NHS Band 6 pay 2026/27
Band 6 is the first promotion step for most clinicians: senior staff nurse, deputy ward manager, specialist paramedic and similar roles. Progression is 2 years on entry, then 3 more to the top of the band.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Starting salary£39,959
- Top of band£48,117
- Hourly (top of band)£24.61
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 6 pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £39,959 | £38,682 | £20.44 | 2 years to next step |
| Intermediate | £42,170 | £40,823 | £21.57 | 3 years to next step |
| Top | £48,117 | £46,580 | £24.61 | 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 6
Senior staff nurses, ward deputies, health visitors, specialist paramedics, junior sisters, biomedical scientists, experienced midwives.
London weighting
Band 6 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 6 pay in 2026/27?
Band 6 pays between £39,959 and £48,117 a year in England from 1 April 2026. New starters begin on £39,959 and reach the top of the band through timed progression steps.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 6?
5 years, if each progression check is passed: 2 years at entry, then 3 years at intermediate.
What was Band 6 pay in 2025/26?
£38,682 to £46,580. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.