NHS Surgical Care Practitioner salary, 2026/27
Surgical care practitioners (SCPs) are nurses, ODPs or AHPs who have completed advanced training to assist at and sometimes lead specific surgical procedures. The role requires a Masters in surgical care practice. SCPs are consistently banded at 7 across the NHS.
- Range (England)
- £49,387 to £56,515
- Typical band
- Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £25.26
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Surgical Care Practitioner pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Surgical Care Practitioners are typically paid on. Most Surgical Care Practitioners move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Surgical Care Practitioner 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 7 | £52,845 | £61,466 |
Common questions
- What pay band is a Surgical Care Practitioner on?
- Most NHS Surgical Care Practitioners are banded at Band 7. 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 Surgical Care Practitioner earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Surgical Care Practitioner earns between £49,387 and £56,515 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £25.26 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £28.90 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Surgical Care Practitioners earn between £52,845 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Surgical Care Practitioner 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 Surgical Care Practitioner get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Surgical Care Practitioners 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 Surgical Care Practitioners don't receive a London weighting equivalent.