The NHS Band 3 salary for 2025/26 ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 in England, following the confirmed 3.6% pay award for all Agenda for Change staff. Unlike Band 2’s flat rate structure, Band 3 offers pay progression—staff advance from the entry level to the top of the band after two years of satisfactory service, gaining an extra £1,661 annually.
Band 3 hourly rates now range from £12.75 to £13.60, covering senior healthcare assistants, clinical support workers, phlebotomists, therapy assistants, and dental nurses. This band sits at the heart of frontline NHS care, representing a clear step up from Band 2 with increased clinical responsibilities and specialist support roles.
Explore All NHS Pay Bands 2025/26 → NHS Pay Bands 2025/26
Whether you’re a Band 2 worker considering progression, a senior HCA checking your current salary, or exploring NHS career pathways, this guide provides comprehensive pay information for the 2025/26 financial year.
England’s pay scales are effective from 1 April 2025. Data sourced from NHS Employers’ official publications.
Calculate Your Exact Band 3 Take-Home Pay
NHS Band 3 Salary 2025/26 (England)
The table below shows the official Agenda for Change pay scales for Band 3 in England, effective from 1 April 2025. These figures were published by NHS Employers following the government’s announcement on the 2025/26 pay award.
Band 3 Pay Scale (NHS Employers Official)
| Pay Step | Years | Annual Salary | Monthly Gross | Weekly Gross | Hourly Rate |
| Entry | 0-2 | £24,937 | £2,078.08 | £479.56 | £12.75 |
| Top | 2+ | £26,598 | £2,216.50 | £511.50 | £13.60 |
Key points about Band 3 pay structure:
- Band 3 has two pay points with progression after 2 years
- Progression worth +£1,661 annually (+£138.42/month)
- Monthly = annual ÷ 12
- Hourly rates based on 1,957.5 contracted hours per year
- Subject to local appraisal policies and Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements
Pay progression changed in the 2018 NHS pay deal from spine points to years of experience at each band to prevent someone with lower responsibility from being paid more than someone with higher responsibility.
Read About: NHS Band 5 Pay 2025/26
Band 3 Hourly Rate 2025/26
Understanding your hourly rate is essential for calculating overtime payments, bank shift earnings and comparing NHS wages with agency rates.
Base Hourly Rates (NHS Employers Official)
| Pay Step | Base Hourly Rate |
| Entry | £12.75 |
| Top | £13.60 |
Band 3 Overtime Rates (AfC Terms & Conditions)
| Pay Step | Base Hourly | Overtime 1.5× | Bank Holiday 2× |
| Entry | £12.75 | £19.13 | £25.50 |
| Top | £13.60 | £20.40 | £27.20 |
Band 3 Unsocial Hours Rates (NHS Employers Official)
| Time Period | Enhancement | Entry Hourly | Top Hourly |
| Weekday (standard) | Base rate | £12.75 | £13.60 |
| Saturday & weekday nights (8 pm-6 am) | Time plus 35% | £17.21 | £18.36 |
| Sundays & Public Holidays | Time plus 69% | £21.55 | £22.98 |
Unsocial Hours Comparison by Band
| Band | Sat/Nights Enhancement | Sundays/BH Enhancement |
| Band 2 | Time plus 41% | Time plus 83% |
| Band 3 | Time plus 35% | Time plus 69% |
| Bands 4-9 | Time plus 30% | Time plus 60% |
Important: Band 3 receives lower enhancement rates than Band 2 (35%/69% vs 41%/83%). This means taking promotion from Band 2 to Band 3 may result in lower unsocial hours pay despite a higher base salary—a factor to consider when planning career progression.
Read About: NHS Band 7 Pay 2025/26
Band 3 Take-Home Pay After Tax 2025/26
Your gross salary differs significantly from what you actually receive each month. Take-home pay depends on your tax code, pension contribution tier, and any student loan repayments.
