KnowMyPay
NHS promotion pay

NHS promotion take-home pay, band by band

What a promotion up the Agenda for Change spine is really worth, in take-home terms. Each row is the jump from the top of one band to the entry of the next, after income tax, National Insurance and the NHS pension. Source: NHS Employers.

Figures for 2026/27 · England and Wales · after tax, NI and NHS pension · last reviewed 2026-09-06

The take-home jump for every NHS promotion

PromotionGross riseTake-home rise a yearTake-home rise a month
Band 2 to Band 3 £488 £326 £27
Band 3 to Band 4 £916 £612 £51
Band 4 to Band 5 £916 £599 £50
Band 5 to Band 6 £916 £588 £49
Band 6 to Band 7 £1,270 £815 £68
Band 7 to Band 8a £1,013 £523 £44
Band 8a to Band 8b £1,832 £945 £79
Band 8b to Band 8c £2,136 £1,079 £90
Band 8c to Band 8d £2,747 £1,387 £116
Band 8d to Band 9 £3,968 £2,004 £167

The rise is measured from the top of the lower band, where an experienced member of staff sits before promotion, to the entry point of the higher band. The take-home figure is smaller than the gross rise because tax, National Insurance and the NHS pension take a share. For the point-by-point detail of any band, see NHS pay by band.

Public sector cross-profession comparisons

Compare starting salaries, pension deductions, and net take-home pay across different UK public services:

Common questions

What do these NHS promotion figures show?

The rise in take-home pay when you move up one Agenda for Change band, comparing the top of the lower band with the entry of the higher band. It is after income tax, National Insurance and the NHS pension, so it is the real increase in your pay packet, not the gross headline.

Why is the take-home rise less than the pay band difference?

A promotion raises gross pay, but income tax, National Insurance and a higher NHS pension tier all take a share of the increase. On the higher bands the gap widens because more of the rise falls in the 40% tax band.

Do these figures include a student loan?

No, the headline take-home is before any student loan repayment. If you repay a plan, the net jump is a little smaller. Each band page can show the figure with a student loan plan included.

Sources & Rate Verification

Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.

Information, not financial advice. Take-home uses the published 2026/27 tax, National Insurance and NHS pension rates for England and Wales, no student loan, and the standard tax code.