NHS Emergency Care Assistant salary, 2026/27
Emergency care assistants (ECAs) support paramedics and technicians on emergency calls, driving the ambulance and assisting with patient care. The role is typically banded at 3 or 4 depending on the ambulance service. ECAs often go on to complete the AAP apprenticeship and progress to Ambulance Technician at Band 4 or 5.
- Range (England)
- £25,760 to £31,157
- Typical bands
- Band 3, Band 4
- Hourly entry
- £13.17
- Hourly top
- £15.93
Emergency Care Assistant pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Emergency Care Assistants are typically paid on. Most Emergency Care Assistants move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Emergency Care 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.
Common questions
- What pay band is a Emergency Care Assistant on?
- NHS Emergency Care Assistants sit at Band 3 or Band 4 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Emergency Care Assistants 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 Emergency Care Assistant earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Emergency Care Assistant earns between £25,760 and £31,157 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £13.17 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £15.93 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Emergency Care Assistants earn between £29,103 and £34,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Emergency Care 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 Emergency Care Assistant get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Emergency Care 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 Emergency Care Assistants don't receive a London weighting equivalent.