NHS Band 8c pay 2026/27
Band 8c is a head-of-service grade. Posts usually manage several teams or an entire clinical discipline across a trust.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Starting salary£79,504
- Top of band£91,609
- Hourly (top of band)£46.85
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 8c pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £79,504 | £76,965 | £40.66 | 2 years to next step |
| Intermediate | £84,346 | £81,652 | £43.14 | 3 years to next step |
| Top | £91,609 | £88,682 | £46.85 | 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 8c
Heads of nursing, consultant clinical psychologists, associate directors, heads of larger clinical services.
London weighting
Band 8c 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 8c pay in 2026/27?
Band 8c pays between £79,504 and £91,609 a year in England from 1 April 2026. New starters begin on £79,504 and reach the top of the band through timed progression steps.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 8c?
5 years, if each progression check is passed: 2 years at entry, then 3 years at intermediate.
What was Band 8c pay in 2025/26?
£76,965 to £88,682. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.