NHS Midwife salary, 2026/27
Registered midwives qualify after a three-year midwifery degree and NMC registration. Most newly qualified midwives start on Band 5 with progression to Band 6 after a defined preceptorship period (usually 12 to 18 months). Midwives work across antenatal clinics, labour wards, postnatal wards and community midwifery teams. Some Trusts now recruit straight to Band 6 because of national shortages.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £48,117
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £24.61
Midwife pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Midwives are typically paid on. Most Midwives move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Midwife 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 Midwife on?
- NHS Midwives sit at Band 5 or Band 6 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Midwives 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 Midwife earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Midwife earns between £32,073 and £48,117 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 £24.61 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Midwives earn between £34,544 and £52,679 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Midwife 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 Midwife get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Midwives 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 Midwives don't receive a London weighting equivalent.