NHS Pay Calculator 2025/26
Calculate your NHS take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions. Covers all Agenda for Change bands 1–9, consultants and junior doctors. Updated for 2025/26 pay award.
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2025/26 NHS Pay Award: 3.6% Increase
The 2025/26 NHS pay award for Agenda for Change (AfC) staff in England is a 3.6% increase, accepted by the UK government following recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB). This applies across all AfC bands from Band 1 through to Band 9 and is effective from 1 April 2025.
The 3.6% award follows a period of significant above-inflation pay settlements awarded in 2023/24 and 2024/25 as part of efforts to resolve industrial disputes with NHS unions. For context, RPI inflation was running at approximately 3.4% at the time of the award, meaning this is a small real-terms increase for most NHS staff.
Agenda for Change (AfC) Pay Scales 2025/26
The Agenda for Change framework covers the vast majority of NHS staff in England (excluding doctors, dentists and the most senior managers). Pay scales are structured by band, with each band having a minimum, maximum, and usually one or more intermediate pay points.
| Band | Salary Range 2025/26 | Typical Roles | Example Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £23,615 | Domestic, porter, catering assistant | ~£1,629/mo |
| Band 2 | £23,615 – £24,157 | Healthcare assistant, receptionist | ~£1,629 – £1,661/mo |
| Band 3 | £24,625 – £25,674 | Senior HCA, pharmacy dispenser | ~£1,688 – £1,748/mo |
| Band 4 | £26,530 – £29,114 | Nursing associate, pharmacy tech | ~£1,787 – £1,924/mo |
| Band 5 | £29,970 – £36,483 | Registered nurse, midwife, radiographer | ~£1,892 – £2,289/mo |
| Band 6 | £37,338 – £44,962 | Senior nurse, specialist practitioner | ~£2,330 – £2,735/mo |
| Band 7 | £46,148 – £52,809 | Advanced practitioner, team manager | ~£2,809 – £3,156/mo |
| Band 8a | £53,755 – £60,504 | Consultant nurse, service manager | ~£3,178 – £3,530/mo |
| Band 8b | £62,215 – £72,293 | Divisional manager, consultant AHP | ~£3,577 – £4,043/mo |
| Band 8c | £74,290 – £85,601 | Associate director, head of service | ~£4,078 – £4,556/mo |
| Band 8d | £88,168 – £102,451 | Director (clinical/operational) | ~£4,621 – £5,184/mo |
| Band 9 | £105,385 – £121,271 | Senior director, very senior manager | ~£5,244 – £5,877/mo |
Monthly net estimates based on England/Wales rates with NHS pension, no London weighting. Actual figures vary by pension tier and exact pay point.
NHS Pension: Defined Benefit and Contribution Tiers
The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit pension, widely regarded as one of the most valuable employee benefits in the UK. Members of the 2015 NHS Pension Scheme accrue pension at a rate of 1/54th of their pensionable pay per year, meaning 40 years of service builds a pension worth approximately 74% of career average earnings.
Pension contributions are tiered based on gross pensionable pay. Higher earners contribute more, but all contributions receive income tax relief at the marginal rate, making the effective cost lower than the headline percentage suggests:
| Annual Pensionable Pay | Contribution Rate | Effective Cost (20% taxpayer) | Effective Cost (40% taxpayer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £13,246 | 5.1% | 4.1% | 3.1% |
| £13,247 – £16,831 | 5.7% | 4.6% | 3.4% |
| £16,832 – £22,878 | 6.1% | 4.9% | 3.7% |
| £22,879 – £23,948 | 6.8% | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| £23,949 – £28,223 | 7.7% | 6.2% | 4.6% |
| £28,224 – £29,179 | 8.8% | 7.0% | 5.3% |
| £29,180 – £43,805 | 9.8% | 7.8% | 5.9% |
| £43,806 – £49,999 | 10.0% | 8.0% | 6.0% |
| £50,000 – £56,163 | 11.6% | 9.3% | 7.0% |
| £56,164 and above | 12.5% | 10.0% | 7.5% |
London Weighting: HCAS Explained
The High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) compensates NHS staff for the significantly higher cost of living in and around London. It is paid in addition to the basic AfC pay and is pensionable:
- Inner London HCAS: 20% of basic salary (minimum £4,551, maximum £6,839)
- Outer London HCAS: 15% of basic salary (minimum £3,979, maximum £4,857)
- Fringe area: 5% of basic salary (minimum £1,192, maximum £2,011)
The fringe area typically includes parts of Kent, Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire that are within commuting distance of London. Whether a specific NHS trust location qualifies depends on postcode-level designation by NHS Employers.
Junior Doctors Pay 2025/26
Junior doctors are employed under separate terms and conditions from AfC staff. Following the resolution of industrial disputes in 2024, a new pay deal was agreed:
- Foundation Year 1 (FY1): £36,616 basic salary
- Foundation Year 2 (FY2): £42,008 basic salary
- Additional banding supplements apply for out-of-hours and on-call work (up to 50% of basic in some rota patterns)
Junior doctors are enrolled in the same NHS Pension Scheme as AfC staff, with contribution rates based on total pensionable earnings.
