NHS Band 9 pay 2026/27
Band 9 is the top of Agenda for Change. Roles above it (chief executives, executive directors) sit outside AfC on the separate Very Senior Manager framework.
Checked 7 September 2026 · NHS Employers pay scales poster (Feb 2026)
- Starting salary£112,782
- Top of band£129,783
- Hourly (top of band)£66.37
- 2026 pay rise3.3%
Band 9 pay steps
| Step | 2026/27 salary | 2025/26 salary | Hourly (2026/27) | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £112,782 | £109,179 | £57.68 | 2 years to next step |
| Intermediate | £119,583 | £115,763 | £61.16 | 3 years to next step |
| Top | £129,783 | £125,637 | £66.37 | 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 9
Directors of nursing at large trusts, chief allied health professionals, the most senior clinical and scientific leaders below board level.
London weighting
Band 9 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 9 pay in 2026/27?
Band 9 pays between £112,782 and £129,783 a year in England from 1 April 2026. New starters begin on £112,782 and reach the top of the band through timed progression steps.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 9?
5 years, if each progression check is passed: 2 years at entry, then 3 years at intermediate.
What was Band 9 pay in 2025/26?
£109,179 to £125,637. The 3.3% award from 1 April 2026 took it to the current figures.