NHS pay bands and take-home pay at a glance
For the 2026/27 financial year in England, NHS Agenda for Change basic pay ranges from £25,272 on Band 2 up to £129,783 at the peak of Band 9. Full-time take-home pay after tiered pension contributions, income tax, and National Insurance spans from approximately £1,700 to £6,115 per month.
The table below provides starting and top basic salaries alongside estimated monthly and annual take-home pay for every Agenda for Change band. Figures reflect pay agreements published by NHS Employers.
| Band | Pay points | Starting salary | Top salary | Starting take-home a year | Starting take-home a month | Top take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Band 2 | 1 | £25,272 | £25,272 | £20,401 | £1,700 | £1,700 |
| NHS Band 3 | 2 | £25,760 | £27,476 | £20,727 | £1,727 | £1,823 |
| NHS Band 4 | 2 | £28,392 | £31,157 | £22,485 | £1,874 | £1,990 |
| NHS Band 5 | 3 | £32,073 | £39,043 | £24,483 | £2,040 | £2,381 |
| NHS Band 6 | 3 | £39,959 | £48,117 | £29,157 | £2,430 | £2,866 |
| NHS Band 7 | 3 | £49,387 | £56,515 | £35,206 | £2,934 | £3,309 |
| NHS Band 8a | 3 | £57,528 | £64,750 | £40,230 | £3,353 | £3,663 |
| NHS Band 8b | 3 | £66,582 | £77,368 | £44,900 | £3,742 | £4,136 |
| NHS Band 8c | 3 | £79,504 | £91,609 | £50,707 | £4,226 | £4,735 |
| NHS Band 8d | 3 | £94,356 | £108,814 | £58,207 | £4,851 | £5,459 |
| NHS Band 9 | 3 | £112,782 | £129,783 | £67,512 | £5,626 | £6,115 |
How NHS pay and deductions work
Under Agenda for Change, staff advance through pay points within their designated band based on time in post and appraisal review standards. Each band sets clear starting and top basic pay thresholds.
Three main statutory deductions affect net salary: the NHS Pension Scheme member contribution, PAYE income tax and Class 1 employee National Insurance.
NHS pension contributions: The NHS Pension Scheme uses tiered employee contribution percentages that rise with earnings. Pension contributions reduce taxable pay, meaning you receive income tax relief immediately on your payslip. For details on how scheme membership translates into defined benefit pension accrual, visit the NHS pension calculator.
Income tax and National Insurance: Income tax is levied on taxable pay above the £12,570 personal allowance, charged at 20% within the basic rate band and 40% within the higher rate band. Employee National Insurance is charged on gross pay at 8% between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on earnings above £50,270.
Personalising your calculation
These figures represent basic full-time salaries. Staff working night shifts, weekends or bank holidays receive Section 2 unsocial hours enhancements. In addition, staff employed in London or bordering areas qualify for high cost area supplements.
To calculate exact take-home pay including London weighting, student loan plans and custom part-time hours, use our interactive NHS pay calculator.
To explore historical pay changes, pay review body recommendations and detailed progression rules, read our dedicated analysis on NHS pay bands for 2026/27.
Agenda for Change pay scope and devolved administrations
Figures are for England, 2026/27, effective 1 April 2026, standard tax code, full time 37.5 hours, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different Agenda for Change scales and Scotland has different income tax bands.
Health departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland negotiate their own annual pay circulars. As a result, exact spinal pay points and band structures diverge from the English pay scales. In addition, Scottish residents pay income tax using separate tax rates set by Holyrood, which produces different net pay figures from those in England.