NHS Forensic Mental Health Nurse salary, 2026/27
Forensic mental health nurses work in secure mental health units (low, medium and high secure) and forensic community teams, supporting patients with serious mental illness who are also subject to legal restrictions under the Mental Health Act. The role requires substantial mental health nursing experience plus specialist training. Most forensic nurses sit at Band 5 to Band 7.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £56,515
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6, Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Forensic Mental Health Nurse pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Forensic Mental Health Nurses are typically paid on. Most Forensic Mental Health Nurses move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Forensic Mental Health Nurse 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 Forensic Mental Health Nurse on?
- NHS Forensic Mental Health Nurses sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Forensic Mental Health Nurses 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 Forensic Mental Health Nurse earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Forensic Mental Health Nurse earns between £32,073 and £56,515 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £16.40 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £28.90 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Forensic Mental Health Nurses earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Forensic Mental Health Nurse 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 Forensic Mental Health Nurse get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Forensic Mental Health Nurses 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 Forensic Mental Health Nurses don't receive a London weighting equivalent.