NHS Social Worker salary, 2026/27
NHS social workers support patients with care coordination, discharge planning, safeguarding and access to community services. The role requires a social work degree and Social Work England registration. Most NHS social workers are at Band 6, with senior social workers at Band 7 and team leaders at Band 8a.
- Range (England)
- £39,959 to £64,750
- Typical bands
- Band 6, Band 7, Band 8a
- Hourly entry
- £20.44
- Hourly top
- £33.11
Social Worker pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Social Workers are typically paid on. Most Social Workers move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Social Worker 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 Social Worker on?
- NHS Social Workers sit at Bands 6, 7 or Band 8a depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Social Workers 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 Social Worker earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Social Worker earns between £39,959 and £64,750 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £20.44 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £33.11 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Social Workers earn between £43,231 and £70,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Social Worker 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 Social Worker get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Social Workers 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 Social Workers don't receive a London weighting equivalent.