NHS Scotland pay bands 2026/27
NHS Scotland agreed its pay separately from England: a two-year deal worth 4.4% in 2025/26 and 3.75% from 1 April 2026, negotiated through the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee, alongside a move to a 36-hour standard week. These are the 2026/27 rates from the official Scottish Government circular, PCS(AFC)2026/1.
Checked 7 September 2026 · gov.scot NHS pay rates
| Band | Lowest point | Highest point | All points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £26,557 | £26,557 | £26,557 |
| Band 2 | £26,696 | £28,988 | £26,696 · £28,988 |
| Band 3 | £29,103 | £31,409 | £29,103 · £31,409 |
| Band 4 | £31,537 | £34,303 | £31,537 · £34,303 |
| Band 5 | £34,544 | £43,039 | £34,544 · £36,911 · £43,039 |
| Band 6 | £43,231 | £52,679 | £43,231 · £45,135 · £52,679 |
| Band 7 | £52,845 | £61,466 | £52,845 · £54,863 · £61,466 |
| Band 8a | £65,125 | £70,303 | £65,125 · £70,303 |
| Band 8b | £76,888 | £82,251 | £76,888 · £82,251 |
| Band 8c | £90,808 | £97,338 | £90,808 · £97,338 |
| Band 8d | £107,810 | £112,426 | £107,810 · £112,426 |
| Band 9 | £127,521 | £133,044 | £127,521 · £133,044 |
Unlike England, Band 1 remains open in Scotland. Hourly rates published by gov.scot are based on the reduced 36-hour week, which makes like-for-like hourly comparisons with England favour Scotland even more than the annual figures do.
Scotland against England, band by band
At Band 2, Scotland pays £26,696 to £28,988 against England's single £25,272 rate. At Band 5, Scotland's top point is £43,039 against £39,043 in England. The gap widens up the scale: Band 8a tops out at £70,303 in Scotland and £64,750 in England. England's London supplements close some of the gap for staff in the capital; everywhere else the Scottish rates are simply higher.
Common questions
What are the NHS Scotland pay bands for 2026/27?
From 1 April 2026, NHS Scotland Agenda for Change pay runs from £26,557 at Band 1 to £133,044 at the top of Band 9, after a 3.75% uplift. A Band 5 nurse in Scotland is paid £34,544 to £43,039.
Why is NHS pay higher in Scotland than England?
Scotland negotiates its own deals directly with unions through the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee rather than the UK pay review body, and recent settlements have been larger. Scottish staff are also on a 36-hour standard week against 37.5 in England, which raises the hourly gap further.
How does a Band 5 nurse in Scotland compare with England?
Scotland pays £34,544 to £43,039 for Band 5 in 2026/27, against £32,073 to £39,043 in England: £2,471 more on entry and £3,996 more at the top, on a shorter working week.