The NHS Band 6 salary for 2025/26 ranges from £38,682 to £46,580 in England, following the confirmed 3.6% pay award for all Agenda for Change staff. Band 6 represents a significant career milestone for experienced registered professionals, including senior nurses, specialist practitioners, and team leaders with 3-5 years of post-registration experience.
Band 6 hourly rates now stand at £19.78 to £23.82, with staff progressing through three pay points over 5 years. The Band 6 NHS salary improvements reflect consecutive years of above-inflation awards (3.6% in 2025/26 following 5.5% in 2024/25), representing a cumulative increase of over £6,500 for Band 6 positions since 2022/23.
Explore All NHS Pay Bands 2025/26 → NHS Pay Bands 2025/26
Whether you’re a Band 5 nurse planning progression, a specialist practitioner checking your current salary, or a team leader exploring career pathways, this guide provides comprehensive pay information for the 2025/26 financial year.
Pay scales effective from 1 April 2025. Data sourced from NHS Employers’ official publications.
Calculate Your Exact Band 7 Take-Home Pay
NHS Band 6 Salary 2025/26 (England)
The table below shows the official Agenda for Change pay scales for Band 6 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, backdated to April 1, 2025.
Band 6 Pay Scale (NHS Employers Official)
| Pay Step | Years | Annual Salary | Monthly Gross | Weekly Gross | Hourly Rate |
| Entry | 0-2 | £38,682 | £3,223.50 | £743.88 | £19.78 |
| Mid | 2-5 | £40,823 | £3,401.92 | £785.06 | £20.88 |
| Top | 5+ | £46,580 | £3,881.67 | £895.77 | £23.82 |
Band 6 Pay Step Points (NHSBSA Official)
| Pay Step Point | Years | Annual Salary |
| Point 1 | < 1 year | £38,682 |
| Point 2 | 1-2 years | £38,682 |
| Point 3 | 2-3 years | £40,823 |
| Point 4 | 3-4 years | £40,823 |
| Point 5 | 4-5 years | £40,823 |
| Point 6 | 5-6 years | £46,580 |
| Point 7 | 6-7 years | £46,580 |
| Point 8 | 7-8 years | £46,580 |
| Point 9 | 8+ years | £46,580 |
Key points about Band 6 pay structure:
-
- Band 6 has three pay points with progression at 2 years and 5 years
- Total progression: £7,898 from entry to top (+20.4% increase)
- Monthly = annual ÷ 12
- Hourly rates based on 1,957.5 contracted hours per year
- Subject to Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements and annual appraisals
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 3 Pay 2025/26
Band 6 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 | £19.78 |
| Mid | £20.88 |
| Top | £23.82 |
Band 6 Overtime Rates (AfC Terms & Conditions)
| Pay Step | Base Hourly | Overtime 1.5× | Bank Holiday 2× |
| Entry | £19.78 | £29.67 | £39.56 |
| Mid | £20.88 | £31.32 | £41.76 |
| Top | £23.82 | £35.73 | £47.64 |
Band 6 Unsocial Hours Rates (AfC Section 2)
| Time Period | Enhancement | Entry Hourly | Top Hourly |
| Weekday (standard) | Base rate | £19.78 | £23.82 |
| Saturday & weekday nights (8 pm-6 am) | Time plus 30% | £25.71 | £30.97 |
| Sundays & Public Holidays | Time plus 60% | £31.65 | £38.11 |
How overtime works:
- Time-and-a-half (1.5×) for hours worked over 37.5 per week
