NHS Scotland pay
3.75% for 2026/27
Two-year deal: 4.4% for 2025/26 then 3.75% from 1 April 2026, with an inflation guarantee. Full-time week moved to 36 hours from April 2026. Band 5: £34,494–£42,977.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Figures verified against the NHS Employers 2026/27 pay circular.
NHS pay calculator
Use our free calculator to estimate take-home pay for any band and pay step. Enter your band, contracted hours, London weighting (High Cost Area Supplement) and unsocial-hours shifts to see how overtime and enhancements change your monthly pay.
NHS Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026/27
Work out your Agenda for Change salary, deductions and take-home pay — updated for the confirmed 3.3% pay award.
Take-home — monthly
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Take-home — annual
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Last updated: 26 September 2026. Figures use the confirmed 2026/27 Agenda for Change award (3.3%, effective 1 April 2026).
Methodology: hourly rate = annual FTE salary ÷ 52.2 ÷ full-time hours (37.5, or 36 in Scotland); pensionable pay includes basic salary, HCAS, overtime and unsocial-hours enhancements; income tax uses the NHS net-pay arrangement (pension deducted before tax); National Insurance and student loan are calculated on gross pay. Pension tiers: England, Wales & NI use the official 2025/26 tiers (latest published); Scotland uses the official 2026/27 SPPA tiers.
Sources: NHS Employers 2026/27 pay circular; GOV.UK (income tax, National Insurance and student loan thresholds); HMRC; SPPA circular 2026/03.
Disclaimer: this is an estimate only. This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the NHS. Your actual pay depends on your trust, tax code and circumstances — always check your ESR record and payslip.
NHS pay bands 2026/27 — full table
Every Agenda for Change role in England sits in one of nine pay bands (Band 1 is closed to new entrants). New to the system? Read how Agenda for Change works — banding, job evaluation and pay progression — then compare the figures below. Hourly rates are calculated as annual salary ÷ 52.2 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours, the standard NHS method.
| Band | Entry (annual) | Intermediate (annual) | Top (annual) | Hourly (entry–top) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | — | £25,272 | £12.91 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | — | £27,476 | £13.16–£14.04 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | — | £31,157 | £14.50–£15.92 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £34,592 | £39,043 | £16.38–£19.95 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £42,170 | £48,117 | £20.41–£24.58 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £51,932 | £56,515 | £25.23–£28.87 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £60,417 | £64,750 | £29.39–£33.08 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £70,896 | £77,368 | £34.01–£39.52 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £84,346 | £91,609 | £40.62–£46.80 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £100,140 | £108,814 | £48.20–£55.59 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £119,583 | £129,783 | £57.62–£66.30 |
Sources: NHS Employers 2026/27 pay award announcement; pay rates also published by Health Careers NHS.
Comparing roles? NHS Band 5 pay 2026/27 covers newly qualified nurses, midwives and paramedics, while NHS Band 6 salary is the guide for experienced nurses and specialists. Every band has its own detailed page — use the band index above to find yours.
The 2026/27 NHS pay rise: 3.3%
The government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body's 39th Report in full on 12 February 2026, awarding a 3.3% consolidated uplift to all Agenda for Change pay points from 1 April 2026. Because the award was announced before the pay year began, it was paid on time in April 2026 salaries — the first on-time NHS pay award in six years — so there is no backpay to calculate in England and Wales this year.
Recent awards for context: 2025/26: 3.6% (paid August 2025 with arrears backdated to April 2025) and 2024/25: 5.5%. The 2027/28 pay round opened in July 2026; no percentage has been announced yet.
Read our 2026/27 NHS pay rise guide for who the award covers, the announcement timeline and what to expect from the 2027/28 round.
NHS pay across the UK nations
Agenda for Change pay is not identical across the UK — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own awards:
NHS Wales pay
3.3% for 2026/27
Paid on time from 1 April 2026, plus a Real Living Wage floor of £13.45 an hour applied to the lowest pay points.
NHS Northern Ireland pay
3.3% recommended
Recommended by the Pay Review Body but not yet implemented as of late August 2026 — check the current position before relying on NI figures.
