NHS Band 7 salary, England 2026/27
Advanced practitioners, ward managers and clinical team leads.
Minimum
£49,387
Maximum
£56,515
Hourly at entry
£25.26
Hourly at top
£28.90
Band 7 pay scale, England 2026/27
| Step | Years from entry | Annual | Hourly (37.5h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | From day one | £49,387 | £25.26 |
| Intermediate | After 2 years | £51,932 | £26.56 |
| Top | After 5 years | £56,515 | £28.90 |
| Full range | £49,387 to £56,515 | £25.26 to £28.90 | |
England, 2026/27, effective 2026-04-01. Source: Pay scales for 2026/27 — NHS Employers.
About Band 7
Band 7 covers advanced practitioners, ward managers and clinical team leaders. Advanced nurse practitioners with prescribing rights, advanced paramedics, ward sisters and charge nurses, clinical team leaders, highly specialist therapists and senior pharmacists all typically sit at Band 7. It is the first band where most posts carry significant leadership or management responsibility alongside clinical work.
What Band 7 staff actually do
A Band 7 ward manager runs a single ward: staff rotas, budgets, appraisals, patient flow, audit, complaints, and supporting the most complex patients. A Band 7 advanced nurse practitioner often works in an autonomous clinical role with full prescribing rights, taking on caseloads previously handled by junior doctors. A Band 7 senior pharmacist runs a specialist service like critical care medicines or cancer chemotherapy, leading the team and managing the budget.
How to get on Band 7
Significant post-registration experience (typically five or more years) plus advanced qualifications. Advanced practice roles usually require a Masters in advanced clinical practice. Ward manager roles ask for proven leadership and management experience, often with a formal leadership qualification like the NHS Edward Jenner programme.
Moving up from Band 7
From Band 7, the next step is Band 8a clinical lead, matron or consultant practitioner role. Some Band 7 staff move sideways into education, quality improvement or research roles rather than into management. The progression to Band 8a is competitive and depends on what posts become available locally.
Band 7 across the four UK nations
Band 7 in Scotland pays roughly 3% to 4% more than England at the top step on the 2026/27 scales. Welsh Band 7 entry is slightly higher than England's. Northern Ireland matches England exactly.
| Nation | Minimum | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £49,387 | £56,515 | View pay scale |
| Scotland | £52,845 | £61,466 | View pay scale |
| Wales | £50,129 | £57,365 | View pay scale |
| Northern Ireland | £47,810 | £54,710 | View pay scale |
Example Band 7 roles
Band 7 covers a range of NHS jobs. The roles below are typical of this band.
-
Community Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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District Nurse
Bands 6, 7
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School Nurse
Bands 6, 7
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Health Visitor
Bands 6, 7
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Emergency Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Intensive Care Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Oncology Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Palliative Care Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Diabetes Specialist Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Mental Health Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Learning Disability Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Bands 7, 8a
-
Ward Manager
Band 7
-
Community Matron
Bands 7, 8a
-
Specialist Midwife
Bands 6, 7
-
Physiotherapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Occupational Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Speech and Language Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Dietitian
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Diagnostic Radiographer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Therapeutic Radiographer
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Sonographer
Bands 6, 7
-
Paramedic
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Advanced Paramedic
Band 7
-
Podiatrist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Audiologist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Orthoptist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Art Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Music Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Pharmacist
Bands 6, 7, 8a, 8b
-
Biomedical Scientist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Clinical Scientist
Bands 7, 8a, 8b
-
Cardiac Physiologist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Clinical Psychologist
Bands 7, 8a, 8b, 8c
-
Counselling Psychologist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Psychotherapist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Dental Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Estates Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Service Manager
Bands 7, 8a, 8b
-
Project Manager
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Quality Improvement Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Chaplain
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Social Worker
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Public Health Practitioner
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Surgical Care Practitioner
Band 7
-
Anaesthetic Associate
Band 7
-
Optometrist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Cardiac Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Heart Failure Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Respiratory Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Stroke Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Tissue Viability Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Infection Control Nurse
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Continence Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Pain Management Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Endoscopy Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Urology Specialist Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Breast Care Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Stoma Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Epilepsy Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Multiple Sclerosis Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Parkinson's Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Dementia Care Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Macmillan Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Renal Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Sexual Health Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
IV Therapy Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
CAMHS Practitioner
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Forensic Mental Health Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Eating Disorder Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Diabetes Educator
Bands 6, 7
-
Rheumatology Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
HIV Specialist Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Safeguarding Nurse
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Community Psychiatric Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Approved Mental Health Professional
Bands 7, 8a
-
MSK Physiotherapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Neurological Physiotherapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Respiratory Physiotherapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Paediatric Physiotherapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
First Contact Practitioner
Band 7
-
Hand Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Dysphagia Specialist
Bands 6, 7
