NHS Charge Nurse salary, 2026/27
Charge nurse is the gender-neutral title for the senior nurse leader on a ward. The role is interchangeable with ward sister and covers shift coordination, staff supervision, rota management and patient experience. Most charge nurses are Band 6 or 7 depending on whether they are deputy or lead.
- Range (England)
- £39,959 to £56,515
- Typical bands
- Band 6, Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £20.44
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Charge Nurse pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Charge Nurses are typically paid on. Most Charge Nurses move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Charge 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 Charge Nurse on?
- NHS Charge Nurses sit at Band 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Charge 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 Charge Nurse earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Charge Nurse earns between £39,959 and £56,515 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £20.44 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 Charge Nurses earn between £43,231 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Charge 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 Charge Nurse get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Charge 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 Charge Nurses don't receive a London weighting equivalent.