NHS Band 5 Nurse Salary 2025 | Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay as an NHS Band 5 nurse or allied health professional after income tax, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions. Includes London weighting, unsocial hours enhancements, and on-call pay guidance for 2024/25 Agenda for Change rates.
Band 5 Take-Home Pay Calculator
NHS Band 5 Salary 2024/25: Complete Guide for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
NHS Band 5 is the entry point for most registered clinical professionals in the National Health Service. Under the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay framework that covers the majority of NHS staff in England, Band 5 spans a salary range of £29,970 to £36,483 for 2024/25. This represents a significant and structured pay settlement that applies to hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers across hospital trusts, community health services, and integrated care systems.
The Band 5 grade is home to newly qualified registered nurses, midwives, a wide range of allied health professionals, and some science and technical staff. Understanding the full picture of Band 5 pay — including how tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions, London weighting, and unsocial hours enhancements interact to determine actual take-home pay — is essential for financial planning at any stage of a nursing or allied health career.
Band 5 Salary Scale 2024/25 and Take-Home Pay Examples
The AfC pay system operates on an incremental basis within each band. For Band 5 in 2024/25, the pay points are as follows:
| Pay Point | Gross Annual Salary | NHS Pension Rate | Est. Monthly Take-Home | Est. Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | £29,970 | 5.2% | ~£1,973 | ~£23,676 |
| Mid-range | £32,934 | 5.2% | ~£2,148 | ~£25,776 |
| Upper-mid | £34,581 | 5.2% | ~£2,244 | ~£26,928 |
| Maximum | £36,483 | 6.5% | ~£2,309 | ~£27,708 |
NHS Pension Contributions for Band 5
All NHS employees are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme. For most Band 5 staff, this means membership of the 2015 NHS Pension Scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme. Employee contribution rates are tiered based on annual pensionable pay:
| Pensionable Pay Range | Employee Contribution Rate | Annual Cost at Band 5 Start | Annual Cost at Band 5 Top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £33,889 | 5.2% | £1,558 (on £29,970) | N/A |
| £33,890 to £45,372 | 6.5% | N/A | £2,371 (on £36,483) |
Crucially, NHS pension contributions are deducted from gross pay before income tax is applied. This means a Band 5 nurse paying 5.2% pension contributions effectively receives tax relief at 20% on those contributions, reducing the net cost. A £1,558 annual pension contribution costs the nurse only approximately £1,246 after tax relief — or about £104 per month.
The employer contribution to the NHS Pension Scheme is substantially higher at 23.7% of pensionable pay, making the NHS pension one of the most valuable employee benefits in the public sector. A Band 5 nurse at the minimum salary attracts employer pension contributions worth approximately £7,103 per year on top of their salary.
London Weighting and Cost of Living Supplements
NHS nurses and allied health professionals working in and around London receive High Cost Area Supplements to help meet the higher cost of living. For 2024/25, these supplements are:
| Location | Annual Supplement | Band 5 Start + Supplement | Band 5 Top + Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | £5,132 | £35,102 | £41,615 |
| Outer London | £3,839 | £33,809 | £40,322 |
| Fringe (near London) | £1,136 | £31,106 | £37,619 |
These supplements are pensionable, meaning they are included in the calculation of NHS pension benefits. They are also subject to income tax and National Insurance in the standard way. A Band 5 nurse at the starting salary working in inner London would have a gross pay of £35,102, taking their estimated monthly take-home to approximately £2,258 — compared to £1,973 outside London.
Unsocial Hours Enhancements
Registered nurses and many allied health professionals working shift patterns are entitled to unsocial hours enhancements under the NHS AfC terms and conditions. These enhancements are applied to the basic hourly rate and can substantially increase a Band 5 nurse's actual take-home pay relative to the basic salary figure.
The current AfC unsocial hours enhancement rates for Band 5 are:
- Weekday nights (8pm to 6am): 37% enhancement on basic hourly rate
- Saturdays (all hours): 30% enhancement on basic hourly rate
- Sundays and bank holidays (all hours): 60% enhancement on basic hourly rate
To illustrate the financial impact: a Band 5 nurse at the minimum salary of £29,970 has an hourly rate of approximately £15.37 (based on 37.5 hours per week). Working a night shift from 8pm to 6am earns an enhancement of £5.69 per hour on top of the basic rate. A full 10-hour night shift thus generates £56.90 in unsocial hours pay. A nurse working a typical rotation including two or three night shifts and weekend shifts per month could realistically earn £3,000 to £5,000 more per year in enhancements, before tax.
