NHS Pay Calculator 2026–2027 (AfC Bands)
Estimate take-home pay for all NHS Agenda for Change bands, including London Weighting and NHS pension contributions.
Typical: 5.2%–12.5% depending on salary (salary sacrifice, pre-tax)
Basic + Weighting
£29,969
NHS Pension
£2,937
Income Tax
£2,892
National Insurance
£1,157
Take-Home (Year)
£22,983
Take-Home (Month)
£1,915
Typical roles: Staff Nurse (RN), Newly Qualified Nurse, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Radiographer
All NHS AfC Bands — Salary Range 2026–2027
| Band | Min Salary | Max Salary | Take-Home (Min) | Take-Home (Max) | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £24,169 | £25,674 | £20,921 | £22,005 | Healthcare Assistant |
| Band 3 | £26,530 | £28,163 | £22,621 | £23,797 | Senior Healthcare Assistant |
| Band 4 | £29,114 | £31,158 | £24,481 | £25,953 | Assistant Practitioner |
| Band 5 | £29,969 | £36,483 | £25,097 | £29,787 | Staff Nurse (RN) |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £44,962 | £30,403 | £35,893 | Senior Staff Nurse |
| Band 7 | £46,148 | £52,809 | £36,746 | £41,186 | Ward Manager |
| Band 8a | £53,755 | £60,504 | £41,735 | £45,649 | Modern Matron |
| Band 8b | £62,215 | £72,293 | £46,642 | £52,488 | Head of Nursing |
| Band 8c | £74,290 | £85,601 | £53,646 | £60,206 | Director of Nursing (Deputy) |
| Band 8d | £88,168 | £101,677 | £61,695 | £69,363 | Chief Nurse (smaller trust) |
| Band 9 | £105,385 | £121,271 | £71,143 | £78,768 | Chief Executive (smaller trust) |
Take-home estimates: England/Wales, no London weighting, no pension, standard tax code 1257L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay bands?
Agenda for Change is the pay system for most NHS staff (excluding doctors, dentists, and some senior managers). It has Bands 2–9, with pay rising through spine points within each band based on length of service and development.
Do NHS staff pay the same tax as everyone else?
Yes. NHS employees pay income tax and National Insurance at exactly the same rates as any other PAYE employee. However, NHS pension contributions (to the NHS Pension Scheme) are made before tax, reducing taxable income.
What is London Weighting for NHS staff?
NHS staff working in London areas receive a High Cost Area Supplement: 20% of basic pay (min £5,132) for Inner London, 15% (min £4,206) for Outer London, and 5% (min £1,192) for the London Fringe zone.
What is the NHS pension contribution rate?
NHS pension contributions in 2026–27 are tiered: 5.2% on earnings up to £13,259; 6.5% up to £26,831; 8.3% up to £30,559; 9.8% up to £48,982; 10.7% up to £56,023; and 12.5% above £56,023. These are employee contributions only.