Beyond basic pay
Basic salary is only part of NHS earnings. Most staff also receive some of the following:
- Overtime: bands 1–7 are paid time-and-a-half for hours above 37.5 a week (double time on bank holidays); bands 8–9 receive time off in lieu instead. For the full enhancement tables and eligibility rules, see NHS overtime rates.
- Unsocial hours enhancements: extra percentages for nights, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, varying by band — see our NHS unsocial hours pay rates guide.
- London weighting (High Cost Area Supplement): 20% of basic salary in inner London (£5,794–£8,746 minimum–maximum for 2026/27), 15% outer London, 5% fringe — see NHS London weighting 2026/27 for the full HCAS tables.
- NHS pension: one of the most generous public-sector schemes, with employer contributions of 23.7% of pensionable pay.
2025/26 vs 2026/27: what changed
| Band | 2025/26 top | 2026/27 top | Increase (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £24,465 | £25,272 | £807 |
| Band 3 | £26,598 | £27,476 | £878 |
| Band 4 | £30,162 | £31,157 | £995 |
| Band 5 | £37,796 | £39,043 | £1,247 |
| Band 6 | £46,580 | £48,117 | £1,537 |
| Band 7 | £54,710 | £56,515 | £1,805 |
| Band 8a | £62,682 | £64,750 | £2,068 |
| Band 8b | £74,896 | £77,368 | £2,472 |
| Band 8c | £88,682 | £91,609 | £2,927 |
| Band 8d | £103,433 | £108,814 | £5,381 |
| Band 9 | £125,637 | £129,783 | £4,146 |
The 3.3% uplift was applied to every pay point, so the increase is larger in cash terms at higher bands. The 2025/26 table is kept as an archive for anyone checking an older payslip. For the full award timeline and what the 2027/28 round may bring, see our NHS pay rise 2026/27 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the NHS pay bands for 2026/27?
In England, Agenda for Change pay in 2026/27 runs from Band 2 (£25,272) to Band 9 (£112,782–£129,783), following a 3.3% uplift effective 1 April 2026. Band 1 is closed to new entrants. See the full table above for entry, intermediate and top-of-band figures with hourly rates.
How much is the NHS pay rise for 2026/27?
3.3%, applied to all Agenda for Change pay points from 1 April 2026. It was announced on 12 February 2026 and paid on time in April salaries, so no backpay was needed in England and Wales.
How much do NHS Band 5 staff get paid in 2026/27?
Between £32,073 at entry and £39,043 at the top of the band (£16.38–£19.95 an hour), plus any overtime, unsocial-hours enhancements or London weighting. See our Band 5 pay guide for take-home detail.
Do NHS staff get paid overtime?
Staff in bands 1–7 are paid time-and-a-half for hours worked above 37.5 a week, and double time for overtime on bank holidays. Part-time staff are paid plain time for additional hours up to 37.5. Bands 8–9 receive time off in lieu rather than overtime pay.
What is London weighting for NHS staff?
The High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS): 20% of basic salary in inner London (2026/27: £5,794 minimum, £8,746 maximum), 15% in outer London (£4,870–£6,137) and 5% in the fringe zone (£1,346–£2,270).
How are NHS hourly rates calculated?
Divide the annual full-time salary by 52.2 weeks and then by 37.5 hours. For example, the top of Band 5 (£39,043) ÷ 52.2 ÷ 37.5 = £19.95 an hour.
Is NHS pay the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
No. Scotland (3.75% for 2026/27, 36-hour week), Wales (3.3% plus a living-wage floor) and Northern Ireland (3.3% recommended but not yet implemented) each set their own Agenda for Change awards. The tables on this page are for England.
When will the next NHS pay rise be announced?
The 2027/28 pay round opened in July 2026. The Pay Review Body typically reports in spring, with the award effective each 1 April. This page will be updated when the 2027/28 figure is confirmed.
Sources and independence
Every figure on this page is a full-time equivalent (37.5 hours a week) for England unless stated, verified against the NHS Employers 2026/27 pay circular and cross-checked with the pay tables published by Health Careers NHS. If you are new to NHS pay, our guide explains what is Agenda for Change and how the nine bands are structured.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the NHS. All figures are full-time equivalent (37.5 hours/week) for England unless stated. Always check your trust's ESR record and your payslip for your actual pay.