On-Call and Bank Work at Band 5
Some Band 5 nurses and allied health professionals are required to participate in on-call rotas, particularly in acute hospital settings, theatres, and specialist community services. On-call payments are governed by local trust agreements and typically include:
- A standby rate for hours spent on call but not called in (typically one-third of the basic hourly rate)
- A recall rate when actually called to attend work during on-call hours (at least the basic hourly rate, often with unsocial hours enhancements added)
- A minimum payment period when recalled (often a minimum of three hours at appropriate rates)
Band work is another way Band 5 nurses can supplement their income. NHS bank work is paid at AfC rates for the equivalent band and shift type, without pension or sick pay entitlements. Many nurses use bank shifts to increase earnings during periods where overtime is available, or when working additional hours within their own or another trust.
What Roles Are at NHS Band 5?
The NHS Band 5 grade covers a diverse range of first-registered-grade clinical professions. Key roles include:
- Registered Nurse (Adult, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children's): The largest group at Band 5. All newly qualified registered nurses begin employment at Band 5 minimum.
- Registered Midwife: Newly qualified midwives join at Band 5 and typically progress to Band 6 as they develop specialist skills.
- Occupational Therapist: Newly qualified OTs enter at Band 5 and work under supervision toward independent practice.
- Physiotherapist: Newly qualified physiotherapists begin at Band 5, progressing toward Band 6 specialist or rotational posts.
- Diagnostic Radiographer: Graduate radiographers enter at Band 5 and may progress toward advanced practice at Band 6 and 7.
- Speech and Language Therapist: Newly qualified SLTs enter at Band 5 under the supervision of Band 6 or 7 colleagues.
- Dietitian: Newly qualified dietitians enter at Band 5 and typically progress to Band 6 on gaining competencies.
Career Progression: Band 5 to Band 6
Progression from Band 5 to Band 6 is a significant milestone in an NHS clinical career, bringing both increased clinical responsibility and a meaningful salary increase. The Band 6 minimum salary in 2024/25 is £37,338, representing an uplift from the Band 5 ceiling of £36,483.
However, the financial benefit extends beyond the base salary difference. Moving to Band 6 also brings: eligibility for a higher NHS pension contribution tier (6.5% at entry, potentially 7.7% at higher Band 6 points), increased annual leave entitlement in some trusts, and often access to specialist allowances or enhanced responsibilities payments. Read our NHS Band 6 salary guide for full details.
Most nurses reach the top of Band 5 within two to three years of employment, at which point many begin actively seeking Band 6 opportunities. Typical routes to Band 6 include: completing a specialist course or qualification, taking on a team leader or preceptorship mentor role, moving to community nursing with a defined caseload, or applying for a clinical nurse specialist position.
Income Tax and National Insurance on Band 5 Salary
For 2025/26, the key income tax and National Insurance thresholds that affect Band 5 nurses are:
- Personal Allowance: £12,570 — no income tax on this portion
- Basic Rate (20%): Income between £12,571 and £50,270
- Primary NI Threshold: £12,570 — no NI below this
- NI Rate 8%: On income between £12,570 and £50,270
All Band 5 salaries fall entirely within the 20% basic rate tax band, meaning no Band 5 nurse (including those with London weighting) pays higher rate tax at 40%. However, anyone earning over the higher rate threshold of £50,270 would pay 40% on the excess. With the Band 5 maximum at £41,615 including inner London weighting, this threshold is not reached at Band 5.
Student Loan Repayments for Band 5 NHS Nurses
Most newly qualified nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals will have a student loan. Under the current system:
- Plan 2 (England, post-2012 students): 9% of income above £27,295 per year. A Band 5 nurse at £29,970 repays 9% of (£29,970 − £27,295) = £241 per year or about £20 per month.
- Plan 1 (pre-2012 or Scottish students): 9% above £24,990. At £29,970, repayment is 9% of £4,980 = £448 per year or £37 per month.
