NHS Nurse Salary Calculator UK 2025
Calculate your take-home pay by NHS Agenda for Change band
NHS Nurse Pay Calculator 2025/26
Enter your annual salary or select your NHS pay band to see monthly and weekly take-home pay after income tax and National Insurance.
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands 2025/26 – England
The following table shows all nursing-relevant NHS pay bands under the Agenda for Change (AfC) framework for 2025/26 in England. Each band has multiple pay points that nurses progress through annually (or as agreed in pay deals).
| Band | Role Examples | Min Salary | Max Salary | Monthly Take-Home (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | Newly Qualified Nurse (NQN), Staff Nurse | £29,970 | £36,483 | £2,042 – £2,423 |
| Band 6 | Senior Staff Nurse, Specialist Nurse | £37,338 | £44,962 | £2,491 – £2,943 |
| Band 7 | Ward Manager, Specialist Practitioner | £46,148 | £52,809 | £2,991 – £3,373 |
| Band 8a | Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Consultant Nurse | £53,755 | £60,504 | £3,402 – £3,783 |
| Band 8b | Lead Nurse, Head of Nursing | £62,215 | £72,293 | £3,874 – £4,429 |
| Band 8c | Deputy Director of Nursing | £74,290 | £85,601 | £4,530 – £5,128 |
| Band 8d | Director of Nursing (smaller trusts) | £88,168 | £101,677 | £5,276 – £5,975 |
| Band 9 | Chief Nursing Officer | £105,385 | £121,271 | £6,128 – £6,968 |
* Take-home estimates include income tax and NI at 2025/26 rates with standard tax code 1257L and 9.2% NHS pension contribution. Actual pay may differ based on individual circumstances.
NHS Pay by Nation: Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Nurse pay varies across the four UK nations because each devolved government negotiates pay awards separately with NHS employers and trade unions.
England
Band 5 starts at £29,970. Pay awards negotiated by NHS England and NHS Employers with RCN and other unions.
Scotland
Band 5 starts at approximately £30,229. Scottish Government negotiates via NHS Scotland Employers. Generally slightly higher uplifts in recent years.
Wales
Band 5 starts at approximately £30,420. Welsh Government negotiates via NHS Wales. Broadly mirrors England with some variation.
Understanding NHS Nurse Tax Deductions
Nurses employed by NHS trusts are subject to the same UK-wide income tax and National Insurance rules as other employees. For the 2025/26 tax year:
- Personal Allowance: £12,570 – no income tax below this threshold
- Basic Rate: 20% on income between £12,571 and £50,270
- Higher Rate: 40% on income between £50,271 and £125,140
- Additional Rate: 45% above £125,140
- National Insurance: 8% on earnings £12,570–£50,270 per year; 2% above £50,270
NHS Pension – How It Affects Take-Home Pay
All NHS employees are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme. The 2015 scheme (the current scheme for most staff) is a career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme. Contribution rates for 2025/26 are tiered:
| Annual Pensionable Pay | Employee Contribution Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,246 | 5.1% |
| £13,247 – £26,831 | 7.2% |
| £26,832 – £47,845 | 9.2% |
| £47,846 – £111,859 | 12.7% |
| £111,860 and above | 13.5% |
NHS pension contributions are deducted before tax, which reduces your taxable income and therefore your income tax bill. This makes the NHS pension especially tax-efficient for higher-band nurses.
Unsocial Hours and NHS Enhancements
In addition to base pay, nurses can earn significantly more through NHS unsocial hours enhancements. These are defined in the Agenda for Change terms and conditions:
- Monday to Friday, 6pm–11pm: Time and a third (33% enhancement)
- Saturday (all day) and Sunday 8am–11pm: Time and a half (50% enhancement)
- Bank holidays and Sunday midnight–8am: Double time (100% enhancement)
- Night shifts (Mon–Fri, 11pm–6am): Time and a third
NHS bank work (picking up additional shifts through the bank) is paid at the same band rate plus any applicable enhancements, but without employer pension contributions in some trusts. Agency nursing rates are typically higher but usually exclude NHS pension and may have tax implications if operating through a limited company.
Career Progression for Nurses in the NHS
The Agenda for Change framework provides a structured career pathway for nurses:
Newly Qualified Nurse (Band 5): After completing a three-year nursing degree (BSc) or apprenticeship, nurses enter Band 5. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires registration to practise. Progression within Band 5 is incremental, typically one pay point per year.
