NHS pay scales 2019/20
Annual pay scales for every NHS band in 2019/20, drawn from the official circular for each of the four UK nations.
The 2019/20 NHS pay deal
The 2019/20 pay round was the second year of the 2018-2021 three-year deal. It continued the restructure begun in 2018/19, consolidating legacy spine points and raising entry pay across all bands.
The 2019/20 figures were defined by the framework agreement signed in 2018 between the UK Government, NHS Employers and the major NHS trade unions. The deal phased in pay scale reform over three years, with progressive year-on-year changes rather than a single uplift percentage. NHS Employers published the implementing 2019/20 pay poster effective 1 April 2019.
Headline figures, 2019/20
The most-searched NHS bands are 5, 6 and 7, covering staff nurses, specialist nurses and ward managers. Entry salaries for these bands are shown below for each nation.
| Band | England | Scotland | Wales | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 entry | £24,214 | — | — | — |
| Band 6 entry | £30,401 | — | — | — |
| Band 7 entry | £37,570 | — | — | — |
What changed in 2019/20
The number of legacy spine points within each band continued to shrink. Band 1 was closed to new entrants, completing the change introduced under the 2018 deal. Entry pay at every band moved up. The scale was visibly moving towards the three-step (entry, intermediate, top) shape used from 2021/22 onwards.
Union response
Unions had recommended members vote to accept the three-year deal in 2018, judging it the best achievable outcome at the time. By 2019/20 the deal was being implemented as agreed, although early concerns were already being raised that the cash increases were being eroded by inflation faster than projected.
England
Pay scale, effective 2019-04-01
| Band | Minimum | Steps | Maximum | Hourly at top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 closed | £17,652 | 1 | Single rate | £9.03 |
| Band 2 | £17,652 | 3 | £19,020 | £9.73 |
| Band 3 | £18,813 | 4 | £20,795 | £10.63 |
| Band 4 | £21,089 | 5 | £23,761 | £12.15 |
| Band 5 | £24,214 | 5 | £30,112 | £15.40 |
| Band 6 | £30,401 | 5 | £37,267 | £19.06 |
| Band 7 | £37,570 | 5 | £43,772 | £22.39 |
| Band 8a | £44,606 | 4 | £50,819 | £25.99 |
| Band 8b | £52,306 | 4 | £60,983 | £31.19 |
| Band 8c | £61,777 | 4 | £72,597 | £37.13 |
| Band 8d | £73,936 | 4 | £86,687 | £44.33 |
| Band 9 | £89,537 | 4 | £103,860 | £53.12 |
England pay scales for 2019/20, effective 2019-04-01. Hourly rate uses the 37.5-hour NHS working week. Source: NHS TCS 2019 (AfC) pay poster — NHS Employers.
Common questions about 2019/20 NHS pay
- What is the NHS pay scale for 2019/20?
- The 2019/20 NHS pay scale applies to all Agenda for Change staff. Each UK nation publishes its own circular. The figures shown are drawn from the relevant official documents.
- Do all four UK nations pay the same NHS rates in 2019/20?
- No. Each nation negotiates its own pay scale. England, Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow the NHS Pay Review Body recommendation, while Scotland negotiates directly between the Scottish Government and trade unions. Differences are usually small at lower bands but can be larger at senior bands.
- Was 2019/20 a separate NHS pay deal?
- No. The 2019/20 figures were the second year of the 2018-2021 three-year framework deal. There was no separately negotiated 2019/20 settlement, and unions were not in dispute over the headline figures, although by the end of the year there were complaints that the cash increases were being eroded by inflation.
- When was Band 1 closed to new NHS entrants?
- Band 1 was closed to new entrants from 1 December 2018, as agreed in the 2018-2021 framework deal. Existing Band 1 staff retained their banding but the entry route was redirected to Band 2. The change had taken full effect by 2019/20.