NHS pay rise 2026/27
Agenda for Change staff in England got 3.3% on every pay point from 1 April 2026. Here is what that means for each band, before and after tax.
The 2026/27 award
The government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendation of 3.3% on 12 February 2026, and it was paid from April, on time for the first time in years. Wales also paid 3.3%. Scotland paid 3.75% as part of a two-year deal, and Northern Ireland is still waiting.
For a Band 5 nurse at entry, pay went from £31,049 to £32,073, a rise of £1,024 a year. After tax, National Insurance and pension that is about £56 a month more.
Old and new pay for every step (England)
| Band | Step | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Rise | Extra take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Single rate | £24,465 | £25,272 | £807 | £45 |
| Band 3 | Entry | £24,937 | £25,760 | £823 | £46 |
| Band 3 | Top | £26,598 | £27,476 | £878 | £49 |
| Band 4 | Entry | £27,485 | £28,392 | £907 | £50 |
| Band 4 | Top | £30,162 | £31,157 | £995 | £54 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £31,049 | £32,073 | £1,024 | £56 |
| Band 5 | Intermediate | £33,487 | £34,592 | £1,105 | £60 |
| Band 5 | Top | £37,796 | £39,043 | £1,247 | £67 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £38,682 | £39,959 | £1,277 | £68 |
| Band 6 | Intermediate | £40,823 | £42,170 | £1,347 | £72 |
| Band 6 | Top | £46,580 | £48,117 | £1,537 | £82 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £47,810 | £49,387 | £1,577 | £84 |
| Band 7 | Intermediate | £50,273 | £51,932 | £1,659 | £97 |
| Band 7 | Top | £54,710 | £56,515 | £1,805 | £101 |
| Band 8a | Entry | £55,690 | £57,528 | £1,838 | £88 |
| Band 8a | Intermediate | £58,487 | £60,417 | £1,930 | £83 |
| Band 8a | Top | £62,682 | £64,750 | £2,068 | £89 |
| Band 8b | Entry | £64,455 | £66,582 | £2,127 | £91 |
| Band 8b | Intermediate | £68,631 | £70,896 | £2,265 | £95 |
| Band 8b | Top | £74,896 | £77,368 | £2,472 | £104 |
| Band 8c | Entry | £76,965 | £79,504 | £2,539 | £107 |
| Band 8c | Intermediate | £81,652 | £84,346 | £2,694 | £113 |
| Band 8c | Top | £88,682 | £91,609 | £2,927 | £123 |
| Band 8d | Entry | £91,342 | £94,356 | £3,014 | £127 |
| Band 8d | Intermediate | £96,941 | £100,140 | £3,199 | £135 |
| Band 8d | Top | £105,337 | £108,814 | £3,477 | £146 |
| Band 9 | Entry | £109,179 | £112,782 | £3,603 | £152 |
| Band 9 | Intermediate | £115,763 | £119,583 | £3,820 | £105 |
| Band 9 | Top | £125,637 | £129,783 | £4,146 | £114 |
Take-home compares both salaries with 2026/27 tax and pension rules, full time, no student loan. A rise that takes you into a higher pension tier can leave you with less than the table shows, so check your own figures in the calculator.
Use the pay rise calculator for any other job.
Common questions
When was the 2026/27 NHS pay rise paid?
From 1 April 2026 in England and Wales. Most staff saw it in their April or May pay.
Is the NHS pay rise the same in Scotland?
No. Scotland gave 3.75% from 1 April 2026 and cut full-time hours to 36 a week.
Will NHS staff get a pay rise in 2027?
The 2027/28 award has not been announced yet. It will follow the next NHS Pay Review Body report.