NHS Director of Pharmacy salary, 2026/27
Directors of Pharmacy (also called Chief Pharmacists in some Trusts) lead the entire pharmacy service of an NHS Trust including clinical pharmacy, dispensing, aseptic services and medicines management. The role sits on or just below the Trust Board. Most Directors of Pharmacy are at Band 8d or Band 9.
- Range (England)
- £94,356 to £129,783
- Typical bands
- Band 8d, Band 9
- Hourly entry
- £48.25
- Hourly top
- £66.37
Director of Pharmacy pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Directors of Pharmacy are typically paid on. Most Directors of Pharmacy move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Director of Pharmacy 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 Director of Pharmacy on?
- NHS Directors of Pharmacy sit at Band 8d or Band 9 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Directors of Pharmacy 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 Director of Pharmacy earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Director of Pharmacy earns between £94,356 and £129,783 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £48.25 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £66.37 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Directors of Pharmacy earn between £107,810 and £133,044 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Director of Pharmacy 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 Director of Pharmacy get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Directors of Pharmacy 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 Directors of Pharmacy don't receive a London weighting equivalent.