- Double time (2×) on general public holidays
- Band 6 receives 30%/60% unsocial hours rates (same as Bands 4-9)
- Premium rates for overtime, weekends, and unsocial hours significantly boost total earnings
Read About: NHS Band 2 Pay 2025/26
Band 6 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 6 Take-Home Pay (Full-Time 37.5 hrs/week)
| Element | Entry Step | Mid Step | Top Step |
| Gross Annual | £38,682 | £40,823 | £46,580 |
| Gross Monthly | £3,223.50 | £3,401.92 | £3,881.67 |
| NHS Pension (9.8%) | -£316.10 | -£333.59 | -£380.40 |
| Income Tax | -£436.90 | -£472.54 | -£568.33 |
| National Insurance | -£233.88 | -£248.15 | -£286.53 |
| Net Take-Home | ~£2,236 | ~£2,348 | ~£2,646 |
Assumptions: Tax code 1257L, NHS Pension 9.8% tier (correct for all Band 6 pay points), HMRC 2025/26 thresholds (Personal Allowance £12,570)
Band 6 Net Pay Summary
| Element | Entry | Mid | Top |
| Net Annual | ~£26,832 | ~£28,176 | ~£31,752 |
| Net Monthly | ~£2,236 | ~£2,348 | ~£2,646 |
| Net Weekly | ~£516 | ~£542 | ~£611 |
| Net Hourly | ~£13.73 | ~£14.41 | ~£16.23 |
Additional Take-Home Scenarios
With Student Loan (Plan 2):
- Entry net: ~£2,100/month
- Top net: ~£2,490/month
Inner London (with HCAS):
- Entry gross: £46,419/year (NHS Employers official)
- Entry net: ~£2,650/month
Part-Time (30 hours/week – 0.8 FTE):
- Entry gross: £30,946/year
- Entry net: ~£1,900/month
Band 6 Monthly Pay Breakdown 2025/26
Many NHS staff prefer to understand their earnings in monthly terms for budgeting and financial planning.
| Element | Entry Step | Mid Step | Top Step |
| Gross Monthly | £3,223.50 | £3,401.92 | £3,881.67 |
| After Pension | £2,907.40 | £3,068.33 | £3,501.27 |
| After Tax | £2,470.50 | £2,595.79 | £2,932.94 |
| Net Monthly | ~£2,236 | ~£2,348 | ~£2,646 |
Entry to top adds £410 net per month—worth £4,920 extra per year in take-home pay.
Band 6 Pay Rise 2025/26: How Much Did Salary Increase?
In May 2025, the UK government announced a 3.6% pay increase for all Agenda for Change staff for the 2025/26 financial year, backdated to April 1, 2025. This has positively impacted Band 6 NHS salary rates.
Related Guide: NHS Pay Rise 2026
Band 6 Pay Comparison: 2024/25 vs 2025/26
| Pay Step | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | Annual Increase | Monthly Increase |
| Entry | £37,339 | £38,682 | +£1,343 | +£112 |
| Mid | £39,404 | £40,823 | +£1,419 | +£118 |
| Top | £44,962 | £46,580 | +£1,618 | +£135 |
Key points about the 2025/26 pay award:
-
- 3.6% consolidated increase for all Agenda for Change staff
- Effective from 1 April 2025
- Pay award announced in May 2025, backdated to April 1, 2025
- 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)
- Cumulative increase of over £6,500 for Band 6 positions since 2022/23
Recent NHS Pay Awards Timeline:
| Year | Pay Award |
| 2022/23 | Flat rate award |
| 2023/24 | 5% |
| 2024/25 | 5.5% |
| 2025/26 | 3.6% |
Back Pay Information:
Staff employed on 1 April 2025 received backdated payments. Check your payslip for “arrears” or “back pay” line items.
