NHS Critical Care Pharmacist salary, 2026/27
Critical care pharmacists support intensive care and high dependency units, managing complex medication regimens including sedation, vasoactive drugs, antibiotics and parenteral nutrition. The role usually requires the UKCPA Critical Care Foundation Certificate plus extensive ICU experience. Most critical care pharmacists are at Band 8a.
- Range (England)
- £57,528 to £77,368
- Typical bands
- Band 8a, Band 8b
- Hourly entry
- £29.42
- Hourly top
- £39.57
Critical Care Pharmacist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Critical Care Pharmacists are typically paid on. Most Critical Care Pharmacists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Critical Care 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.
Common questions
- What pay band is a Critical Care Pharmacist on?
- NHS Critical Care Pharmacists sit at Band 8a or Band 8b depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Critical Care Pharmacists 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 Critical Care Pharmacist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Critical Care Pharmacist earns between £57,528 and £77,368 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 £39.57 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Critical Care Pharmacists earn between £65,125 and £82,251 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Critical Care 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 Critical Care Pharmacist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Critical Care 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 Critical Care Pharmacists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.