NHS Physiotherapy Assistant salary, 2026/27
Physiotherapy assistants support registered physiotherapists with delivery of exercise programmes, patient mobilisation and post-op care under supervision. The role typically requires NVQ level 3 or the Physiotherapy Assistant Apprenticeship. Most physio assistants are at Band 3 or Band 4.
- Range (England)
- £25,760 to £31,157
- Typical bands
- Band 3, Band 4
- Hourly entry
- £13.17
- Hourly top
- £15.93
Physiotherapy Assistant pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Physiotherapy Assistants are typically paid on. Most Physiotherapy Assistants move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Physiotherapy Assistant salary after tax, 2026/27
The figures below show Physiotherapy Assistant take-home pay — the cash that lands in your bank account after income tax, employee National Insurance and the NHS pension contribution on the 2026/27 England scale. They exclude London weighting, unsocial hours and overtime. The band-level take-home pages have the full step-by-step breakdown and London weighting variants.
Gross vs net at the top of each band on the 2026/27 England scale
| Band | Entry net | Top net | Monthly at top | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 3 | £20,727 | £21,874 | £1,823 | Full breakdown |
| Band 4 | £22,485 | £23,884 | £1,990 | Full breakdown |
Assumes full-time pay, standard NHS Pension membership and no student loan. Open the band's take-home page for London weighting variants, or use the calculator to add part-time hours, student loan, or HCAS.
Physiotherapy Assistant career pay progression
Most Physiotherapy Assistants progress through more than one band over their career. The path below shows the typical pay journey on the 2026/27 England scale, from entry at the lowest banding to the top step at the highest. Promotion between bands depends on additional qualifications, experience or moving into a more senior post; it isn't automatic.
- 1 Step timeline
Band 3 £25,760 to £27,476 gross
Top step net: £21,874 a year (£1,823/month). 2 steps; 2 years from entry to top.
- 2 Step timeline
Band 4 £28,392 to £31,157 gross
Top step net: £23,884 a year (£1,990/month). 2 steps; 3 years from entry to top.
Across the typical Physiotherapy Assistant career on the 2026/27 England scale, gross pay rises by £5,397 a year from entry on Band 3 (£25,760) to the top of Band 4 (£31,157). National pay deals add a further cost-of-living rise on top each April.
Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy Assistant on?
- NHS Physiotherapy Assistants sit at Band 3 or Band 4 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy Assistant earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy Assistants earn between £29,103 and £34,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Physiotherapy 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.
- What is an NHS Physiotherapy Assistant salary after tax?
- An NHS Physiotherapy Assistant starting on Band 3 (£25,760 gross) takes home around £20,727 a year after income tax, employee National Insurance and the NHS pension contribution — about £1,727 a month. At the top of Band 4 (£31,157 gross), take-home pay rises to £23,884 a year, or £1,990 a month. The figures exclude student loan repayments, unsocial hours and London weighting.
- Does Physiotherapy Assistant get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy Assistants don't receive a London weighting equivalent.