Band 3 Take-Home Pay (Full-Time 37.5 hrs/week)
| Element | Entry Step | Top Step |
| Gross Annual | £24,937 | £26,598 |
| Gross Monthly | £2,078.08 | £2,216.50 |
| NHS Pension (6.5%) | -£135.08 | -£144.07 |
| Income Tax | -£179.10 | -£204.99 |
| National Insurance | -£82.41 | -£93.48 |
| Net Take-Home | £1,681.50 | £1,773.96 |
Assumptions: Tax code 1257L, NHS Pension 6.5% tier (correct for Band 3 salaries £13,260-£27,797), no student loan, HMRC 2025/26 thresholds (Personal Allowance £12,570, NI primary threshold £1,048/month, NI main employee rate 8%)
Read our complete Band 6 Pay Guide → NHS Band 6 Pay 2025/26
Band 3 Net Pay Summary
| Element | Entry | Top |
| Net Annual | ~£20,178 | ~£21,288 |
| Net Monthly | £1,681.50 | £1,773.96 |
| Net Weekly | ~£388 | ~£409 |
| Net Hourly | ~£10.34 | ~£10.90 |
Additional Take-Home Scenarios
With Student Loan (Plan 2):
- Entry net: ~£1,600/month
- Top net: ~£1,690/month
Inner London (with HCAS):
- Entry gross: £30,546/year (NHS Employers official)
- Entry net: ~£2,050/month
Part-Time (20 hours/week):
- Entry gross: £13,300/year
- Entry net: ~£1,031/month
Read our complete Band 2 Pay Guide → NHS Band 2 Pay 2025/26
Band 3 Monthly Pay Breakdown 2025/26
Many NHS staff prefer to understand their earnings in monthly terms for budgeting and financial planning.
| Element | Entry Step | Top Step |
| Gross Monthly | £2,078.08 | £2,216.50 |
| After Pension | £1,943.00 | £2,072.43 |
| After Tax | £1,763.90 | £1,867.44 |
| Net Monthly | £1,681.50 | £1,773.96 |
Progression from entry to top adds £92.46 net per month—worth £1,110 extra per year in take-home pay.
Band 3 Pay Rise 2025/26: How Much Did Salary Increase?
The government confirmed an above-inflation pay rise of 3.6% for all Agenda for Change staff, effective from 1 April 2025. As stated by the Secretary of State, this is “putting real money in your pockets despite the difficult financial situation.”
Band 3 Pay Comparison: 2024/25 vs 2025/26
| Pay Step | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | Annual Increase | Monthly Increase |
| Entry | £24,071 | £24,937 | +£866 | +£72 |
| Top | £25,674 | £26,598 | +£924 | +£77 |
Key points about the 2025/26 pay award:
- 3.6% consolidated increase for all Agenda for Change staff
- Effective from 1 April 2025
- Backdated payments processed for staff employed at the start of the financial year
- Recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB)
- Accepted by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- The previous year saw 5.5% increase (2024/25)
Back Pay Information:
Staff employed on 1 April 2025 received backdated payments. Back pay was typically processed within 2-3 months of announcement. Check your payslip for “arrears” or “back pay” line items.
Band 3 Pay Progression: How Long to Reach the Top of the Band?
Understanding incremental pay progression helps you plan your career development and forecast future earnings.
Band 3 Progression Timeline (NHS Employers Official)
| Stage | Pay Step | Years | Annual Salary | Increase |
| Start | Entry | 0 | £24,937 | — |
| Top | Top | 2+ years | £26,598 | +£1,661 |
How progression works:
- Band 3 has two pay points (entry → top)
- Progression time: 2 years to reach the top
- Subject to local appraisal policies
- Must demonstrate competency and complete the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements
- Unlike Band 2 (flat rate), Band 3 rewards experience with pay progression
Requirements for Progression:
- Satisfactory annual appraisal (PDR)
- Completion of statutory and mandatory training
- Meeting KSF competencies
- No ongoing disciplinary procedures
Band 3 Pay by Region: England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Salaries differ across the four UK nations due to devolved health services and separate pay negotiations.
Band 3 Regional Salary Comparison
| Region | Entry Salary | Top Salary | Entry Hourly | Top Hourly | Pay Status |
| England | £24,937 | £26,598 | £12.75 | £13.60 | ✅ 3.6% 2025/26 |
| Scotland | £28,011 | £30,230 | £14.52 | £15.67 | ✅ 4.25% 2025/26 |
| Wales | £24,433* | £26,060* | £12.50* | £13.33* | ⏳ Pending |
| Northern Ireland | £24,071* | £25,674* | £12.35* | £13.17* | ⏳ Pending |
*Wales and Northern Ireland figures are 2024/25 rates. No formal 2025/26 pay offer had been announced at the time of publication.
