NHS Paediatric Occupational Therapist salary, 2026/27
Paediatric occupational therapists work with children with developmental, physical or sensory difficulties, supporting school readiness, fine motor skills and activities of daily living. The role spans child development centres, community OT teams and schools. Most paediatric OTs 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
Paediatric Occupational Therapist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Paediatric Occupational Therapists are typically paid on. Most Paediatric Occupational Therapists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Paediatric 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 Paediatric Occupational Therapist on?
- NHS Paediatric Occupational Therapists sit at Bands 5, 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Paediatric 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 Paediatric Occupational Therapist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Paediatric 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 Paediatric Occupational Therapists earn between £34,544 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Paediatric 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 Paediatric Occupational Therapist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Paediatric 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 Paediatric Occupational Therapists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.