NHS Specialist Pharmacist salary, 2026/27
Specialist pharmacists lead pharmacy services in a defined clinical area: oncology, critical care, cardiology, paediatrics, mental health and many more. The role requires significant post-registration experience plus a postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy. Specialist pharmacists are typically banded at 8a, with senior specialist roles at Band 8b.
- Range (England)
- £57,528 to £64,750
- Typical band
- Band 8a
- Hourly entry
- £29.42
- Hourly top
- £33.11
Specialist Pharmacist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Specialist Pharmacists are typically paid on. Most Specialist Pharmacists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Specialist Pharmacist 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.
| Band (Scotland) | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
| Band 8a | £65,125 | £70,303 |
Common questions
- What pay band is a Specialist Pharmacist on?
- Most NHS Specialist Pharmacists are banded at Band 8a. The exact responsibility level can vary slightly between Trusts, but the banding is consistent across the NHS because the Job Evaluation Scheme produces the same score for the same job description.
- How much does an NHS Specialist Pharmacist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Specialist Pharmacist earns between £57,528 and £64,750 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £29.42 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 Specialist Pharmacists earn between £65,125 and £70,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Specialist Pharmacist 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 Specialist Pharmacist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Specialist Pharmacists 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 Specialist Pharmacists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.