NHS Acute Medical Nurse salary, 2026/27
Acute medical nurses work on acute medical units (AMUs) and short-stay medical wards, caring for patients in the first 72 hours after emergency medical admission. The role is fast-paced, with high patient turnover and a wide diagnostic mix. Newly qualified acute medical nurses start at Band 5, with senior practitioners at Band 6 and Band 7.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £56,515
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6, Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Acute Medical Nurse pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Acute Medical Nurses are typically paid on. Most Acute Medical Nurses move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Acute Medical Nurse pay in Scotland
Scottish NHS staff are paid on a separate pay scale, negotiated by the Scottish Government rather than the UK Pay Review Body. Scotland consistently pays more than England at every band. The figures below are the Scottish equivalents for the same bands.
Common questions
- What pay band is a Acute Medical Nurse on?
- NHS Acute Medical Nurses sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Acute Medical Nurses usually start on the lowest banding shown, with progression to the higher bands as they take on more senior or specialist work.
- How much does an NHS Acute Medical Nurse earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Acute Medical Nurse earns between £32,073 and £56,515 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £16.40 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £28.90 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Acute Medical Nurses earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Acute Medical Nurse jobs in the NHS?
- NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) lists all current vacancies across the four UK nations. Filter by 'Pay Band' to focus on roles at the band you're interested in. HSC Recruit covers Northern Ireland (jobs.hscni.net) and NHS Scotland Jobs covers Scotland (jobs.scot.nhs.uk). Most Trusts also list vacancies on their own websites alongside the national portal.
- Does Acute Medical Nurse get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Acute Medical Nurses working at Inner London Trusts get 20% on top of basic pay (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746 for 2026/27). Outer London is 15%, Fringe is 5%. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Acute Medical Nurses don't receive a London weighting equivalent.