NHS Band 2 pay 2026/27
Band 2 has been a single pay point since the entry and top steps merged. Everyone on the band is paid the same rate regardless of length of service, and it now sits just above the National Living Wage on an hourly basis.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Rate (all staff)£25,272
- Hourly (all staff)£12.92
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 2 pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All staff | £25,272 | £24,465 | £12.92 | Single rate for the band |
Hourly rates use the NHS standard divisor of 1,955.36 hours a year (37.5 hours × 52.143 weeks), the same method NHS Employers uses on the poster. Progression to each step needs the required time in post plus a satisfactory pay step review.
Who is on Band 2
Healthcare assistants, domestic and housekeeping staff, porters, catering assistants, nursery assistants.
London weighting
Band 2 staff in the capital get a high cost area supplement on top of the figures above: inner london adds 20% (between £5,794 and £8,746), outer london adds 15% (between £4,899 and £6,162), fringe adds 5% (between £1,339 and £2,323).
Common questions
How much does NHS Band 2 pay in 2026/27?
Band 2 pays a single rate of £25,272 a year in England from 1 April 2026, which is £12.92 an hour on the NHS standard week.
Why does Band 2 have only one rate?
The entry and top steps of Band 2 merged during earlier pay deals, so everyone on the band is paid £25,272 regardless of length of service.
What was Band 2 pay in 2025/26?
£24,465. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.