Key Regional Differences
NHS Scotland pays significantly more:
- Entry: £28,011 (£14.52/hour) — £3,074 more than England
- Top: £30,230 (£15.67/hour) — £3,632 more than England
- Scotland’s Band 3 top (£30,230) exceeds England’s Band 4 entry (£27,485)
- Scottish staff received 4.25% increase for 2025/26
- Scotland also confirmed 3.75% for 2026/27 as part of a two-year deal
England:
- 3.6% pay award confirmed and implemented
- Pay scales published by NHS Employers
- Backdated to 1 April 2025
Wales & Northern Ireland:
- No formal 2025/26 pay offer announced at the time of publication
- Expected to follow England’s settlement
- Figures shown are 2024/25 rates
Band 3 London Weighting (High Cost Area Supplement)
NHS staff working in London and surrounding areas receive High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS), also known as London weighting, to reflect higher living costs.
HCAS Supplement Rates 2025/26
| Zone | Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
| Inner London | 20% of basic salary | £5,414 | £8,172 |
| Outer London | 15% of basic salary | £4,551 | £5,735 |
| Fringe | 5% of basic salary | £1,258 | £2,122 |
Band 3 London Pay (NHS Employers Official – HCAS Inclusive)
| Zone | Band 3 Entry Annual | Band 3 Entry Hourly | Band 3 Top Annual | Band 3 Top Hourly |
| Inner London | £30,546 | £15.62 | £32,207 | £16.47 |
| Outer London | ~£29,651 | ~£15.16 | ~£31,312 | ~£16.01 |
| Fringe | £26,240 | £13.42 | £27,928 | £14.28 |
Inner London Band 3 entry (£30,546) exceeds England’s Band 4 entry (£27,485) — making London roles financially attractive despite higher living costs.
Annual rate inclusive of HCAS is the higher value of the two calculations.
NHS Pension Contributions for Band 3 Staff
Your NHS pension contribution is deducted automatically from your gross salary based on your pensionable earnings tier.
Band 3 Pension Contribution
| Element | Entry Step | Top Step |
| Salary | £24,937 | £26,598 |
| Contribution Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| Monthly Deduction | £135.08 | £144.07 |
| Annual Deduction | £1,621 | £1,729 |
NHS Pension Member Contribution Tiers 2025/26
| Pensionable Pay Range | Rate |
| Up to £13,259 | 5.2% |
| £13,260 – £27,797 | 6.5% ← Band 3 |
| £27,798 – £33,868 | 8.3% |
| £33,869 – £50,845 | 9.8% |
Both Band 3 pay points fall into the 6.5% contribution tier. NHS Pension provides a defined benefit pension based on career average earnings, with employer contributions of approximately 20.6%.
Calculate Your NHS Pension Contributions →
What Jobs Are NHS Band 3?
Band 3 represents a clear step up from Band 2, with increased clinical responsibilities and specialist support roles.
Clinical Support Roles
- Senior Healthcare Assistant (Senior HCA)
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Clinical Support Worker (CSW)
- Nursing Assistant
- Maternity Support Worker
- Emergency Care Assistant
Specialist Clinical Roles
- Phlebotomist
- Therapy Assistant (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy)
- Rehabilitation Assistant
- Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA)
Dental Roles
- Dental Nurse (Band 3)
- Dental Receptionist
- Orthodontic Therapist Assistant
Technical & Administrative Roles
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Clinical Coding Officer
- Senior Administrative Worker
- Senior Receptionist
Band 3 Entry Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
| Qualifications | Level 3 Diploma or equivalent preferred |
| Experience | Previous Band 2 experience is desirable |
| Skills | Clinical competencies beyond personal care |
| Training | Care Certificate completion |
| Dental Specific | GDC registration for dental nurses |
Band 3 Bank Staff Pay
NHS Bank staff typically receive the same base hourly rate as permanent staff.
