NHS Band 5 Salary 2025/26: Pay Scale, Hourly Rates & Take-Home Pay Guide

Total increase over 4 years: £6,747 (21.7% rise)

Pay Progression Requirements

Moving up through the pay points isn’t completely automatic. You need to meet certain standards at your pay step review:

• Satisfactory annual appraisal
• Completed statutory and mandatory training
• Met your agreed objectives
• No ongoing capability concerns

Most staff who meet these basic requirements progress as expected.

Important Note on Pay Step Timing

Your pay step reviews happen at 2-year intervals for Band 5, not annually. You still have yearly appraisals, but these don’t automatically trigger pay increases between step points.

Is NHS Band 5 a Good Salary?

This is the question many people really want answered. Let’s look at the facts.

Band 5 vs UK Average Salary

Benchmark	Amount	How Band 5 Compares
UK Median Full-Time Salary	~£35,000	Entry below, top above
Average Graduate Starting Salary	£26,000-£30,000	Band 5 entry exceeds this
National Living Wage (annual, full-time)	~£22,000	Band 5 significantly higher

At £31,049, a newly qualified Band 5 nurse earns more than most UK graduates starting their careers.

Total Compensation Value

Your NHS salary is just part of the picture. The full compensation package includes valuable benefits:

Benefit	Estimated Annual Value
NHS Pension (employer contribution at 14.38%)	£4,466 – £5,437
Annual Leave (27-33 days plus 8 bank holidays)	£3,000 – £4,500 equivalent
Sick Pay (up to 6 months full, 6 months half)	Significant protection
Estimated Total Package Value	£38,500 – £47,500+

When you factor in the pension alone, your employer adds over £4,400 to your compensation each year.

Affordability Reality Check

Being honest:

• Outside London: Band 5 entry provides a comfortable income for a single person and is manageable for families, especially with unsocial hours payments
• In London: Even with HCAS, entry-level Band 5 can feel tight. Many staff supplement income through bank shifts or share accommodation in their early years
• At top of band: Life becomes noticeably easier, particularly outside high-cost areas

NHS Band 5 vs Band 6 Salary Comparison

Many Band 5 staff want to know what they could earn at the next level.

Salary Difference

Factor	Band 5	Band 6	Difference
Entry	£31,049	£38,682	+£7,633
Top	£37,796	£46,580	+£8,784
Time to top	4 years	5 years	+1 year
Hourly (entry)	£15.88	£19.78	+£3.90

Moving to Band 6 means an immediate pay rise of at least £7,633 at entry level.

When Can You Move from Band 5 to Band 6?

Unlike midwives and paramedics, nurses don’t have an automatic pathway from Band 5 to Band 6. You typically need:

• 2-5 years of experience at Band 5
• Demonstrated clinical competence and specialist skills
• Leadership and management abilities
• Successful application for a Band 6 post

Band 6 positions must be applied for — they’re not automatic promotions.

Band 6 Role Examples

• Senior Staff Nurse
• Junior Sister or Charge Nurse
• Specialist Practitioner
• Team Coordinator
• Clinical Nurse Specialist

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NHS Band 5 Benefits and Entitlements

Beyond salary, Band 5 staff receive excellent benefits through Agenda for Change.

NHS Pension Scheme

The NHS Pension is one of the best workplace pensions available:

Salary Range	Employee Contribution
£13,260 to £26,831	6.5%
£26,832 to £32,691	8.3%
£32,692 to £49,078	9.8%

Your employer contributes 14.38% on top of your contribution. This means total pension contributions of over 22% of your salary — a benefit worth thousands each year.

The current scheme (2015 NHS Pension Scheme) is a career average scheme. Your normal pension age links to your State Pension age.

Annual Leave Entitlement

NHS Service	Annual Leave	Plus Bank Holidays
Under 5 years	27 days	+ 8 days
5-10 years	29 days	+ 8 days
Over 10 years	33 days	+ 8 days

That’s up to 41 days of paid leave per year for long-serving staff.

Other Key Benefits

• Sick Pay: Up to 6 months full pay, followed by 6 months half pay
• Maternity Pay: 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay, plus statutory maternity pay
• Paternity Leave: 2 weeks at full pay
• Study Leave: Typically 2-4 days annually for continuing professional development (CPD)
• NHS Discounts: Access to Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts

NHS Pay Rise History and Future Outlook

Understanding recent pay awards helps you see how your salary has grown.

Recent NHS Pay Awards

Financial Year	Pay Rise	Band 5 Entry After Rise
2023/24	5.0%	£28,407
2024/25	5.5%	£29,970
2025/26	3.6%	£31,049

The government confirmed the 3.6% pay rise for 2025/26 in May 2025, backdated to 1 April 2025.

