NHS Community Nurse salary, 2026/27
Community nurses, also called district nurses at higher bands, provide nursing care to patients in their own homes. The role covers wound care, medication management, palliative care support, catheter care and chronic disease management. Newly qualified community staff nurses sit at Band 5; experienced district nurses are at Band 6, with team leaders at Band 7. Most community nursing teams sit within community NHS Trusts rather than acute hospital Trusts.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £56,515
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6, Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Community Nurse pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Community Nurses are typically paid on. Most Community Nurses move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Community 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 Community Nurse on?
- NHS Community Nurses sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Community 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 Community Nurse earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Community 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 Community Nurses earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Community 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 Community Nurse get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Community 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 Community Nurses don't receive a London weighting equivalent.