- Postgraduate loan: 6% above £21,000. Some nurses with master's-level qualifications may have postgraduate loans.
Note that from 2024, NHS nursing degree apprenticeships are available that do not result in tuition fee student loans, which will increasingly mean some newly qualified nurses start their careers without Plan 2 loan obligations. The NHS Learning Support Fund bursary is also available for some students and does not require repayment.
NHS Pay Bands Overview: Context for Band 5
Understanding Band 5 in the broader context of the NHS Agenda for Change pay structure helps with career planning:
| Band | 2024/25 Salary Range | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £23,615 – £24,336 | Healthcare support worker, receptionist |
| Band 3 | £24,625 – £25,674 | Senior healthcare assistant, pharmacy dispensing technician |
| Band 4 | £26,530 – £29,114 | Associate practitioner, nursing associate |
| Band 5 | £29,970 – £36,483 | Registered nurse, midwife, allied health professional |
| Band 6 | £37,338 – £44,962 | Specialist nurse, ward sister, clinical specialist |
| Band 7 | £46,148 – £52,809 | Advanced practitioner, team manager, modern matron |
| Band 8a | £53,755 – £60,504 | Lead nurse, consultant nurse, head of department |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHS Band 5 salary for 2024/25?
The NHS Agenda for Change Band 5 salary range for 2024/25 in England is £29,970 at the starting point rising to £36,483 at the top of the band. This covers newly qualified nurses, midwives, paramedics, and many allied health professionals. Pay progresses through the band based on years of service under the incremental pay system. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate pay agreements and may differ slightly.
How much does a Band 5 nurse take home per month?
A Band 5 nurse at the starting point of £29,970 takes home approximately £1,973 per month after income tax, National Insurance at 8%, and the NHS pension contribution of 5.2%. At the top of the band at £36,483, monthly take-home is approximately £2,309. These figures assume standard tax code 1257L and no student loan. Unsocial hours enhancements for night shifts, weekends, and bank holidays can significantly increase actual monthly pay.
What NHS pension contribution does a Band 5 nurse pay?
NHS pension contributions for Band 5 nurses in 2024/25 are tiered. At the starting salary of £29,970, the employee contribution rate is 5.2%, costing approximately £1,558 per year or £130 per month before tax relief. As pay rises within the band, the rate changes to 6.5% for salaries between £33,890 and £36,483. These contributions attract income tax relief, reducing the effective cost to approximately £104 per month at 5.2% for a basic rate taxpayer.
What is London weighting for NHS Band 5 nurses?
NHS Band 5 nurses working in London receive High Cost Area Supplements. The inner London supplement adds £5,132 per year, outer London adds £3,839, and the fringe area supplement adds £1,136 per year. These supplements are pensionable and subject to income tax and NI. A Band 5 nurse at starting salary in inner London earns £35,102 gross, with an estimated monthly take-home of approximately £2,258.
How do unsocial hours enhancements work for Band 5 nurses?
Band 5 nurses receive 37% enhancement on their basic hourly rate for hours worked between 8pm and 6am on weekdays. Saturday working attracts a 30% enhancement. Sundays and bank holidays attract a 60% enhancement. A nurse working a standard mix of shifts including nights and weekends can realistically earn 15 to 25 per cent more than their basic salary in total gross pay through these enhancements alone.
What roles are included at NHS Band 5?
NHS Band 5 encompasses newly qualified registered nurses (adult, mental health, learning disabilities, children's nursing), newly qualified midwives, and many allied health professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, diagnostic radiographers, speech and language therapists, and dietitians. Some specialist pharmacy technicians and biomedical scientists also fall within Band 5. It is the first professional grade for most regulated clinical professions in the NHS.
When do Band 5 nurses progress to Band 6?
Progression from Band 5 to Band 6 is not automatic. It requires a substantive Band 6 post to become available and a successful competitive application. Most nurses reach the top of Band 5 within two to three years and then seek Band 6 roles including specialist nurse, team leader, ward sister, community nurse with caseload, or clinical nurse specialist. The Band 6 minimum salary in 2024/25 is £37,338, an uplift from the Band 5 ceiling of £36,483.