Total increase over 5 years: £7,898 (20.4% rise)
Pay Progression Requirements
Moving up through the pay points requires meeting certain standards at your pay step review. According to NHS pay progression guidance, you must:
- Have a successful annual appraisal in the last 12 months
- Not be subject to formal capability procedures
- Have no live disciplinary sanctions
- Complete statutory and mandatory training
- If you’re a line manager, complete all your staff appraisals
Most staff who meet these basic requirements progress as expected.
What Happens at Pay Step Meetings?
Your pay step meeting reviews your progress against national pay progression standards. This includes:
- Discussion of your competency development
- Review of your Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) outline
- Confirmation of progression or deferral with action plan
- Right to contest decisions using local procedures
How to Progress from Band 5 to Band 6
This is one of the most common questions from Band 5 nurses. The path to Band 6 depends on your profession.
Typical Timeline: Band 5 to Band 6
On average, it takes 18 months to 3 years at Band 5 before moving to Band 6. Clinical specialist roles may require longer experience, while management-focused roles may accept shorter experience.
For Nurses: Application Required
Unlike midwives and paramedics, nurses must apply for Band 6 positions. There is no automatic progression. You need to demonstrate:
- Clinical expertise and competence
- Leadership and supervision abilities
- Specialist skills or management capability
- Completed preceptorship period
- Evidence of continuing professional development
For Midwives and Paramedics: Automatic via Annex 20
Midwives and paramedics have a different pathway. Under Annex 20 of the NHS Terms and Conditions handbook, they progress automatically to Band 6 after completing their preceptorship period. No application is required.
This is why research shows that 84% of midwives reach Band 6 within 2 years of qualification, compared to only 8% of nurses in the same timeframe.
Tips for Successful Band 6 Applications
If you’re a nurse wanting to reach Band 6, here’s what helps:
- Build specialist clinical skills in your area
- Seek supervision and mentoring opportunities
- Complete relevant postgraduate training
- Document leadership examples for interviews
- Apply for acting-up opportunities when available
- Consider both clinical and management pathways
What’s the Difference Between Band 5 and Band 6?
Many Band 5 staff want to know if promotion is worth it. Here’s a clear comparison.
Salary Comparison
| Factor |
Band 5 |
Band 6 |
Difference |
| Entry salary |
£31,049 |
£38,682 |
+£7,633 |
| Top of band |
£37,796 |
£46,580 |
+£8,784 |
| Time to top |
4 years |
5 years |
+1 year |
| Entry hourly |
£15.88 |
£19.78 |
+£3.90 |
| Top hourly |
£19.33 |
£23.82 |
+£4.49 |
Responsibility Differences
| Band 5 |
Band 6 |
| Delivers autonomous clinical care |
Supervises junior staff |
| Follows established protocols |
Develops and implements protocols |
| Works within team |
Leads team or specialist area |
| Learning and development focus |
Mentoring and teaching others |
| Clinical competence |
Clinical expertise + leadership |
Is the Extra Responsibility Worth It?
Being honest about this:
Reasons Band 6 is worth it:
- £7,633+ more at entry — significant increase
- More autonomy in your work
- Career pathway to Band 7 and beyond
- Recognition of your specialist expertise
- Better pension contributions long-term
Challenges to consider:
- More responsibility and accountability
- Management duties alongside clinical work
- Can feel squeezed between junior staff and senior management
- Some find the workload increase challenging
Most nurses who progress to Band 6 find the extra pay and career development worth the additional responsibilities.
NHS Band 6 vs Band 7 Salary Comparison
If you’re at Band 6, you might already be thinking about Band 7. Here’s what the next step looks like.
Salary Difference
| Factor |
Band 6 |
Band 7 |
Difference |
| Entry salary |
£38,682 |
£47,810 |
+£9,128 |
| Top of band |
£46,580 |
£54,710 |
+£8,130 |
| Time to top |
5 years |
5 years |
Same |
| Entry hourly |
£19.78 |
£24.45 |
+£4.67 |
Moving to Band 7 means an immediate pay rise of over £9,000 at entry level.
Band 7 Role Examples
- Ward Sister / Ward Manager
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Deputy Matron
- Clinical Lead
- Estates Manager
- Communications Manager
- High Intensity Therapist
Progression Timeline from Band 6 to Band 7
- Typically 2-5 years at Band 6
- Requires advanced clinical skills or management experience
- Often requires postgraduate qualifications (MSc, PGDip)
- Competitive application process
Is Band 6 a Good Salary?
This is the question many people really want answered. Let’s look at the facts.
Band 6 vs UK Average Salary
| Benchmark |
Amount |
How Band 6 Compares |
| UK Median Full-Time Salary |
~£35,000 |
Entry exceeds by £3,682 |
| Average Graduate Salary |
£28,000-£32,000 |
Band 6 significantly higher |
| Senior Professional Average |
£40,000-£45,000 |
Band 6 competitive |
At £38,682, a Band 6 entry salary is above the UK median. At £46,580 (top of band), you’re earning well above average.
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%) |
£5,563 – £6,699 |
| Annual Leave (27-33 days plus 8 bank holidays) |
£4,000 – £5,500 equivalent |
| Sick Pay (up to 6 months full, 6 months half) |
Significant protection |
| Estimated Total Package Value |
£47,000 – £58,000+ |
When you factor in the pension alone, your employer adds over £5,500 to your compensation each year at entry level.
Affordability Reality Check
Being honest:
- Outside London: Band 6 provides a comfortable income. Mortgage achievable in most areas. Good standard of living for individuals and families.
- In London: Even with HCAS, housing costs are challenging. Many Band 6 staff share accommodation or commute from cheaper areas.
