NHS Pay Rise 2026/27 – Full Breakdown by Band
The NHS pay rise for 2026 increases salaries across all Agenda for Change pay bands. This page explains how much NHS staff will earn after the latest pay award, including updated salary ranges for each band and what the increase means in real terms.
Most NHS staff are paid under the Agenda for Change pay system, with salaries increasing annually based on national pay agreements.
The NHS pay rise for 2026 increases salaries by approximately 3.3% across most pay bands, raising starting Band 5 by around £1,024 and Band 6 by around £1,277. Final figures depend on experience, pay progression within each band and London Weighting.
NHS Pay Rise 2026/27 - Updated Salary Tables
The table below shows NHS salary ranges following the 2026 pay rise for staff in England under the Agenda for Change system.
| Band | Starting Salary | Mid-Point | Top of Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | N/A | £25,272 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | N/A | £27,476 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | N/A | £31,157 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £34,592 | £39,043 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £42,170 | £48,117 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £51,932 | £56,515 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £60,417 | £64,750 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £70,896 | £77,368 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £84,346 | £91,609 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £100,140 | £108,814 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £119,583 | £129,783 |
Band 5
Band 5 Salary
Include nurses, therapists, and other newly qualified clinicians.
View Band 5 Salary >
Band 6
Band 6 Salary
Includes specialist clinicians, senior nurses and experienced therapists
View Band 5 Salary >
Band 7
Band 7 Salary
Advanced practitioners, ward managers and team leaders.
View Band 5 Salary >
Band 8a
Band 8a Salary
Senior managers, service leads and specialist advanced roles
View Band 5 Salary >
Latest NHS Pay Rise (2026)
The latest NHS pay rise affects all staff under the Agenda for Change pay system. See how much salaries have increased and what it means for each pay band.
Full Pay Rise Breakdown >
NHS Take-Home Pay Calculator
Estimate your monthly NHS take-home salary after income tax, National Insurance and NHS pension contributions.
Calculate Take-Home Pay >
Compare NHS Pay Bands
Compare NHS salaries across different bands to understand career progression and potential earnings at each stage.
Compare NHS Pay Bands >
What the NHS Pay Rise Means for Staff
The 2026 NHS pay rise increases basic salaries across all bands, but the actual impact varies depending on experience, pay progression and working hours.Â
For most staff, the increase will result in higher monthly take-home pay, although deductions such as tax, National Insurance and pension contributions will also increase proportionally.
Staff progressing through their pay band may see a larger increase due to both the pay rise and movement to a higher pay point.
Where our NHS Salary Data comes from
NHS salary figures on this website are based on official pay scales published by NHS Employers and the Department of Health and Social Care. Pay ranges are updated when new national pay awards are announced.