NHS Band 3 salary in England ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 per year for 2025/26. This pay band covers Senior Healthcare Support Workers, Clinical Support Workers, Trainee Nursing Associates, and Therapy Assistants working under the Agenda for Change framework.
Following the government’s confirmation of a 3.6% pay rise for all Agenda for Change staff, backdated to 1 April 2025, these updated rates are now in effect. Band 3 represents the first meaningful step up from entry-level Band 2 roles — offering both pay progression and a pathway to professional qualifications.
Whether you’re a Band 2 Healthcare Assistant considering promotion or a current Band 3 staff member checking your pay, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Related Guide: NHS Band 5 Salary
NHS Band 3 Pay Scale 2025/26
The Band 3 pay scale has just two pay points. This makes it simpler than higher bands, with the shortest progression period of all clinical grades.
England Pay Rates
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (Entry) | £24,937 | £12.76 |
| 2+ years (Top) | £26,598 | £13.61 |
These figures are based on a standard 37.5-hour working week
Related Guide: NHS Band 4 Salary.
NHS Band 3 Salary Across All UK Nations
Pay rates differ depending on where you work. Scotland pays significantly higher, whilst Northern Ireland pays the lowest.
| Nation | Entry (0-2 years) | Top (2+ years) |
|---|---|---|
| England | £24,937 | £26,598 |
| Wales | £25,331 | £26,999 |
| Scotland | £28,011 | £30,230 |
| Northern Ireland | £24,071 | £25,674 |
Scottish Band 3 staff at the top of the scale earn £3,632 more than their English counterparts. That’s a substantial difference for support workers — nearly £300 extra every month.
NHS Band 3 Hourly Rate Breakdown
| Nation | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
| England | £12.76 | £13.61 |
| Wales | £12.96 | £13.81 |
| Scotland | £14.33 | £15.47 |
| Northern Ireland | £12.32 | £13.14 |
Related Guide: NHS Band 6 Salary
Monthly and Weekly Salary Breakdown
| Pay Point | Annual | Monthly (Gross) | Weekly (Gross) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £24,937 | £2,078 | £479.56 |
| Top | £26,598 | £2,217 | £511.50 |
NHS Band 3 Take-Home Pay After Deductions
Your gross salary and your take-home pay are very different things. Here’s what you’ll actually receive in your bank account.
Understanding Your Deductions (Entry Point £24,937)
| Deduction | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| NHS Pension (6.5%) | £135.08 |
| National Insurance | £82.41 |
| Income Tax | £179.10 |
| Total Deductions | £396.59 |
| Take-Home Pay | £1,681.50 |
Related Guide: NHS Band 7 Salary
Band 3 Take-Home Pay at All Pay Points
| Pay Point | Annual Gross | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £24,937 | £1,681.50 |
| Top | £26,598 | £1,773.96 |
Note: Band 3 salaries fall within the £13,260–£27,797 pension bracket, meaning you pay 6.5% pension contribution throughout the entire band. This is the lowest pension tier.
Related Guide: NHS Band 8 Salary
NHS Band 3 Salary with London Weighting
If you work in or around London, you receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) on top of your basic salary.
High Cost Area Supplements Explained
| Area | Supplement Rate | Minimum Payment | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Total Salary
| Area | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
| Inner London | ~£30,351 | ~£32,012 |
| Outer London | ~£29,488 | ~£31,149 |
| Fringe | ~£26,195 | ~£27,856 |
A Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker in Inner London earns over £30,000 at entry level — significantly more than the basic rate.
Related Guide: NHS Band 8a Salary
NHS Band 3 Salary with Overtime and Unsocial Hours
Many Band 3 staff work shifts that include nights, weekends, and bank holidays. These attract extra pay on top of your basic rate.
Overtime Rates for Band 3
Under Agenda for Change rules, Band 3 staff receive:
- Overtime: Time and a half (1.5×) for hours beyond 37.5 per week
- Bank holidays: Double time (2×) or time off in lieu
What This Means in Real Money
| Pay Step | Base Hourly | Overtime (1.5×) | Bank Holiday (2×) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £12.76 | £19.14 | £25.52 |
| Top | £13.61 | £20.42 | £27.22 |
Unsocial Hours Enhancement Rates
| Time Period | Enhancement |
|---|---|
| Weekday nights (8pm to 6am) | Time plus 30% |
| All day Saturday | Time plus 30% |
| All day Sunday | Time plus 60% |
| Bank holidays | Time plus 60% |
A Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker who regularly works nights and weekends can add £2,000 to £4,000 to their annual earnings through unsocial hours payments.
What Jobs Are NHS Band 3?
Band 3 represents experienced support worker roles. These positions require more skills and responsibility than Band 2 but don’t require professional registration.
Clinical Support Roles at Band 3
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Clinical Support Worker (experienced)
- Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA)
- Emergency Care Assistant
- Therapy Assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Mental Health Support Worker (senior)
- Ambulance Care Assistant
Administrative and Technical Roles
- Clinical Coding Officer
- Senior Clerical/Administrative roles
- Estates Officer (entry)
- Occupational Therapy Support Worker
All these roles earn the same Band 3 salary, regardless of their specific job title.
What Qualifications Do You Need for Band 3?
Band 3 roles typically require:
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification (often preferred)
- Care Certificate completion
- Relevant experience at Band 2 (usually 1-2 years)
- For Trainee Nursing Associates: Acceptance onto the 2-year foundation degree programme
NHS Band 3 Pay Progression: How Long to Reach Top of Band?
It takes 2 years to reach the top of Band 3 — the shortest progression period of all bands with multiple pay points.
Band 3 Pay Step Timeline
│
▼ Pay step after 2 years
Year 2+ ───────► £26,598 (Top of band) — £1,661 increase