NHS Antimicrobial Pharmacist salary, 2026/27
Antimicrobial pharmacists lead Trust antimicrobial stewardship programmes, monitoring antibiotic use, managing resistance, and supporting infection treatment decisions across the organisation. The role requires significant clinical pharmacy experience plus a postgraduate diploma in infection management. Most antimicrobial pharmacists are at Band 8a.
- Range (England)
- £57,528 to £64,750
- Typical band
- Band 8a
- Hourly entry
- £29.42
- Hourly top
- £33.11
Antimicrobial Pharmacist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Antimicrobial Pharmacists are typically paid on. Most Antimicrobial Pharmacists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Antimicrobial Pharmacist 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.
| Band (Scotland) | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
| Band 8a | £65,125 | £70,303 |
Common questions
- What pay band is a Antimicrobial Pharmacist on?
- Most NHS Antimicrobial Pharmacists are banded at Band 8a. The exact responsibility level can vary slightly between Trusts, but the banding is consistent across the NHS because the Job Evaluation Scheme produces the same score for the same job description.
- How much does an NHS Antimicrobial Pharmacist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Antimicrobial Pharmacist earns between £57,528 and £64,750 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £29.42 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £33.11 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Antimicrobial Pharmacists earn between £65,125 and £70,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Antimicrobial Pharmacist 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 Antimicrobial Pharmacist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Antimicrobial Pharmacists 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 Antimicrobial Pharmacists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.