Band 6 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 6 Progression Timeline (NHS Employers Official)
| Stage | Pay Step | Years | Annual Salary | Increase |
| Start | Entry | 0 | £38,682 | — |
| First step | Mid | 2 years | £40,823 | +£2,141 |
| Second step | Top | 5 years | £46,580 | +£5,757 |
Total progression from entry to top: +£7,898 (20.4% increase)
How progression works:
-
- Band 6 has three pay points (entry → mid → top)
- Entry to Mid: 2 years
- Mid to Top: 3 years
- Total: 5 years to reach the top of the band
- Subject to local appraisal policies
- Must demonstrate competency and complete the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements
Requirements for Progression:
-
- Satisfactory annual appraisal (PDR)
- Completion of statutory and mandatory training
- Meeting KSF competencies
- Demonstrated leadership and specialist skills
- No ongoing disciplinary procedures
Band 6 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 6 Regional Salary Comparison 2025/26
| Region | Entry Salary | Mid Salary | Top Salary | Pay Status |
| England | £38,682 | £40,823 | £46,580 | ✅ 3.6% 2025/26 |
| Scotland | £41,608 | £43,441 | £50,702 | ✅ 4.25% 2025/26 |
| Wales | £39,263 | £41,437 | £47,280 | ✅ 2025/26 |
| Northern Ireland | £37,338 | £39,405 | £44,962 | ✅ 2025/26 |
Band 6 Regional Hourly Rates
| Region | Entry Hourly | Mid Hourly | Top Hourly |
| England | £19.78 | £20.88 | £23.82 |
| Scotland | £21.57 | £22.52 | £26.28 |
| Wales | £20.16 | £21.36 | £24.23 |
| Northern Ireland | £19.15 | £20.26 | £23.05 |
Key Regional Differences
NHS Scotland pays significantly more:
- Entry: £41,608 — £2,926 more than England
- Top: £50,702 — £4,122 more than England
- Scottish staff received 4.25% increase for 2025/26
- Scotland confirmed 3.75% for 2026/27 as part of a two-year deal
- From April 2026, Scotland will implement a 36-hour working week with increased hourly rates
England:
- 3.6% pay award confirmed and implemented
- Pay scales published by NHS Employers
- Backdated to 1 April 2025
Wales:
- Entry: £39,263 — £581 more than England
- Top: £47,280 — £700 more than England
Northern Ireland:
- Lowest rates across UK nations
- Entry: £37,338 — £1,344 less than England
- Top: £44,962 — £1,618 less than England
Band 6 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 6 London Pay (NHS Employers Official – HCAS Inclusive)
| Zone | Entry Annual | Entry Hourly | Mid Annual | Mid Hourly | Top Annual | Top Hourly |
| Inner London | £46,419 | £23.74 | £48,988 | £25.05 | £55,046 | £28.15 |
| Outer London | £44,485 | £22.75 | £46,764 | £23.92 | £52,521 | £26.86 |
| Fringe | £40,617 | £20.77 | £42,865 | £21.92 | £48,778 | £24.95 |
Inner London vs Rest of England
| Pay Step | England | Inner London | Difference |
| Entry | £38,682 | £46,419 | +£7,737 |
| Mid | £40,823 | £48,988 | +£8,165 |
| Top | £46,580 | £55,046 | +£8,466 |
Inner London Band 6 top (£55,046) is nearly £9,000 more than the rest of England. HCAS is nationally set with minimum and maximum caps, and employers apply this to base pay to produce inclusive totals.
NHS Pension Contributions for Band 6 Staff
Your NHS pension contribution is deducted automatically from your gross salary based on your pensionable earnings tier.
Band 6 Pension Contribution
| Element | Entry Step | Mid Step | Top Step |
| Salary | £38,682 | £40,823 | £46,580 |
| Contribution Rate | 9.8% | 9.8% | 9.8% |
| Monthly Deduction | £316.10 | £333.59 | £380.40 |
| Annual Deduction | £3,791 | £4,001 | £4,565 |
NHS Pension Member Contribution Tiers 2025/26
| Pensionable Pay Range | Rate |
| £27,798 – £33,868 | 8.3% |
| £33,869 – £50,845 | 9.8% ← Band 6 |
| £50,846 – £65,190 | 10.7% |
All three Band 6 steps (£38,682 / £40,823 / £46,580) sit in the 9.8% tier.
NHS Pension provides a defined benefit pension based on career average earnings, with employer contributions of approximately 20.6%—one of the most valuable NHS employment benefits.
Calculate Your NHS Pension Contributions
What Jobs Are NHS Band 6?
Band 6 NHS salary positions are for experienced registered professionals with specialist expertise, supervisory responsibilities, and proven competencies. These roles combine advanced clinical skills with team leadership.
