Every Agenda for Change band under the 2026/27 pay award (3.3% uplift, effective 1 April 2026), and what each salary is actually worth after tax.
The NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) system covers over one million NHS staff in England — nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics, admin staff, and allied health professionals. For 2026/27 all bands received a 3.3% uplift. Unlike most pay guides, the table below also shows what each band pays after Income Tax and National Insurance — the number that actually lands in your bank.
| Band | Salary range | Take-home / year | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 – £25,272 | £21,715 – £21,715 | £1,810 – £1,810 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 – £27,476 | £22,067 – £23,302 | £1,839 – £1,942 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 – £31,157 | £23,962 – £25,953 | £1,997 – £2,163 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 – £39,043 | £26,612 – £31,631 | £2,218 – £2,636 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 – £48,117 | £32,290 – £38,164 | £2,691 – £3,180 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 – £56,515 | £39,078 – £43,336 | £3,257 – £3,611 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 – £64,750 | £43,924 – £48,112 | £3,660 – £4,009 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 – £77,368 | £49,175 – £55,431 | £4,098 – £4,619 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 – £91,609 | £56,670 – £63,691 | £4,722 – £5,308 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 – £108,814 | £65,284 – £71,907 | £5,440 – £5,992 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 – £129,783 | £73,415 – £79,943 | £6,118 – £6,662 |
Take-home figures use 2026/27 England/Wales/NI rates (Income Tax + employee NI only, standard tax code, no pension or student loan deductions). Public-sector pension contributions will reduce take-home further — model yours with our Pension Tax Relief Calculator.
Bands 2–4 have entry and top steps only; Bands 5–9 add an intermediate step. You move up steps automatically with satisfactory service — typically reaching the top of Band 5 within four years. Promotion between bands requires applying for a role at the higher band. Unsocial hours enhancements (nights, weekends, bank holidays) are paid on top of basic salary under Section 2 rates and can add 15–30% for many clinical roles.
Most NHS staff are in the NHS Pension Scheme, with tiered employee contributions that rise with pay. It is one of the most valuable pensions in the UK — a career-average defined benefit scheme — so while contributions reduce your monthly take-home, opting out is almost never worth it.
Band 2 pays a single rate of £25,272 under the 2026/27 pay award — around £1,782 per month after tax and NI before pension deductions.
A newly qualified Band 5 on £32,073 takes home roughly £26,455 a year (about £2,205/month) after tax and NI, before NHS Pension contributions. See our Nurse Pay guide for full details.
Yes. Scotland and Wales negotiate separately and rates are typically slightly higher in Scotland. The figures on this page are the England rates effective 1 April 2026.
The 2026/27 award (3.3%) applies from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The next award will be recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body for April 2027.