Scotland Pay Deal 2025-27

Scotland has secured a two-year pay deal:

• 2025/26: 4.25% increase
• 2026/27: 3.75% increase

This means Scottish Band 5 staff will see their pay rise to approximately £34,660 at entry level by April 2026.

Cumulative Improvement

Since 2022/23, Band 5 entry salary has increased by over £5,000. These consecutive above-inflation awards recognise the dedication of NHS staff, though unions continue to campaign for further improvements.

What is Agenda for Change?

Agenda for Change (AfC) is the pay system that determines NHS Band 5 salary and conditions for over one million NHS staff.

Key Facts About Agenda for Change

• Introduced: December 2004
• Coverage: All NHS staff except doctors, dentists, and very senior managers
• Structure: Nine pay bands (Band 1-9), with Band 1 now closed to new entrants
• Basis: Jobs evaluated against 16 factors using the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme

How Your Band is Determined

The NHS Job Evaluation Scheme assesses jobs against factors including:

• Knowledge, training, and experience required
• Responsibility for patients, staff, and resources
• Physical, mental, and emotional effort
• Working conditions

Band 5 recognises roles requiring:

• Degree-level qualification
• Professional registration
• Clinical autonomy and independent decision-making

The Knowledge and Skills Framework

The Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) supports Agenda for Change. It sets out the skills and knowledge NHS staff need to do their jobs well and helps with:

• Annual appraisals
• Pay progression decisions
• Identifying development needs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHS Band 5 salary for 2025/26?

NHS Band 5 salary ranges from £31,049 to £37,796 per year in England for 2025/26. Scotland pays the highest rates (£33,247 to £41,424), while Northern Ireland pays £29,970 to £36,483. These figures reflect the 3.6% pay award effective from April 2025.

What is NHS Band 5 salary after tax?

A Band 5 nurse at entry point (£31,049) takes home approximately £2,156 per month after tax, National Insurance, and pension deductions. At top of band (£37,796), take-home pay rises to around £2,561 per month. Your exact figure depends on your tax code, student loan plan, and pension contribution tier.

What is the NHS Band 5 hourly rate?

NHS Band 5 hourly rate ranges from £15.88 (entry) to £19.33 (top of band) in England. With unsocial hours enhancements, night shifts and weekends pay £20.64 to £25.41 per hour at entry level.

How many years does it take to reach top of Band 5?

It takes 4 years to reach the top of Band 5. You progress from entry (£31,049) to intermediate (£33,487) after 2 years, then to top (£37,796) after a further 2 years. Progression requires satisfactory appraisals and meeting training requirements.

Is Band 5 a good starting salary?

Yes. Band 5 starting salary of £31,049 exceeds the average UK graduate salary and includes benefits worth an additional £7,000-£10,000 annually. The total compensation package value is approximately £38,500-£40,000 when including pension contributions and leave entitlements.

What qualifications do I need for Band 5?

You need a degree in your profession (nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, etc.) and professional registration with the relevant body — NMC for nurses and midwives, HCPC for allied health professionals. Clinical roles also require completion of a preceptorship period.

Do NHS Band 5 nurses get overtime pay?

Yes. Band 5 staff receive enhanced pay for overtime and unsocial hours: 30% extra for nights and Saturdays, 60% extra for Sundays and bank holidays. Some NHS Trusts offer additional rates for extra bank shifts.

What is the pension contribution for Band 5?

Band 5 staff contribute 6.5% to 9.8% of salary depending on earnings. The employer contributes 14.38%, making total pension contributions worth over 22% of your salary — one of the best pension schemes available.

Can I progress from Band 5 to Band 6?

Yes, but for nurses it requires applying for Band 6 positions — there’s no automatic progression. Typically you need 2-5 years of Band 5 experience plus demonstrated specialist skills and leadership abilities. Midwives and paramedics have automatic progression via Annex 20, but this doesn’t currently apply to nurses.

How does Band 5 salary compare to agency nursing?

Agency nurses can earn £25-40 per hour or more, significantly higher than Band 5 basic rates. However, agency work doesn’t include NHS pension (worth ~20% of salary), paid annual leave (27-33 days), sick pay, or job security. When comparing, consider the full compensation package, not just hourly rates.

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Summary: NHS Band 5 Salary at a Glance

Key Information	Details
Salary Range (England)	£31,049 – £37,796
Hourly Rate	£15.88 – £19.33
Time to Top of Band	4 years
2025/26 Pay Rise	3.6%
Inner London (with HCAS)	£37,259 – £45,356
Monthly Take-Home (Entry)	~£2,156
Total Package Value	~£38,500 – £47,500

NHS Band 5 provides a solid foundation for your healthcare career. While starting salaries may feel modest, guaranteed progression, excellent benefits, and opportunities for advancement make it a rewarding long-term choice.