NHS Data Protection Officer salary, 2026/27
Data Protection Officers (DPOs) are mandated by UK GDPR for every NHS organisation. The role covers UK GDPR compliance, data subject rights requests, breach response and information governance training. NHS DPOs typically sit at Band 8a, with senior team members at Band 7.
- Range (England)
- £49,387 to £64,750
- Typical bands
- Band 7, Band 8a
- Hourly entry
- £25.26
- Hourly top
- £33.11
Data Protection Officer pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Data Protection Officers are typically paid on. Most Data Protection Officers move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Data Protection 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 Data Protection Officer on?
- NHS Data Protection Officers sit at Band 7 or Band 8a depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Data Protection 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 Data Protection Officer earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Data Protection Officer 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 Data Protection Officers earn between £52,845 and £70,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Data Protection 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 Data Protection Officer get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Data Protection 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 Data Protection Officers don't receive a London weighting equivalent.