Band 3 Bank Staff Hourly Rates
| Element | Entry | Top |
| Base Hourly | £12.75 | £13.60 |
| With 12.07% Holiday Pay | ~£14.29 | ~£15.24 |
| Sat/Nights (+35%) | £17.21 | £18.36 |
| Sundays/BH (+69%) | £21.55 | £22.98 |
Bank workers receive holiday pay added to their hourly rate, but typically don’t receive automatic pension enrolment. Check local Trust Bank rates as they may vary.
Band 2 vs Band 3: What’s the Difference?
Salary Comparison (England 2025/26)
| Element | Band 2 | Band 3 (Entry) | Band 3 (Top) |
| Annual Salary | £24,465 | £24,937 | £26,598 |
| Hourly Rate | £12.51 | £12.75 | £13.60 |
| Pay Progression | ❌ No (flat rate) | ✅ Yes | — |
| Difference from Band 2 | — | +£472 | +£2,133 |
Unsocial Hours Comparison (Critical)
| Element | Band 2 | Band 3 | Difference |
| Sat/Nights Enhancement | +41% | +35% | Band 2 higher |
| Sundays/BH Enhancement | +83% | +69% | Band 2 higher |
| Entry Sunday Rate | £22.89 | £21.55 | Band 2 +£1.34/hr |
Key Differences:
- Band 2 is a flat rate — no progression regardless of service
- Band 3 has progression — +£1,661 after 2 years
- Band 3 entry is only £472 more than Band 2
- Critical: Band 3 receives LOWER unsocial hours rates than Band 2
The Unsocial Hours Disincentive:
For staff working regular nights and weekends, promotion from Band 2 to Band 3 may result in less total pay initially due to lower enhancement rates. Consider your shift pattern before accepting promotion.
Clinical Duties Differentiation
| Band 2 Duties | Band 3 Duties |
| Personal care (washing, dressing) | Clinical observations |
| Meal assistance | Blood pressure monitoring |
| Basic patient support | Blood glucose readings |
| Mobility assistance | Wound care and dressings |
| Catheter care | |
| Venepuncture (some trusts) |
How to Progress from Band 3 to Band 4
Career Progression Pathway
| Band | Typical Role | Salary (England) | Requirements |
| Band 3 | Senior HCA, CSW, Dental Nurse | £24,937-£26,598 | Level 3 + experience |
| Band 4 | Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner | £27,485-£30,162 | Level 5 qualification |
| Band 5 | Registered Nurse, AHP | £31,049-£37,796 | Degree + registration |
Pathways to Band 4:
- Nursing Associate Apprenticeship — 2-year Level 5 programme leading to NMC registration
- Assistant Practitioner Route — Foundation degree or equivalent
- Apply for Band 4 Vacancies — Internal or external opportunities
- Dental Career Progression — Dental Therapist, Hygienist qualifications
Band 4 entry (£27,485) is £887 more than Band 3 top (£26,598).
Band 3 Part-Time Pay: Pro-Rata Calculations
Band 3 Part-Time Examples (Entry Step £24,937)
| Hours per Week | FTE | Annual Pro-Rata | Monthly Gross | Net Monthly |
| 37.5 (full-time) | 1.0 | £24,937 | £2,078.08 | £1,681.50 |
| 30 hours | 0.8 | £19,950 | £1,662.46 | ~£1,400 |
| 22.5 hours | 0.6 | £14,962 | £1,246.85 | ~£1,100 |
| 20 hours | 0.53 | £13,300 | £1,108.31 | ~£1,031 |
| 18.75 hours | 0.5 | £12,469 | £1,039.04 | ~£970 |
Part-time salary is calculated pro rata. The hourly rate remains the same, regardless of the number of hours worked (£12.75 entry, £13.60 top).
Band 3 Annual Leave Entitlement
NHS Band 3 staff receive generous annual leave under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions.
Band 3 Annual Leave (Full-Time)
| Length of Service | Annual Leave | Bank Holidays | Total Days |
| 0-5 years | 27 days | 8 days | 35 days |
| 5-10 years | 29 days | 8 days | 37 days |
| 10+ years | 33 days | 8 days | 41 days |
Pro-rata for part-time staff. Bank holidays worked are paid at an enhanced rate (+69%) or given as TOIL.
