✓ Updated for 2026/27 — 3.3% pay award confirmed

NHS Take Home Pay Calculator 2026/27

Calculate your exact take-home pay after tax, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions. Updated for all AfC Bands 2–9 with regional adjustments.

Your years in current band
⏰ Shifts & Overtime ▼
📋 Deductions ▼
e.g., Cycle to Work, tech scheme
Default: 1257L
📈 Projected Pay Rise (Simulator) ▼
Monthly Take Home
£0.00
per month
Gross Annual Salary £0
Gross Pay £0
Income Tax -£0
National Insurance -£0
NHS Pension (0%) -£0
Annual Take Home £0
Weekly Take Home £0
Standard Hourly £0
Unsocial Hourly £0
Effective Tax Rate 0%
Note: Based on Tax Code 1257L. Updated for confirmed 3.3% AfC pay award effective 1 April 2026.

Last updated: 17 March 2026 | Next update: April 2026 (new pay scales)

Data sources: NHS Employers (pay scales) | HMRC (tax rates) | NHS BSA (pension tiers) | HMRC (NI rates)

Quick Take Home Pay Guide — All NHS Bands 2026/27

Reference table showing starting salaries and approximate monthly take-home pay for all Agenda for Change bands in England (with pension):

Band Job Roles Starting Salary Monthly Gross Pension % Monthly Take Home
Band 2 Healthcare Assistants £25,272 £2,106 6.5% ~£1,750
Band 3 Senior HCAs £25,760 £2,147 6.5% ~£1,785
Band 4 Assistant Practitioners £28,392 £2,366 8.3% ~£1,938
Band 5 Newly Qualified Nurses £32,073 £2,673 8.3% ~£2,150
Band 6 Specialist Nurses £39,959 £3,330 9.8% ~£2,620
Band 7 Ward Managers £49,387 £4,116 9.8% ~£3,180
Band 8a Modern Matrons £57,528 £4,794 10.7% ~£3,630

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select your region — England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland (Scotland has different tax rates)
  2. Choose your pay band — Band 2 through Band 9
  3. Select spine point — Your experience level within the band
  4. Enter contract hours — Full-time (37.5) or part-time
  5. Add location supplement — If working in London or fringe areas (England only)
  6. Confirm pension status — Contributing or opted out
  7. Add student loan — If applicable
  8. Click calculate — See your exact monthly take-home pay

NHS Pay Bands Explained 2026/27

Band 2 — Healthcare Assistants (£25,272)

Entry-level clinical and non-clinical support roles. Includes Healthcare Assistants, Clinical Support Workers, and Porters. Single point with no progression.

Band 3 — Senior Healthcare Assistants (£25,760–£27,476)

Senior support roles requiring additional training. Two spine points with annual progression.

Band 4 — Assistant Practitioners (£28,392–£31,157)

Roles requiring foundation degrees or equivalent. Includes Assistant Practitioners and Senior Administrative Staff.

Band 5 — Newly Qualified Nurses & AHPs (£32,073–£39,043)

Registered professionals including nurses, midwives, paramedics, and allied health professionals. Three spine points with annual progression.

Band 6 — Specialist Nurses & Senior Therapists (£39,959–£48,117)

Specialist and senior clinical roles. Includes Specialist Nurses, Senior Physiotherapists, and Team Leaders.

Band 7 — Advanced Practitioners & Ward Managers (£49,387–£56,515)

Advanced clinical practitioners and first-line managers. Includes Ward Managers, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Service Leads.

Band 8a–8d — Senior Leaders & Directors

Senior management and leadership roles from Modern Matrons (8a) through to Directors (8d).

NHS Pension Contributions 2026/27 — Is It Worth It?

The NHS Pension Scheme uses a tiered contribution system based on your pensionable pay:

Tier Pensionable Pay Contribution Rate Example (Band 5)
1 Up to £13,259 5.2% —
2 £13,260–£26,831 6.5% —
3 £26,832–£32,691 8.3% £222/month
4 £32,692–£50,060 9.8% —
5 £50,061–£63,210 10.7% —
6 £63,211–£74,225 11.6% —
7 £74,226+ 12.5% —

Why it's worth it: For a Band 5 nurse contributing £222/month, the NHS adds £608/month in employer contributions (23.7%). Opting out saves £222 but loses £608 of free money toward your retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Band 5 nurse take home in 2026/27? ▼
Starting Band 5 salary of £32,073 gives approximately £2,150/month take home after income tax (£257), National Insurance (£198), and 8.3% NHS pension (£222).
How much does a Band 6 nurse take home? ▼
Band 6 starting salary of £39,959 gives approximately £2,620/month take home in 2026/27.
Is the NHS pension worth it? ▼
Yes — for a Band 5 nurse, you contribute £222/month but the NHS adds £608/month in employer contributions. Opting out saves £222/month but loses £608 of free money.
How is London weighting calculated? ▼
Inner London adds 20% of basic salary (capped at £8,172/year). Outer London adds 15% (capped at £5,924/year). Fringe adds 5% (capped at £2,077/year).
Does the 3.3% pay rise apply to all NHS staff? ▼
Yes — the 3.3% award applies to all Agenda for Change staff from 1 April 2026. Scottish NHS staff receive 3.75% under a separately negotiated deal.