NHS Internal Audit Officer salary, 2026/27
Internal audit officers review financial, operational and clinical processes across NHS Trusts to assess compliance and risk. The role typically requires AAT or CIA qualifications. Most NHS internal auditors are at Band 5 to 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
Internal Audit Officer pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Internal Audit Officers are typically paid on. Most Internal Audit Officers move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Internal Audit Officer 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 Internal Audit Officer on?
- NHS Internal Audit Officers sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Internal Audit Officers 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 Internal Audit Officer earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Internal Audit Officer 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 Internal Audit Officers earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Internal Audit Officer 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 Internal Audit Officer get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Internal Audit Officers 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 Internal Audit Officers don't receive a London weighting equivalent.