Nursing Roles
-
- Senior Staff Nurse
- Specialist Nurse (Diabetes, Tissue Viability, Infection Control)
- Junior Sister / Deputy Ward Sister
- Charge Nurse
- Theatre Nurse
- Community Nurse
- School Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse (Specialist)
Midwifery Roles
-
- Senior Midwife
- Experienced Midwife
- Community Midwife (experienced)
Paramedic & Emergency Services
-
- Senior Paramedic
- Experienced Paramedic
- Emergency Care Practitioner
Allied Health Professionals
-
- Senior Physiotherapist
- Senior Occupational Therapist
- Senior Radiographer
- Senior Speech and Language Therapist
- Biomedical Scientist
Other Band 6 Roles
-
- Team Leader
- Practice Manager
- Clinical Educator
- Advanced Practitioner
- Health Records Manager
Band 6 Entry Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
| Experience | 3-5 years post-registration |
| Qualifications | Degree + specialist training/courses |
| Registration | NMC (nurses/midwives) or HCPC (AHPs) |
| Skills | Leadership capabilities, specialist clinical skills |
| Competencies | Supervising junior staff, mentoring |
Band 5 vs Band 6: What’s the Difference?
Salary Comparison (England 2025/26)
| Element | Band 5 (Top) | Band 6 (Entry) | Band 6 (Top) |
| Annual Salary | £37,796 | £38,682 | £46,580 |
| Hourly Rate | £19.33 | £19.78 | £23.82 |
| Years to Top | 4 years | — | 5 years |
| Difference | — | +£886 | +£8,784 |
Key Differences:
-
- Band 5 to Band 6 entry difference: Only £886
- Band 5 top to Band 6 top difference: £8,784 (+23.2%)
- Band 6 requires an additional 2-3 years post-registration experience
- Band 6 involves supervisory responsibilities and specialist skills
- No automatic progression from Band 5 to Band 6—must apply for vacancies
Read our Band 5 Pay Guide → NHS Band 5 Pay 2025/26
How to Progress from Band 6 to Band 7
Band 6 NHS pay positions provide excellent opportunities for progression to senior leadership and advanced clinical roles.
Career Progression Pathway
| Band | Typical Role | Salary (England) | Requirements |
| Band 6 | Specialist Nurse, Junior Sister | £38,682-£46,580 | 3-5 years + specialist skills |
| Band 7 | Ward Manager, ANP, Clinical Specialist | £47,810-£54,710 | Significant experience + MSc often |
| Band 8a | Service Manager, Consultant Practitioner | £55,690-£62,682 | Senior leadership |
Pathways to Band 7:
-
- Ward Manager / Ward Sister — Leading a clinical area
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) — MSc Advanced Practice required
- Clinical Specialist — Expert in a specific clinical area
- Team Manager — Strategic leadership and service development
Band 7 entry (£47,810) is £1,230 more than Band 6 top (£46,580).
Read our Band 7 Pay Guide → NHS Band 7 Pay 2025/26
Band 6 Part-Time Pay: Pro-Rata Calculations
Band 6 Part-Time Examples (30 hours/week – 0.8 FTE)
| Element | Entry | Mid | Top |
| Pro-Rata Annual | £30,946 | £32,658 | £37,264 |
| Monthly Gross | £2,579 | £2,722 | £3,105 |
| Net Monthly | ~£1,900 | ~£2,000 | ~£2,250 |
Band 6 Part-Time Examples (Various Hours – Entry £38,682)
| Hours per Week | FTE | Annual Pro-Rata | Monthly Gross | Net Monthly |
| 37.5 (full-time) | 1.0 | £38,682 | £3,223.50 | ~£2,236 |
| 30 hours | 0.8 | £30,946 | £2,578.80 | ~£1,900 |
| 22.5 hours | 0.6 | £23,209 | £1,934.10 | ~£1,500 |
| 18.75 hours | 0.5 | £19,341 | £1,611.75 | ~£1,300 |
Part-time salary is calculated pro rata. The hourly rate remains the same regardless of hours. Flexible working options, including part-time and job share, are available.
Band 6 Annual Leave Entitlement
Band 6 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 (+60%) or given as TOIL.
