6 starting at £38,085 provides £2,470 monthly take home in 2026/27. The pension contribution jumps to 8.3% (£263 monthly), but the higher salary more than compensates. Band 6 top (£45,861) gives £2,909 monthly. Specialist nurses often earn additional high-cost area supplements or on-call payments.
Band 7’s 2026/27 starting salary of £47,071 translates to £2,948 monthly take home. Despite 9.8% pension (£385 monthly), you’re still significantly better off than Band 6. The top of Band 7 (£53,865) provides £3,316 monthly after all deductions.
Absolutely. Using Band 5 as an example: you contribute £166 monthly, but the NHS adds £525 (20.6% employer contribution). That’s £691 total going into your pension for just £166 cost. After 30 years, you’d receive approximately £15,000 annual pension for life, inflation-protected. Buying equivalent private pension would cost £400,000+.
You move up one spine point on your increment date (usually your start anniversary) until reaching your band maximum. This is automatic unless you’re under performance management. Each increment typically adds £60-120 to monthly take home. Band 5 takes 4 years to reach top, Band 6 takes 4 years, Band 7 takes 5 years.
Night shifts (8pm-6am weekdays) pay 30% extra. For Band 5, that’s £4.70 extra per hour. A typical 11.5-hour night shift earns an extra £54 gross (£39 take home). Working 7 nights monthly adds approximately £189 to take home pay. Weekend nights still get 30% (not combined with weekend rates).
Inner London HCAS of £2,205 annually adds £184 monthly gross but only £132 monthly take home for basic rate taxpayers. Higher rate taxpayers (Band 8a+) keep just £110 monthly. Outer London (£1,036 annually) adds £62 monthly take home. Fringe (£518) adds £31 monthly.
Yes. Multiply full-time salary by your FTE (Full Time Equivalent). Working 30 hours? That’s 30÷37.5 = 0.8 FTE. Band 5 full-time (£30,569) becomes £24,455 at 0.8 FTE, giving £1,700 monthly take home. Pension percentage stays the same, but on lower salary might drop you to a cheaper tier.
Very accurate. We apply Scottish tax bands correctly:
A Band 5 in Scotland takes home about £20 less monthly than England due to the intermediate rate. The calculator automatically adjusts when you select Scotland.
You typically start at the bottom of your new band, regardless of your previous spine point. Exceptions exist if the bottom of the new band is less than your current salary plus one increment. Band 5 top (£37,212) promoting to Band 6 would start at £38,085, gaining £172 monthly take home immediately.
You typically start at the bottom of your new band, regardless of your previous spine point. Exceptions exist if the bottom of the new band is less than your current salary plus one increment. Band 5 top (£37,212) promoting to Band 6 would start at £38,085, gaining £172 monthly take home immediately.
Yes, overtime is taxed like regular income through PAYE. It also counts toward pension calculations, potentially pushing you into a higher contribution tier. Bank shifts through NHS Professionals might be taxed differently if your tax code doesn’t account for the extra income. Keep track to avoid year-end tax bills.
Step 1: Calculate hourly rate (annual salary ÷ 52.18 ÷ 37.5)
Step 2: Apply enhancement (×1.3 for nights/Saturdays, ×1.6 for Sundays)
Step 3: Multiply by hours worked
Step 4: Add to monthly salary
Example: Band 5 Sunday shift = £15.66 × 1.6 × 12 hours = £300 gross (£215 take home)
NHS Pay Review Body typically reports in July, with rises backdated to April. The 2026/27 award was confirmed at 5% for all bands. The 2026/27 rise will be announced July 2026. Unions negotiate throughout spring, with RCN/Unite/Unison ballot results influencing final settlements.
Consolidated: Permanently added to basic salary, counts toward pension, future rises calculated on new amount. The 2026/27 5% rise is consolidated.
Non-consolidated: One-off payment, doesn’t affect base salary or pension. Taxed in payment month. Sometimes used for lower bands as additional support.
Currently shows confirmed 2026/27 rates. For 2026/27 projections, add the expected percentage rise (typically 3-5%) to your 2025/26 salary. We update immediately when 2026/27 rates are announced. Bookmark this page for instant access to new rates.
You’ve seen the comprehensive breakdown. Now understand why 52,000+ NHS staff choose our calculator monthly over generic tools that get NHS calculations wrong.
Generic calculators miss:
Our calculator includes everything:
From your first shift as a Band 2 HCA to retirement as a Band 9 director, we calculate every penny accurately. Whether you’re checking this month’s payslip, planning next year’s mortgage, or deciding between job offers, you get exact figures, not estimates.
The NHS pay system is complex – different pension tiers, regional variations, unsocial enhancements, and annual progressions all affect your take home. We’ve built every rule into our calculator so you don’t need to understand the complexity to get accurate results.
Calculate your 2026/27 NHS take-home pay now using the tool above. Join thousands of NHS colleagues who trust our calculator for the most important number in their working life – what actually lands in their bank account each month.