NHS pay bands 2026/27
Agenda for Change groups every NHS role on bands 1 through 9, with sub-bands at 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. Pick a band for the full pay scale, progression timeline, hourly rate, example roles and how it compares across the four UK nations.
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Band 1
closed to new entrantsClosed to new entrants. Held by remaining staff who were not migrated to Band 2.
- Salary
- £25,272
- Hourly at top
- £12.92
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Band 2
Entry-level support roles across NHS clinical and non-clinical services.
- Salary
- £25,272
- Hourly at top
- £12.92
-
Band 3
Senior support and entry administrative roles.
- Salary
- £25,760 to £27,476
- Hourly at top
- £14.05
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Band 4
Senior assistant practitioners and team leaders below registered professional level.
- Salary
- £28,392 to £31,157
- Hourly at top
- £15.93
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Band 5
Newly qualified registered professional roles — the entry point for nurses, midwives, AHPs and similar.
- Salary
- £32,073 to £39,043
- Hourly at top
- £19.97
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Band 6
Specialist and senior practitioner roles, including most experienced nurses and AHPs.
- Salary
- £39,959 to £48,117
- Hourly at top
- £24.61
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Band 7
Advanced practitioners, ward managers and clinical team leads.
- Salary
- £49,387 to £56,515
- Hourly at top
- £28.90
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Band 8a
Clinical leads, matrons and senior managers in larger services.
- Salary
- £57,528 to £64,750
- Hourly at top
- £33.11
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Band 8b
Senior service leads and consultant practitioners.
- Salary
- £66,582 to £77,368
- Hourly at top
- £39.57
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Band 8c
Heads of profession and senior operational managers.
- Salary
- £79,504 to £91,609
- Hourly at top
- £46.85
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Band 8d
Deputy directors and large-service heads.
- Salary
- £94,356 to £108,814
- Hourly at top
- £55.65
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Band 9
Trust-level directors of profession. Senior medical staff and very senior managers are paid separately.
- Salary
- £112,782 to £129,783
- Hourly at top
- £66.37