NHS Theatre Nurse salary, 2026/27
Theatre nurses work in operating departments, scrubbing for surgical procedures, circulating in theatre, or providing anaesthetic support alongside the anaesthetist. Newly qualified theatre nurses start on Band 5 with an induction period in different theatre roles. Senior theatre nurses and theatre team leaders progress to Band 6, and theatre managers to Band 7. Operating department practitioners do similar work alongside theatre nurses.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £48,117
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £24.61
Theatre Nurse pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Theatre Nurses are typically paid on. Most Theatre Nurses move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Theatre Nurse 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 Theatre Nurse on?
- NHS Theatre Nurses sit at Band 5 or Band 6 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Theatre Nurses 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 Theatre Nurse earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Theatre Nurse earns between £32,073 and £48,117 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £16.40 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £24.61 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Theatre Nurses earn between £34,544 and £52,679 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Theatre Nurse 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 Theatre Nurse get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Theatre Nurses 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 Theatre Nurses don't receive a London weighting equivalent.