Band 6 – Specialist/Senior Nurse: After gaining experience (usually 2–5 years), nurses can move to Band 6 roles such as specialist community nurses, practice nurses, or senior hospital staff nurses. Band 6 requires additional qualifications or demonstrated specialist skills.
Band 7 – Advanced Practice: Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and ward managers are typically Band 7. This requires a master's level qualification or equivalent competency. ANPs can prescribe medication and work with considerable autonomy.
Band 8 and above – Leadership and Consulting: Senior nurses in leadership, education, or highly specialist roles move into Band 8. Director-level nursing roles (Band 9) are the pinnacle of the clinical nursing career pathway in the NHS.
Nurse Salary Comparison: NHS vs Independent Sector
Nurses in the independent (private) healthcare sector may earn more in basic salary than NHS equivalents but typically do not have access to the NHS Pension Scheme, which is considered one of the most generous public-sector pensions in the UK. Private sector nurses also generally receive less job security and may not benefit from the same level of sick pay, maternity pay, or annual leave entitlement as the AfC contract.
Agency nurses can earn substantially higher hourly rates (sometimes 30–60% more than NHS base pay) but bear their own tax administration costs if self-employed, and miss out on employer benefits.
How to Use the NHS Nurse Salary Calculator
This calculator uses the 2025/26 UK tax rates and NHS Agenda for Change pay scales to estimate your take-home pay. To get the most accurate result:
- Select your NHS pay band from the dropdown, or enter your actual annual salary manually.
- Choose your tax code – most nurses on standard employment will have the 1257L code.
- Select your NHS pension contribution tier based on your annual salary.
- Click "Calculate Take-Home Pay" to see your annual, monthly, weekly and daily net figures.
The calculator deducts income tax (at 20% basic rate and 40% higher rate), Class 1 National Insurance contributions (8% and 2%), and NHS pension contributions. Student loan deductions are not included; if you have a student loan, your take-home will be lower – use our full salary calculator for student loan deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions: NHS Nurse Salary UK 2025
What is the starting salary for a newly qualified nurse in the UK?
A newly qualified nurse (Band 5, entry point) earns £29,970 per year in England as of 2025/26. This rises through incremental pay points to £36,483 at the top of Band 5. In Scotland the equivalent Band 5 starts at approximately £30,229 and in Wales at £30,420.
How much does a Band 6 nurse earn after tax?
A Band 6 nurse starting at £37,338 in England takes home approximately £2,491 per month after income tax and National Insurance. At the top of Band 6 (£44,962), monthly take-home is approximately £2,943. These figures assume standard tax code 1257L and 9.2% NHS pension contribution.
What is Agenda for Change pay?
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the NHS pay framework covering nursing and most other NHS roles. It groups roles into pay bands (Band 1 to Band 9) with incremental pay points. Annual pay awards are negotiated nationally between NHS employers and unions including the RCN and Unison.
Do nurses pay National Insurance?
Yes. For 2025/26, nurses pay NI at 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 per year, and 2% above £50,270. NHS pension contributions (5.1%–13.5%) are deducted before tax, reducing the taxable income.
Is nurse pay different in Scotland and Wales?
Yes. Scotland and Wales negotiate separate pay awards. Scottish nurses generally see slightly higher uplifts in recent years. Welsh NHS pay broadly mirrors England. Northern Ireland uses AfC banding but negotiates separately and has sometimes seen delayed settlements.
What NHS band is a ward manager?
A charge nurse or ward manager is typically Band 7 (£46,148–£52,809 in England 2025/26). Some specialist or larger-ward managers may be banded at Band 8a (£53,755–£60,504). The exact banding depends on the trust's job evaluation process.
Can nurses increase their take-home pay?
Yes. Nurses can boost take-home pay through bank or agency shifts (enhanced rates), unsocial hours enhancements (nights, weekends, bank holidays), NHS relocation allowances, and salary sacrifice schemes that reduce taxable income. Progression to higher bands also significantly increases pay.
Written by Mustafa Bilgic (MB) | Last updated: February 2026 | Figures based on NHS Agenda for Change 2025/26 pay scales and HMRC 2025/26 tax rates. This calculator provides estimates only. Consult your NHS trust payroll for exact figures.