- At top of band: Strong financial position in most UK regions. Mortgage, car, holidays all achievable.
- With unsocial hours: Can significantly boost take-home pay, making London more manageable.
NHS Band 6 Benefits and Entitlements
Beyond salary, Band 6 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 |
| £32,692 to £49,078 |
9.8% |
| £49,079 to £56,986 |
10.7% |
Your employer contributes 14.38% on top of your contribution. This means total pension contributions of over 24% 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
- Leadership Development: Funded management and leadership training
- Postgraduate Study Support: Funding for MSc, PGDip, and specialist qualifications
- Flexible Working: Part-time, job share, and flexible shift patterns available
- NHS Discounts: Access to Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts
NHS Pay Rise History and 2026/27 Outlook
Understanding recent pay awards helps you see how your salary has grown and what to expect.
Recent NHS Pay Awards
| Year |
Pay Rise |
Band 6 Entry After Rise |
| 2023/24 |
5.0% |
£35,392 |
| 2024/25 |
5.5% |
£37,338 |
| 2025/26 |
3.6% |
£38,682 |
The government confirmed the 3.6% pay rise for 2025/26 as an above-inflation award, backdated to 1 April 2025.
Scotland Two-Year Pay Deal (2025-2027)
Scotland has secured a two-year pay agreement with higher increases:
| Pay Point |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Two-Year Increase |
| Entry |
£41,608 |
£43,169 |
+£1,561 |
| Mid |
£43,441 |
£45,070 |
+£1,629 |
| Top |
£50,702 |
£52,603 |
+£1,901 |
Scottish Band 6 staff receive 4.25% in 2025/26 and 3.75% in 2026/27 — a cumulative increase of 8.16% over two years.
Cumulative Improvement
Since 2022/23, Band 6 entry salary has increased by over £6,500. 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 6 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 Band 6 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 6 recognises roles requiring:
- Specialist clinical skills
- Supervisory capabilities
- Leadership responsibilities
- Advanced competencies
- Post-registration experience
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Band 6 salary in the NHS?
NHS Band 6 salary ranges from £38,682 to £46,580 per year in England for 2025/26. Scotland pays highest (£41,608 – £50,702), Northern Ireland pays lowest (£37,338 – £44,962). These figures include the 3.6% pay rise effective April 2025.
What is NHS Band 6 salary after tax?
A Band 6 senior nurse at entry point (£38,682) takes home approximately £2,500 per month after tax, National Insurance, and pension deductions. At top of band (£46,580), take-home rises to around £2,950 per month. Your exact figure depends on your tax code, student loan plan, and pension tier.
What is the NHS Band 6 hourly rate?
NHS Band 6 hourly rate ranges from £19.78 (entry) to £23.82 (top of band) in England. With unsocial hours enhancements, night shifts and weekends pay £25.71 to £31.65 per hour at entry level.
What is the difference between a Band 5 and Band 6 NHS nurse?
Band 6 earns £7,633 more at entry than Band 5 (£38,682 vs £31,049). Band 6 nurses have additional responsibilities including supervising junior staff, mentoring students, and often specialising in clinical areas. Nurses must apply for Band 6 positions; midwives progress automatically via Annex 20.
Is Band 6 a good salary?
Yes. Band 6 entry (£38,682) exceeds UK median salary (~£35,000) and total compensation package value is approximately £47,000-£58,000 including pension, leave, and benefits. Outside London, it provides comfortable living standards with mortgage affordability.
How long does it take to reach top of Band 6?
It takes 5 years to reach the top of Band 6. You progress from entry (£38,682) to mid (£40,823) after 2 years, then to top (£46,580) after a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory pay step reviews.
How long does it take to progress from Band 5 to Band 6?
On average, 18 months to 3 years at Band 5. Clinical specialist roles typically expect longer experience. Nurses must apply for Band 6 posts; midwives and paramedics have automatic progression via Annex 20 after completing preceptorship.
What pension contribution does Band 6 pay?
Band 6 staff contribute 9.8% of salary (for earnings £32,692-£49,078). The employer contributes 14.38%, making total pension contributions worth over 24% of your salary — one of the best pension schemes available.
What jobs are NHS Band 6?
Band 6 includes deputy ward sisters, senior staff nurses, specialist nurses (diabetes, oncology, cardiac), school nurses, experienced paramedics, senior physiotherapists, senior occupational therapists, clinical psychology trainees, sonographers, and health records managers.
Do Band 6 staff supervise other nurses?
Yes. Band 6 is a supervisory grade. Deputy ward sisters and senior staff nurses supervise Band 5 nurses, healthcare assistants, and student nurses. This includes clinical supervision, mentoring, and often coordinating shift patterns.
Do Band 6 staff get overtime pay?
Yes. Band 6 staff receive enhanced pay: 30% extra for nights and Saturdays, 60% extra for Sundays and bank holidays. Additional bank shifts may attract premium rates depending on Trust policies.
Summary: NHS Band 6 Salary at a Glance
| Key Information |
Details |
| Salary Range (England) |
£38,682 – £46,580 |
| Hourly Rate |
£19.78 – £23.82 |
| Time to Top of Band |
5 years |
| 2025/26 Pay Rise |
3.6% |
| Inner London (with HCAS) |
Up to £54,752 |
| Monthly Take-Home (Entry) |
~£2,500 |
| Total Package Value |
~£47,000 – £58,000 |
| Band 5 to Band 6 Increase |
+£7,633 at entry |
NHS Band 6 represents a significant career milestone for healthcare professionals. The combination of competitive salary, excellent benefits, and clear progression pathways makes it an attractive grade for ambitious nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals seeking senior clinical and leadership roles.
