The 2025/26 NHS pay scales are now confirmed. All Agenda for Change staff received a 3.6% pay rise from 1 April 2025 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland got a better deal at 4.25%.
Below you’ll find every pay band, annual salary, hourly rate and London weighting figure you need. These are the official rates used across the NHS right now.
The 2025/26 NHS Pay Award Explained
Let’s clear up exactly what happened with this year’s pay rise.
England, Wales & Northern Ireland
The Government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body recommendation. All Agenda for Change staff got a 3.6% consolidated pay increase from 1 April 2025.
This means:
- The rise is added to your basic salary permanently
- It counts towards your pension
- It applies to all pay points across all bands
Scotland
NHS Scotland negotiated a separate deal. Scottish staff got:
- 4.25% in 2025/26
- 3.75% confirmed for 2026/27
Scotland also has an inflation guarantee. If average CPI inflation goes above 3.25%, pay will be adjusted upwards. This protection doesn’t exist in England.
Key date: Pay scales changed on 1 April 2025. If you started before this date, you should have received back pay.
NHS Pay Bands 2025/26 (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
Here are the confirmed pay scales for 2025/26. Each table shows:
- Your starting salary (entry point)
- How long until your next pay rise
- The maximum you can earn in that band
Band 1 (Closed)
Important: Band 1 closed to new staff on 1 December 2018. Anyone still on Band 1 receives the Band 2 rate.
| Pay Point | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £24,465 | £12.51 |
Band 2 — Healthcare Assistants & Support Staff
Typical roles: Healthcare assistant (HCA), domestic support worker, porter, receptionist, phlebotomist, catering staff.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0+ years | £24,465 | £12.51 |
Band 2 now has a flat rate. There’s no progression within this band — you stay at £24,465 throughout.
What this means: A healthcare assistant in their first year earns the same as one with five years experience at Band 2. To earn more, you need to move up to Band 3.
Band 3 — Senior Support Workers
Typical roles: Senior HCA, clinical support worker (CSW), emergency care assistant, therapy assistant, pharmacy assistant, medical secretary.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | £24,937 | £12.75 |
| 2+ years | £26,598 | £13.60 |
Progression: After 2 years at entry point (and meeting your appraisal targets), you move to the top of the band. That’s an extra £1,661 per year.
Band 4 — Associate Practitioners & Technicians
Typical roles: Nursing associate, assistant practitioner, pharmacy technician, dental nurse, theatre support worker, medical secretary.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | £27,485 | £14.06 |
| 3+ years | £30,162 | £15.43 |
Progression: Takes 3 years to reach the top. The jump is worth £2,677 per year.
Band 5 — Newly Qualified Nurses, Midwives & AHPs
Typical roles: Staff nurse, midwife, paramedic, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, radiographer, dietitian, operating department practitioner (ODP).
This is where most clinical professionals start after qualifying.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £31,049 | £15.88 |
| 2-4 years (Mid) | £33,487 | £17.13 |
| 4+ years (Top) | £37,796 | £19.33 |
Progression breakdown:
- Start at £31,049
- After 2 years: Move to £33,487 (+ £2,438)
- After 4 years total: Reach £37,796 (+ £4,309)
Total journey: A newly qualified nurse reaches the top of Band 5 in 4 years, earning £6,747 more than when they started.
Band 6 — Senior Nurses & Experienced Professionals
Typical roles: Senior staff nurse, charge nurse, community nurse, specialist paramedic, senior physiotherapist, biomedical scientist, clinical psychology trainee.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £38,682 | £19.78 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £40,823 | £20.88 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £46,580 | £23.82 |
Progression breakdown:
- Start at £38,682
- After 2 years: Move to £40,823 (+ £2,141)
- After 5 years total: Reach £46,580 (+ £5,757)
Note: The gap between mid-point and top is larger at Band 6. It takes 3 years (not 2) to move from mid to top.
Band 7 — Ward Managers & Advanced Practitioners
Typical roles: Ward sister/charge nurse, ward manager, advanced nurse practitioner, team leader, senior pharmacist, health visitor, advanced paramedic.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £47,810 | £24.45 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £50,273 | £25.71 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £54,710 | £27.98 |
Progression: Takes 5 years to reach the top of Band 7. Full progression adds £6,900 to your starting salary.
