NHS Speech and Language Therapy Assistant salary, 2026/27

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant pay by band, England 2026/27

The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Speech and Language Therapy Assistants are typically paid on. Most Speech and Language Therapy Assistants move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant salary after tax, 2026/27

The figures below show Speech and Language Therapy 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.

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant career pay progression

Most Speech and Language Therapy 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. 1

   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.

   Step timeline
2. 2

   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.

   Step timeline

Across the typical Speech and Language Therapy 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.

Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant on?

NHS Speech and Language Therapy Assistants sit at Band 3 or Band 4 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant earn in 2026/27?

On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistants earn between £29,103 and £34,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.

Where can I find Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant salary after tax?

An NHS Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant get London weighting?

Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Speech and Language Therapy 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 Speech and Language Therapy Assistants don't receive a London weighting equivalent.