NHS Mental Health Occupational Therapist salary, 2026/27
Mental health occupational therapists support people with mental illness to engage in meaningful activity, return to work and live independently. The role spans inpatient mental health wards, community teams and recovery services. Newly qualified mental health OTs start at Band 5, with senior practitioners at Band 6 and 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
Calculate Mental Health Occupational Therapist take-home pay
Mental Health Occupational Therapist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Mental Health Occupational Therapists are typically paid on. Most Mental Health Occupational Therapists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Mental Health Occupational Therapist 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 Mental Health Occupational Therapist on?
- NHS Mental Health Occupational Therapists sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Mental Health Occupational Therapists 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 Mental Health Occupational Therapist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Mental Health Occupational Therapist 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 Mental Health Occupational Therapists earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Mental Health Occupational Therapist 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 Mental Health Occupational Therapist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Mental Health Occupational Therapists 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 Mental Health Occupational Therapists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.