NHS Take Home Pay

Note: The NHS 25/26 Salary has not been finalised yet, the most recent pay update was for April 2024. The salaries below reflect take home pay for a standard employee without a student loan, but does include deductions for the NHS Pension. 

If you're considering a career in the NHS or are already part of the workforce, understanding how NHS pay works is crucial. The NHS pay structure is governed by the Agenda for Change (AfC) — a national pay system covering most NHS staff, excluding doctors, dentists, and very senior managers. This article outlines the latest pay rates as of April 2024 and explains how pay progression works. 

How the Pay Bands Work 

There are nine pay bands in the Agenda for Change system, and each band contains pay points which correspond to levels of experience. Staff typically move up within a band based on years of service, subject to satisfactory performance. 

In addition to basic salary, employees in certain parts of the UK receive High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) — extra pay to reflect the increased cost of living, especially around London. 

NHS Pay Bands and Salary Ranges (April 2024) 

Band 2 

• < 2 years' experience: £23,615 (Take Home £1608 per month) 

• 2+ years: £23,615 (Take Home £1608 per month)
  Examples: Healthcare assistant, domestic team leader, typist, security officer 

Band 3 

• < 2 years: £24,071 (Take home £1633 per month) 

• 2+ years: £25,674 (Take home £1723 per month) 
  Examples: Emergency care assistant, trainee clinical coder, OT support worker 

Band 4 

• < 3 years: £26,530 (Take home £1770 per month) 

• 3+ years: £29,114 (Take home £1879 per month) 
  Examples: Assistant practitioner, pharmacy technician, dental nurse 

Band 5 

• < 2 years: £29,970 (Take home £1926 per month) 

• 2–4 years: £32,324 (Take home £2054 per month) 

• 4+ years: £36,483 (Take home £2244 per month) 
  Examples: Nurse, ODP, podiatrist, radiographer 

Band 6 

• < 2 years: £37,338 (Take home £2290 per month) 

• 2–5 years: £39,405 (Take home £2400 per month) 

• 5+ years: £44,962 (Take home £2697 per month) 
  Examples: Paramedic, school nurse, health records manager 

Band 7 

• < 2 years: £46,148  (Take home £2761 per month) 

• 2–5 years: £48,526 (Take home £2888 per month) 

• 5+ years: £52,809 (Take home £3098 per month) 
  Examples: Advanced speech and language therapist, estates manager, comms manager 

For the latest take home calculations please visit NHS Take Home Pay Calculator 

Band 8a 

• < 2 years: £53,755 

• 2–5 years: £56,454 

• 5+ years: £60,504 
  Examples: Nurse consultant, project manager, modern matron 

Band 8b 

• < 2 years: £62,215 

• 2–5 years: £66,246 

• 5+ years: £72,293 
  Examples: Head of education, service manager, strategic management roles 

Band 8c 

• < 2 years: £74,290 

• 2–5 years: £78,814 

• 5+ years: £85,601 
  Examples: HR head, consultant scientist, consultant paramedic 

Band 8d 

• < 2 years: £88,168 

• 2–5 years: £93,572 

• 5+ years: £101,677 
  Examples: Chief nurse, estates manager, consultant psychologist 

Band 9 

• < 2 years: £105,385 

• 2–5 years: £111,740 

• 5+ years: £121,271 
  Examples: Director of estates, podiatric consultant, chief finance manager 

High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) 

Additional pay is available to NHS staff working in more expensive areas: 

• Inner London: 20% of basic pay (min £5,414, max £8,172) 

• Outer London: 15% of basic pay (min £4,551, max £5,735) 

• Fringe areas: 5% of basic pay (min £1,258, max £2,122) 

These allowances help ensure fair compensation in high-cost regions. 

💡 Top Tips for Understanding NHS Pay 

Know Your Band – Roles are assigned bands based on duties and qualifications. Make sure you know which band your job falls into to understand your salary range. 

Experience Matters – Your pay increases with years of service within the band. If you’re starting a new role, clarify where you'll begin on the scale. 

Factor in Location – If you work in or near London, your take-home pay may include a high cost area supplement—don’t overlook this when comparing offers. 

Check Job Descriptions Carefully – The same job title can sometimes span multiple bands depending on the level of responsibility or setting. 

Use Official Tools – Visit the NHS Employers website to see the full NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook and explore job roles. 

Final Thoughts 

The NHS pay system is structured, transparent, and designed to reward experience and responsibility. Whether you're applying from overseas or transitioning within the UK health sector, understanding how Agenda for Change works is the key to knowing what you’re worth. 

Explore the NHS Careers website to see what role might suit you — and what salary to expect. 

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