NHS Band 7 pay 2026/27
Band 7 covers ward managers and advanced practice roles. Many advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) training posts are banded here, with the full ACP role at 8a on completion.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Starting salary£49,387
- Top of band£56,515
- Hourly (top of band)£28.90
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 7 pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £49,387 | £47,810 | £25.26 | 2 years to next step |
| Intermediate | £51,932 | £50,273 | £26.56 | 3 years to next step |
| Top | £56,515 | £54,710 | £28.90 | 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 7
Ward managers, advanced clinical practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, advanced paramedics, team leads across the allied health professions.
London weighting
Band 7 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 7 pay in 2026/27?
Band 7 pays between £49,387 and £56,515 a year in England from 1 April 2026. New starters begin on £49,387 and reach the top of the band through timed progression steps.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 7?
5 years, if each progression check is passed: 2 years at entry, then 3 years at intermediate.
What was Band 7 pay in 2025/26?
£47,810 to £54,710. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.