Band 3 Total Earnings Potential 2025/26
Band 3 Earnings Scenarios
| Scenario | Estimated Annual |
| Entry (base only) | £24,937 |
| Top (base only) | £26,598 |
| Entry + regular unsocial hours | ~£29,000-£32,000 |
| Top + regular unsocial hours | ~£31,000-£35,000 |
| Inner London entry (base + HCAS) | £30,546 |
| Inner London top + unsocial hours | ~£36,000-£40,000 |
| Scotland top + unsocial hours | ~£35,000-£40,000 |
Regular nights/weekends can add £4,000-£8,000+ per year to base salary.
NHS Band 3 Benefits & Perks
| Benefit | Details |
| NHS Pension Scheme | 6.5% employee contribution, ~20.6% employer contribution |
| Annual Leave | 27-33 days plus 8 bank holidays |
| Overtime | Time-and-a-half (1.5×), double time on bank holidays (2×) |
| Unsocial Hours | +35% Sat/nights, +69% Sundays/BH |
| Training & Development | Access to apprenticeship programmes |
| Sick Pay | Occupational sick pay scheme |
| Maternity/Paternity | Enhanced pay above the statutory minimum |
| NHS Discounts | Access to exclusive staff discounts |
2026/27 Pay Round: What to Expect
- Scotland confirmed: 3.75% for 2026/27 (part of two-year deal)
- England: Awaiting NHS Pay Review Body recommendations
- NHS Staff Council: Mandate for funded pay structure changes
- Potential review of Band 2/3 unsocial hours rate anomaly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Band 3 NHS salary in 2025/26?
Band 3 NHS salary ranges from £24,937 (entry) to £26,598 (top) in England for 2025/26. Staff progress from entry to top after 2 years of satisfactory service, gaining an extra £1,661 annually.
What is the Band 3 NHS hourly rate?
Band 3 hourly rate is £12.75 at entry and £13.60 at the top of the band. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half (£19.13-£20.40) and double time on bank holidays (£25.50-£27.20).
What is Band 3’s take-home pay after tax?
Band 3 entry take-home pay is £1,681.50 per month, and top of band is £1,773.96 per month after pension (6.5%), tax and National Insurance deductions.
What is the top of Band 3 salary?
The top of Band 3 is £26,598 per year (£13.60/hour) in England. You reach the top step after 2 years of satisfactory service.
How long to reach the top of Band 3?
It takes 2 years to reach the top of Band 3, subject to satisfactory appraisal and meeting Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements.
How much did Band 3 pay rise in 2025/26?
Band 3 received a 3.6% pay rise effective April 2025. Entry increased from £24,071 to £24,937 (+£866) and top increased from £25,674 to £26,598 (+£924).
Does Scotland pay more for Band 3?
Yes, NHS Scotland pays significantly more. Band 3 top is £30,230 in Scotland vs £26,598 in England—a difference of £3,632 annually.
What is Band 3 pay with London weighting?
Band 3 Inner London pay is £30,546 at entry (£15.62/hour) and £32,207 at top (£16.47/hour) with HCAS, per NHS Employers official tables.
What are Band 3 unsocial hours rates?
Band 3 receives time plus 35% for Saturdays/nights and time plus 69% for Sundays/bank holidays—notably lower than Band 2 rates (41%/83%).
What’s the difference between Band 2 and Band 3?
Band 2 is a flat rate (£24,465) with no progression but higher unsocial hours rates (41%/83%). Band 3 has pay progression (£24,937 to £26,598) but lower enhancement rates (35%/69%).
Data Sources and Official References
- NHS Employers — Official pay scales for 2025/26 (nhsemployers.org)
- NHS Scotland MSG — Official Scottish pay scales 2025/26 and 2026/27
- GOV.UK — NHS Pay Award 2025/26 announcement
- HSCNI Jobs — Northern Ireland pay bands
- NursingNotes — Regional pay comparison data
England pay scales sourced from NHS Employers following the government’s 2025/26 pay award announcement. Wales and Northern Ireland figures are 2024/25 rates pending formal 2025/26 offers. Scotland figures confirmed by NHS Scotland MSG circular. Always verify with your employer’s HR department.