NHS Band 4 pay 2026/27
Band 4 has two pay points, with 3 years on the entry rate before you are eligible for the top of the band. It is the usual grade for assistant practitioner and senior administrative roles.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Starting salary£28,392
- Top of band£31,157
- Hourly (top of band)£15.93
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 4 pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £28,392 | £27,485 | £14.52 | 3 years to next step |
| Top | £31,157 | £30,162 | £15.93 | Top of 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 4
Assistant practitioners, associate ambulance practitioners, dental nurses, audiology assistants, medical secretaries, team administrators.
London weighting
Band 4 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 4 pay in 2026/27?
Band 4 pays between £28,392 and £31,157 a year in England from 1 April 2026. New starters begin on £28,392 and reach the top of the band through timed progression steps.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 4?
3 years, if each progression check is passed: 3 years at entry.
What was Band 4 pay in 2025/26?
£27,485 to £30,162. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.