NHS Sterile Services Technician salary, 2026/27
Sterile services technicians decontaminate, inspect, pack and sterilise surgical instruments and equipment used in theatres and clinical procedures. The role requires the Institute of Decontamination Sciences technical certificate. Most sterile services technicians are at Band 2 or Band 3, with senior technicians and team leaders at Band 4.
- Range (England)
- £25,272 to £31,157
- Typical bands
- Band 2, Band 3, Band 4
- Hourly entry
- £12.92
- Hourly top
- £15.93
Sterile Services Technician pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Sterile Services Technicians are typically paid on. Most Sterile Services Technicians move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Sterile Services Technician 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 Sterile Services Technician on?
- NHS Sterile Services Technicians sit at Bands 2, 3 or Band 4 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Sterile Services Technicians 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 Sterile Services Technician earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Sterile Services Technician earns between £25,272 and £31,157 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £12.92 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 Sterile Services Technicians earn between £26,696 and £34,303 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Sterile Services Technician 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 Sterile Services Technician get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Sterile Services Technicians 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 Sterile Services Technicians don't receive a London weighting equivalent.