Band 8a — Matrons & Service Managers
Typical roles: Modern matron, service manager, consultant nurse, advanced clinical practitioner, specialist lead.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £55,690 | £28.48 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £58,487 | £29.91 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £62,682 | £32.06 |
Important: There is no automatic progression from Band 8a to 8b. Moving between 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d requires applying for a higher-banded post.
Band 8b — Senior Managers & Heads of Service
Typical roles: Head of nursing, lead pharmacist, head of service, senior psychologist.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £64,455 | £32.96 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £68,631 | £35.10 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £74,896 | £38.30 |
Band 8c — Associate Directors & Consultants
Typical roles: Associate director, consultant clinical scientist, consultant paramedic, head of HR.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £76,965 | £39.36 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £81,652 | £41.76 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £88,682 | £45.35 |
Band 8d — Deputy Directors
Typical roles: Deputy chief nurse, deputy director of operations, consultant psychologist, departmental head.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £91,342 | £46.71 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £96,941 | £49.58 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £105,337 | £53.87 |
Band 9 — Directors & Chief Officers
Typical roles: Chief nurse, director of operations, director of estates, podiatric surgery consultant.
| Years Experience | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £109,179 | £55.84 |
| 2-5 years (Mid) | £115,763 | £59.20 |
| 5+ years (Top) | £125,637 | £64.25 |
This is the highest Agenda for Change band. Very senior managers above this level have separate pay arrangements.
Scotland Pay Scales 2025/26
If you work for NHS Scotland, your pay is different. Scotland negotiated separately and secured better terms.
The Scottish Deal
- 2025/26: 4.25% pay increase
- 2026/27: 3.75% pay increase (already confirmed)
- Inflation guarantee: If CPI inflation exceeds 3.25%, pay will be adjusted upwards
Scotland Pay Bands 2025/26
| Band | Entry Point | Top of Band |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £25,560 | £25,560 |
| Band 2 | £25,694 | £27,900 |
| Band 3 | £28,011 | £30,230 |
| Band 4 | £30,353 | £33,016 |
| Band 5 | £33,247 | £41,424 |
| Band 6 | £41,608 | £50,702 |
| Band 7 | £50,861 | £59,159 |
| Band 8a | £62,681 | £67,665 |
| Band 8b | £74,003 | £79,164 |
| Band 8c | £87,400 | £93,685 |
| Band 8d | £103,764 | £108,206 |
| Band 9 | £122,736 | £128,051 |
Scotland vs England Comparison
Here’s how much more Scottish NHS staff earn at key bands:
| Band | England (Top) | Scotland (Top) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | £37,796 | £41,424 | +£3,628 |
| Band 6 | £46,580 | £50,702 | +£4,122 |
| Band 7 | £54,710 | £59,159 | +£4,449 |
Why the difference? Scotland has a devolved government that negotiates NHS pay separately. They’ve consistently agreed higher settlements than England in recent years.
36-hour week: Scotland is also moving to a 36-hour working week (from 37.5 hours) by April 2026. This effectively increases the hourly rate further.
How to Calculate Your Hourly Rate
The standard NHS hourly rate is calculated using this formula:
Annual Salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 37.5 = Hourly Rate
For example, a Band 5 nurse at entry point:
- £31,049 ÷ 52.14 = £595.53 per week
- £595.53 ÷ 37.5 = £15.88 per hour
Hourly Rates Summary (2025/26)
| Band | Entry (per hour) | Top (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £12.51 | £12.51 |
| Band 3 | £12.75 | £13.60 |
| Band 4 | £14.06 | £15.43 |
| Band 5 | £15.88 | £19.33 |
| Band 6 | £19.78 | £23.82 |
| Band 7 | £24.45 | £27.98 |
| Band 8a | £28.48 | £32.06 |
| Band 8b | £32.96 | £38.30 |
| Band 8c | £39.36 | £45.35 |
| Band 8d | £46.71 | £53.87 |
| Band 9 | £55.84 | £64.25 |
Unsocial Hours Payments
If you work nights, weekends or bank holidays, you get extra on top of your basic hourly rate:
| Time Worked | Enhancement |
|---|---|
| Saturday (midnight to midnight) | Time + 30% |
| Sunday (midnight to midnight) | Time + 60% |
| Nights (8pm to 6am weekdays) | Time + 30% |
| Bank holidays | Time + 60% |
Example: A Band 5 nurse (£15.88/hour) working a Sunday shift earns:
- £15.88 + 60% = £25.41 per hour
High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) — London Weighting
If you work in or around London, you receive extra pay called the High Cost Area Supplement. This replaced the old “London Weighting” allowance.