Use our NHS Annual Leave Calculator →
Band 6 Total Earnings Potential 2025/26
Band 6 Earnings Scenarios
| Scenario | Estimated Annual |
| Entry (base only) | £38,682 |
| Mid (base only) | £40,823 |
| Top (base only) | £46,580 |
| Entry + regular unsocial hours | ~£44,000-£48,000 |
| Top + regular unsocial hours | ~£52,000-£58,000 |
| Inner London entry (base + HCAS) | £46,419 |
| Inner London top (base + HCAS) | £55,046 |
| Inner London top + unsocial hours | ~£62,000-£68,000 |
| Scotland top + unsocial hours | ~£56,000-£62,000 |
Regular nights/weekends can add £6,000-£12,000+ per year to base salary.
NHS Band 6 Benefits & Perks
| Benefit | Details |
| NHS Pension Scheme | 9.8% employee contribution, ~20.6% employer contribution |
| Annual Leave | 27-33 days plus 8 bank holidays |
| Overtime & Enhancements | Time-and-a-half overtime, 30%/60% unsocial hours |
| Leadership Development | Funded management and leadership training programs |
| Postgraduate Study Support | Funding and study leave for MSc, PGDip, specialist qualifications |
| Sick Pay | Occupational sick pay scheme |
| Maternity/Paternity | Enhanced pay above the statutory minimum |
| NHS Discounts | Access to exclusive staff discounts |
| Flexible Working | Part-time, job share, and flexible shift patterns available |
2026/27 Pay Round: What to Expect
-
- Scotland confirmed: 3.75% for 2026/27 (part of two-year deal)
- Scotland: Implementing a 36-hour working week from April 2026
- England: Awaiting NHS Pay Review Body recommendations
- NHS Staff Council: Mandate for funded pay structure changes
- The government continues to work with NHS Employers and trade unions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Band 6 NHS salary in 2025/26?
Band 6 NHS salary ranges from £38,682 (entry) to £46,580 (top) in England for 2025/26. Staff progress through three pay points over 5 years: entry (0-2 years), mid (2-5 years), and top (5+ years).
What is the Band 6 NHS hourly rate?
Band 6 hourly rate is £19.78 at entry, £20.88 at mid, and £23.82 at the top of the band. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half (£29.67-£35.73) and double time on bank holidays (£39.56-£47.64).
What is Band 6 take-home pay after tax?
Band 6 entry take-home pay is approximately £2,236 per month, and top of band is approximately £2,646 per month after pension (9.8%), tax and National Insurance deductions.
What is Band 6 monthly pay?
Band 6 monthly gross pay is £3,223.50 at entry, £3,401.92 at mid, and £3,881.67 at top.
How long to reach the top of Band 6?
It takes 5 years to reach the top of Band 6. Staff progress from entry to mid after 2 years, then from mid to top after a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory appraisals.
How much did the Band 6 pay rise in 2025/26?
Band 6 received a 3.6% pay rise effective April 2025. Entry increased by £1,343, mid by £1,419, and top by £1,618.
Does Scotland pay more for Band 6?
Yes, NHS Scotland pays significantly more. Band 6 top is £50,702 in Scotland vs £46,580 in England—a difference of £4,122 annually.
What is Band 6 pay with London weighting?
Band 6 Inner London pay is £46,419 at entry (£23.74/hour) and £55,046 at top (£28.15/hour) with HCAS.
What jobs are Band 6?
Band 6 roles include senior staff nurses, specialist nurses, junior sisters, charge nurses, senior midwives, senior paramedics, senior physiotherapists, senior occupational therapists, team leaders, and clinical educators.
What is Band 6 pension contribution?
Band 6 staff pay 9.8% pension contribution (£316-£380/month) for all pay points within the band.
Data Sources and Official References
-
- NHS Employers — Official pay scales (nhsemployers.org)
- NHSBSA — Pay step point tables
- NHS Pay Review Body — Independent recommendations
- AfC Terms and Conditions Handbook — Pay structure and overtime rules
- Scottish Government — NHS Scotland pay scales (MSG circular)
- GOV.UK — Pay award announcements
Pay scales effective from 1 April 2025. Always verify with your employer’s HR department.