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MRI Radiographer
Bands 6, 7
-
CT Radiographer
Bands 6, 7
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Mammographer
Bands 6, 7
-
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Bands 6, 7
-
Mental Health Pharmacist
Bands 7, 8a
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Aseptic Services Pharmacist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Haematology Biomedical Scientist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Clinical Biochemistry Scientist
Bands 5, 6, 7, 8a
-
Microbiology Biomedical Scientist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Blood Transfusion Scientist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Genetic Technologist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Embryologist
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Echocardiographer
Bands 6, 7
-
Neurophysiology Technologist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Sleep Physiologist
Bands 6, 7
-
IAPT Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Drama Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Family Therapist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Discharge Coordinator
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Bed Manager
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
HR Business Partner
Bands 7, 8a, 8b
-
Data Analyst
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Health Informatics Specialist
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Complaints Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Clinical Governance Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Communications Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Finance Officer
Bands 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
-
Procurement Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Workforce Planner
Bands 6, 7, 8a
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Patient Safety Lead
Bands 7, 8a
-
Risk Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Care Coordinator
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Health Promotion Specialist
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Occupational Health Nurse
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Research Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Respiratory Physiologist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Vascular Technologist
Bands 6, 7
-
Paediatric Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Neonatal Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Acute Medical Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Surgical Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Burns Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Hospice Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Vascular Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Bowel Screening Practitioner
Bands 6, 7
-
Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Frailty Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Anticoagulation Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Menopause Specialist Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
COPD Specialist Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Haemophilia Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Cardiac Rehab Physiotherapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Vestibular Physiotherapist
Band 7
-
Stroke Occupational Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Burns Occupational Therapist
Bands 6, 7
-
Older People's Occupational Therapist
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Voice Therapist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Medical Illustrator
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Lung Function Technician
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Primary Care Pharmacist
Bands 7, 8a
-
Systems Administrator
Bands 6, 7
-
Cyber Security Officer
Bands 7, 8a
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Internal Audit Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Equality and Diversity Officer
Bands 6, 7
-
Senior Project Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Press Officer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Trade Union Representative
Bands 6, 7, 8a
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NHS Librarian
Bands 6, 7, 8a
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Orthodontic Therapist
Bands 6, 7
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Research Fellow (Allied Health)
Bands 7, 8a
-
Physician Associate
Band 7
-
Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Band 7
-
Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Lung Cancer Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Colorectal Nurse Specialist
Bands 6, 7
-
Ophthalmic Nurse
Bands 5, 6, 7
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Transplant Coordinator
Bands 7, 8a
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Organ Donation Specialist Nurse
Bands 7, 8a
-
Critical Care Outreach Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Trauma Coordinator
Bands 7, 8a
-
Psychiatric Liaison Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Crisis Team Nurse
Bands 6, 7
-
Forensic Psychologist
Bands 7, 8a, 8b, 8c
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Clinical Site Manager
Bands 7, 8a
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Ward Sister
Bands 6, 7
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Charge Nurse
Bands 6, 7
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Clinical Nurse Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Medical Physicist
Bands 7, 8a, 8b, 8c
-
Nuclear Medicine Physicist
Bands 7, 8a, 8b
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Dosimetrist
Bands 6, 7
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Radiation Protection Officer
Bands 7, 8a
-
Clinical Engineer
Bands 6, 7, 8a
-
Biomedical Engineer
Bands 5, 6, 7
-
Data Protection Officer
Bands 7, 8a
-
Information Governance Manager
Bands 7, 8a
-
Clinical Informatics Officer
Bands 7, 8a
-
Clinical Systems Analyst
Bands 6, 7
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Infection Prevention Practitioner
Bands 6, 7
Band 7 pay over time
Band 7 pay rose from £47,810 to £49,387 at entry between 2025/26 and 2026/27, a 3.3% change. Top of band moved from £54,710 to £56,515.
Band 7 common questions
- What's the difference between a Band 7 ward manager and a Band 8a matron?
- A ward manager typically runs one ward. A matron usually has responsibility for several wards or a whole service area, with the ward managers reporting to them. The ward manager spends more time on day-to-day operations and direct clinical leadership; the matron spends more time on strategic issues, quality assurance and senior staff management.
- Do all advanced nurse practitioners earn Band 7?
- Most ANPs are banded at 7. Some senior ANPs and consultant nurses with extensive responsibility sit at Band 8a, particularly in primary care, specialist services or where the role includes significant non-medical prescribing autonomy. The banding reflects the responsibility and complexity of the role, not just the qualification.
- Is a Band 7 nurse the same as a sister or charge nurse?
- Often yes. In many Trusts, the ward sister or charge nurse role sits at Band 7. The titles are slightly old-fashioned (sister was traditionally female, charge nurse male), so many Trusts now use gender-neutral titles like ward manager or team leader. The job is much the same.
- Can I get a Band 7 job straight from a Masters degree?
- Sometimes. A Masters in advanced clinical practice plus relevant Band 6 experience is the usual route into an advanced practitioner role. Pure Masters with limited Band 6 experience is less likely to lead straight to Band 7, because most Band 7 roles want a track record of autonomous practice that you build up at Band 6.