NHS Ward Sister salary, 2026/27
Ward sisters (or charge nurses) are the senior nurse leaders for individual hospital wards. They lead the nursing team, oversee patient care, manage rotas, and act as the link between the ward and senior nursing management. Most ward sisters are Band 7, with deputy ward sisters at Band 6.
- Range (England)
- £39,959 to £56,515
- Typical bands
- Band 6, Band 7
- Hourly entry
- £20.44
- Hourly top
- £28.90
Ward Sister pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Ward Sisters are typically paid on. Most Ward Sisters move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Ward Sister 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 Ward Sister on?
- NHS Ward Sisters sit at Band 6 or Band 7 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Ward Sisters 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 Ward Sister earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Ward Sister earns between £39,959 and £56,515 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £20.44 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 Ward Sisters earn between £43,231 and £61,466 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Ward Sister 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 Ward Sister get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Ward Sisters 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 Ward Sisters don't receive a London weighting equivalent.