NHS Approved Mental Health Professional salary, 2026/27
Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) are specialist practitioners trained to make Mental Health Act assessments and arrange compulsory admissions to psychiatric care. The role is open to social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists and psychologists with specific AMHP training. Most AMHPs sit at Band 7, with senior AMHPs at Band 8a.
- Range (England)
- £49,387 to £64,750
- Typical bands
- Band 7, Band 8a
- Hourly entry
- £25.26
- Hourly top
- £33.11
Approved Mental Health Professional pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Approved Mental Health Professionals are typically paid on. Most Approved Mental Health Professionals move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Approved Mental Health Professional 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 Approved Mental Health Professional on?
- NHS Approved Mental Health Professionals sit at Band 7 or Band 8a depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Approved Mental Health Professionals 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 Approved Mental Health Professional earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Approved Mental Health Professional earns between £49,387 and £64,750 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £25.26 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 Approved Mental Health Professionals earn between £52,845 and £70,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Approved Mental Health Professional 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 Approved Mental Health Professional get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Approved Mental Health Professionals 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 Approved Mental Health Professionals don't receive a London weighting equivalent.