NHS Consultant Pay 2025/26
Consultants are employed under the national Consultant Contract. Basic pay for 2025/26 ranges from approximately £105,504 at appointment to £139,882 at the top of the scale, with progression over the career. Clinical Excellence Awards (CEAs) can significantly increase earnings for senior consultants, and many also undertake private practice.
NHS vs Private Sector Pay Comparison
NHS pay is consistently below private sector equivalents for comparable clinical roles. A Band 5 registered nurse earns £29,970–£36,483, whereas private hospital groups and agency nursing can pay 15-30% more for similar roles. However, NHS staff benefit from the defined benefit pension (valued at an additional 15-20% of salary equivalent), job security, annual leave entitlements (27 days rising to 33 days), and sick pay provisions that private sector equivalents rarely match.
Career Progression Within NHS Bands
Within each AfC band, staff progress through pay points annually (subject to satisfactory appraisal). The typical incremental progression is:
- Bands 1-4: Single pay point or 2-point scale with annual progression
- Bands 5-7: 3-4 pay points, typically 2-3 years from minimum to maximum
- Bands 8+: Multiple pay points over 5+ years
Progression to a higher band requires a formal banding review or promotion to a role that is graded at the higher band. AfC banding is based on job evaluation using the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme (JES).
How to Calculate NHS Take-Home Pay
To calculate NHS take-home pay accurately, the following steps are applied in order:
- Determine gross pay: Basic salary + HCAS (if applicable)
- Deduct NHS pension contribution: Applied to pensionable pay at the appropriate tier rate. This reduces the amount subject to income tax.
- Calculate income tax: Applied to (gross pay − pension contribution − personal allowance) using 2025/26 tax bands: 20% on £12,570–£50,270, 40% on £50,271–£125,140, 45% above £125,140.
- Calculate National Insurance (Class 1): Applied to gross pay (not reduced by pension): 8% on £12,570–£50,270, 2% above £50,270 (2025/26 rates for England/Wales).
- Net pay: Gross pay − pension − income tax − NI
Scotland Income Tax Note
NHS staff in Scotland pay Scottish income tax rates, which differ from the rest of the UK. Scottish rates for 2025/26 include a starter rate (19% on £12,571–£14,876), basic rate (20% on £14,877–£26,561), intermediate rate (21% on £26,562–£43,662), higher rate (42% on £43,663–£75,000), advanced rate (45% on £75,001–£125,140), and top rate (48% above £125,140). National Insurance is UK-wide and applies the same rates for Scottish NHS employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2025/26 NHS pay award?
The 2025/26 NHS Agenda for Change pay award is a 3.6% increase, effective from 1 April 2025, applying to all AfC bands 1–9 in England. Junior doctors received a separate settlement in 2024 that brought their pay to the levels described above. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland negotiate separate pay awards. The 3.6% award was recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body and accepted by the UK government.
How does NHS pension affect take-home pay?
NHS pension contributions are deducted from gross pay before income tax is calculated, providing automatic tax relief. For a Band 5 nurse at £29,970 (9.8% pension contribution = £2,937/year), this reduces their taxable income to approximately £27,033, saving approximately £587 in income tax at the basic rate. The net cost of pension contributions for a 20% taxpayer at this tier is effectively 7.8% rather than 9.8%. The pension itself is extremely valuable as a defined benefit scheme.
What is Band 5 NHS salary take-home after tax?
A Band 5 NHS worker at minimum pay (£29,970 in 2025/26) in England without London weighting takes home approximately £1,892 per month after income tax, Class 1 NI, and 9.8% NHS pension. At the top of Band 5 (£36,483), monthly take-home rises to approximately £2,289. Adding inner London HCAS (20%, capped) would add approximately £640–£700 per month to these figures.
Do NHS workers pay less tax?
No, NHS workers pay the same income tax and National Insurance rates as all UK employees. There is no NHS-specific tax reduction. However, NHS pension contributions are deducted from gross pay before tax is calculated (for employee contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme), which effectively provides tax relief at the marginal rate — the same benefit available to any workplace pension member. There is no special NHS tax status.
What is London weighting for NHS staff?
London weighting for NHS staff is the High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). Inner London HCAS is 20% of basic salary (£4,551 minimum, £6,839 maximum); Outer London is 15% (£3,979 minimum, £4,857 maximum); Fringe is 5% (£1,192 minimum, £2,011 maximum). HCAS is pensionable and is added to basic salary before deductions. It reflects the higher cost of working and living in the London area. Whether a specific trust pays HCAS depends on its location designation.
How much does a Band 7 nurse take home per month?
A Band 7 NHS worker at minimum pay (£46,148 in 2025/26) in England without London weighting takes home approximately £2,809 per month after income tax (20%/40% split), Class 1 NI, and 9.8% NHS pension. At the maximum of Band 7 (£52,809), take-home is approximately £3,156 per month. With inner London HCAS of 20% (capped at £6,839), the monthly take-home at minimum would rise to approximately £3,260.