NHS Domestic Assistant salary, 2026/27
Domestic assistants (also called cleaners or housekeeping assistants) clean wards, clinical areas and public spaces to NHS infection control standards. The role is consistently banded at 2. Some Trusts outsource domestic services to a private contractor, in which case staff are not on Agenda for Change at all.
- Range (England)
- £25,272 to £25,272
- Typical band
- Band 2
- Hourly entry
- £12.92
- Hourly top
- £12.92
Domestic Assistant pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Domestic Assistants are typically paid on. Most Domestic Assistants move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Domestic Assistant 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.
| Band (Scotland) | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £26,696 | £28,988 |
Common questions
- What pay band is a Domestic Assistant on?
- Most NHS Domestic Assistants are banded at Band 2. The exact responsibility level can vary slightly between Trusts, but the banding is consistent across the NHS because the Job Evaluation Scheme produces the same score for the same job description.
- How much does an NHS Domestic Assistant earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Domestic Assistant earns between £25,272 and £25,272 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £12.92 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £12.92 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Domestic Assistants earn between £26,696 and £28,988 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Domestic Assistant 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 Domestic Assistant get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Domestic Assistants 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 Domestic Assistants don't receive a London weighting equivalent.