NHS pay bands 2026/27
Every Agenda for Change salary in England from 1 April 2026, after the 3.3% pay award. These are the figures on the official NHS Employers pay poster, reproduced exactly.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
| Band | Entry | Intermediate | Top of band | Top rate hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | — | single rate | £12.92 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | — | £27,476 | £14.05 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | — | £31,157 | £15.93 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £34,592 | £39,043 | £19.97 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £42,170 | £48,117 | £24.61 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £51,932 | £56,515 | £28.90 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £60,417 | £64,750 | £33.11 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £70,896 | £77,368 | £39.57 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £84,346 | £91,609 | £46.85 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £100,140 | £108,814 | £55.65 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £119,583 | £129,783 | £66.37 |
Band 1 is closed to new entrants and pays £25,272. Hourly rates use the NHS standard divisor (37.5 hours × 52.143 weeks). Click any band for its step-by-step progression, typical roles and last year's figures.
London and fringe supplements (HCAS)
Staff in and around London get a high cost area supplement on top of basic pay, with a minimum and maximum cash value.
| Zone | Rate | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | 20% of basic pay | £5,794 | £8,746 |
| Outer London | 15% of basic pay | £4,899 | £6,162 |
| Fringe | 5% of basic pay | £1,339 | £2,323 |
Band pages
- Band 2£25,272
- Band 3£25,760 – £27,476
- Band 4£28,392 – £31,157
- Band 5£32,073 – £39,043
- Band 6£39,959 – £48,117
- Band 7£49,387 – £56,515
- Band 8a£57,528 – £64,750
- Band 8b£66,582 – £77,368
- Band 8c£79,504 – £91,609
- Band 8d£94,356 – £108,814
- Band 9£112,782 – £129,783
Common questions
What are the NHS pay bands for 2026/27?
NHS Agenda for Change pay in England runs from £25,272 at Band 2 to £129,783 at the top of Band 9, effective 1 April 2026 after a 3.3% pay rise. Band 5, where newly qualified nurses start, runs from £32,073 to £39,043.
When was the 3.3% NHS pay rise paid?
The government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body recommendation in full on 12 February 2026, and the rise was in April 2026 pay packets. It was the first time in six years the award was paid on time rather than backdated.
How do NHS pay steps work?
Each band has an entry rate and a top rate, with an intermediate step in bands 5 and above. You move up when you reach the required years in post and pass a pay progression check with your manager: 2 years to the first step, then 2 to 3 more to the top depending on the band.
Do the same bands apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
The band structure is the same but the rates differ. Scotland negotiates separately and pays more at most bands on a shorter 36-hour week; see the NHS Scotland page for the 2026/27 table. Wales broadly matches the England award. Northern Ireland typically confirms its uplift later.