HCAS Rates 2025/26
| Zone | Percentage | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | 20% of basic pay | £5,609 | £7,560 |
| Outer London | 15% of basic pay | £4,713 | £5,714 |
| Fringe | 5% of basic pay | £1,304 | £1,605 |
How it works:
- Calculate 20% (or 15% or 5%) of your basic salary
- If that’s below the minimum, you get the minimum
- If it’s above the maximum, you only get the maximum
Example: Band 5 Nurse in Inner London
Basic salary: £31,049
- 20% of £31,049 = £6,210
- This falls between the min (£5,609) and max (£7,560)
- Total salary: £31,049 + £6,210 = £37,259
Inner London Pay (All Bands)
| Band | Pay Point | Basic Salary | With HCAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Entry | £24,465 | £30,074 |
| Band 3 | Top | £26,598 | £32,207 |
| Band 4 | Top | £30,162 | £36,195 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £31,049 | £37,259 |
| Band 5 | Top | £37,796 | £45,356 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £38,682 | £46,419 |
| Band 6 | Top | £46,580 | £55,046 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £47,810 | £56,276 |
| Band 7 | Top | £54,710 | £63,176 |
Good news: HCAS is pensionable, so it counts towards your NHS pension.
How Pay Progression Works
Moving up through pay points isn’t automatic. Here’s what you need to know.
The Rules
- Time requirement: You must complete the required years at each pay point (usually 2-3 years)
- Appraisal: You must have a satisfactory annual appraisal
- Development: You should demonstrate you’re developing the knowledge and skills for your role
What Can Delay Progression?
Your increment can be withheld if:
- You haven’t had an appraisal
- There are documented performance concerns
- You’re subject to formal capability proceedings
Important: Your employer must tell you in advance if there’s a risk of your progression being withheld. They can’t just stop it without warning.
Increment Date
Your pay point anniversary is called your “increment date”. This is typically:
- The date you started in your current band, OR
- 1 April if you started before April 2013
Check your payslip or ask HR if you’re unsure of your increment date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2025/26 pay rise take effect?
The new rates apply from 1 April 2025. If your employer was late implementing them, you should receive back pay to cover the difference.
How much is a Band 5 nurse paid per hour?
A Band 5 nurse earns between £15.88 and £19.33 per hour, depending on experience. Atthe entry level, it’s £15.88. After 4+ year,s it’s £19.33.
What’s the difference between pay award and pay progression?
- Pay award: The annual percentage increase applied to all pay points (e.g., 3.6% in 2025/26)
- Pay progression: Moving from one pay point to the next within your band (based on time and performance)
You can receive both in the same year.
Why is Scotland paid more than England?
NHS Scotland negotiates separately with the Scottish Government. They secured a 4.25% rise compared to England’s 3.6%. Scotland also has different terms including a move to a 36-hour week.
Do I get taxed on back pay?
Yes. Back pay is treated as normal income and taxed accordingly. If you receive several months of back pay in one lump sum, it may push you into a higher tax bracket temporarily, but HMRC will adjust this over the year.
When is the next NHS pay rise?
The 2026/27 pay award will be announced in summer 2026. Scotland has already confirmed 3.75% for 2026/27. England, Wales and NI are still to be determined.
How do I check if I’m on the right pay point?
- Find your band on the tables above
- Count your years of experience at that band
- Match to the correct pay point
- Compare with your payslip
If there’s a discrepancy, speak to your payroll or HR department.
What’s Next?
These pay scales will remain in place until 31 March 2026. The NHS Pay Review Body will make recommendations for 2026/27 later this year.