NHS Band 5 Hourly Rate 2026/27: Salary, London Pay and Take-Home

The NHS Band 5 hourly rate in England for 2026/27 starts at £16.40 and rises to £19.97, depending on an employee’s position on the pay scale. Annual basic salaries range from £32,073 to £39,043 following the 3.3% pay award introduced on 1 April 2026.

However, the amount an NHS Band 5 employee actually earns depends on more than their basic salary. London weighting, working hours, weekend shifts, overtime and pension deductions can all make a noticeable difference.

For example, a newly qualified nurse working in Inner London can receive £38,488 in annual pay including the High Cost Area Supplement, compared with £32,073 in basic pay outside eligible high-cost areas.

There are also important differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland introduced a shorter 36-hour working week in April 2026, while Northern Ireland’s 2026/27 award remained delayed as of 14 October.

This guide explains the latest confirmed Band 5 salary figures, how earnings change with experience, what different shifts pay and how much employees might take home after deductions.

What Is the NHS Band 5 Hourly Rate in 2026/27?

Under England’s Agenda for Change pay framework, Band 5 employees have three main salary points: entry, intermediate and top.

The official rates for 2026/27 are:

Band 5 pay point	Hourly rate	Annual salary	Monthly gross pay
Entry	£16.40	£32,073	£2,672.75
Intermediate	£17.69	£34,592	£2,882.67
Top	£19.97	£39,043	£3,253.58

These salaries apply to full-time employees working the standard 37.5-hour week in England.

The monthly amounts represent annual basic salary divided by 12. They do not include London weighting, night-shift enhancements, overtime or other additional earnings.

For a newly qualified professional joining at the entry point, basic pay is £32,073. An employee reaching the top of Band 5 earns £6,970 more annually at current rates.

That difference reflects progression within the pay band, rather than a change in job title.

Employees can also receive national pay awards while remaining on the same pay point.

The figures are taken from the official NHS Employers 2026/27 pay scales, published on 12 February 2026.

How Is the NHS Band 5 Hourly Rate Calculated?

The basic hourly rate is derived from annual salary and the contractual working year.

For most full-time Agenda for Change employees in England, the normal working week is 37.5 hours, excluding unpaid meal breaks.

NHS hourly calculations use an annualised working year of approximately 52.14 weeks.

For an employee earning £32,073:

£32,073 ÷ approximately 1,955.25 hours = £16.40 per hour

Using exactly 52 weeks produces a slightly different result, so an employee checking their payslip should use the official hourly rate rather than a rough calculation.

The same principle applies to part-time staff, although their annual earnings are reduced proportionately according to their contracted hours.

How Much Did NHS Band 5 Pay Increase in 2026?

The 2026/27 pay award increased England’s Agenda for Change salary points by 3.3%, effective from 1 April 2026.

For Band 5 employees, that means higher earnings at every pay point.

Band 5 level	2025/26 salary	2026/27 salary	Annual increase
Entry	£31,049	£32,073	£1,024
Intermediate	£33,487	£34,592	£1,105
Top	£37,796	£39,043	£1,247

The annual increases are calculated from the official NHS pay scales for the two financial years.

At entry level, the new award adds £1,024 in annual gross basic salary. That works out to approximately £85.33 more per month before tax, National Insurance and pension deductions.

At the top of Band 5, the annual increase is £1,247, equivalent to around £103.92 a month gross.

These are consolidated salary increases, not one-off payments.

Does a 3.3% Pay Rise Mean 3.3% More Take-Home Pay?

Not necessarily.

A pay award increases gross salary, but employees do not receive the entire increase after deductions.

Income Tax, National Insurance and pension contributions affect how much additional income reaches an employee’s bank account.

An increase in pensionable earnings can also move someone into a higher NHS pension contribution tier.

For this reason, two employees receiving the same percentage pay award may experience different increases in net pay.

The wider changes across NHS grades are explained in our guide to Agenda for Change pay bands.

How Much Is NHS Band 5 Pay in London in 2026/27?

NHS employees working in qualifying London and surrounding areas can receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS), commonly called London weighting.

The supplement is intended to recognise the higher costs associated with working in designated locations.

There are three main categories: Inner London, Outer London and London Fringe.

Each has its own percentage, minimum payment and maximum payment.

NHS Band 5 Hourly Rates With London Weighting

Location	Entry hourly	Intermediate hourly	Top hourly
Outside HCAS areas	£16.40	£17.69	£19.97
Inner London	£19.68	£21.23	£23.96
Outer London	£18.89	£20.34	£22.96
London Fringe	£17.22	£18.58	£20.97

These are the official 2026/27 rates including the relevant HCAS payment.

For employees considering NHS positions in London, it is important to distinguish basic salary from the total salary advertised with London weighting.

Inner London Band 5 Salary

Inner London HCAS is calculated at 20% of basic salary, subject to a minimum annual payment of £5,794 and a maximum of £8,746.

For Band 5 employees, the resulting annual salaries are:

Pay point	Annual salary including HCAS
Entry	£38,488
Intermediate	£41,511
Top	£46,852

A newly qualified Band 5 nurse working in an eligible Inner London location therefore earns £6,415 more annually than the national basic salary at the entry point.

At the top of Band 5, the difference increases to £7,809 annually.

These amounts are before tax and other deductions.

Outer London Band 5 Salary

Outer London employees receive a supplement of 15% of basic pay, subject to a minimum of £4,870 and a maximum of £6,137 annually.

Pay point	Annual salary including HCAS
Entry	£36,943
Intermediate	£39,781
Top	£44,900

An interesting feature of Outer London pay is the minimum supplement.

At the entry Band 5 salary of £32,073, a straightforward 15% calculation produces £4,810.95.

However, the minimum Outer London HCAS is £4,870.

That means the employee receives £4,870 rather than the lower percentage-based amount.

The resulting annual salary is £36,943.

This is why calculating London NHS pay using the percentage alone can produce an incorrect answer.

London Fringe Band 5 Salary

The Fringe supplement is 5% of basic pay, subject to minimum and maximum annual payments.

For 2026/27:

Pay point	Annual salary including HCAS
Entry	£33,677
Intermediate	£36,322
Top	£40,996

Not every NHS workplace near London qualifies for the same supplement.

Eligibility is based on the applicable workplace designation. Employees should check the location and HCAS arrangements in their contract or job advertisement rather than assuming their residential postcode determines their allowance.

How Does NHS Band 5 Pay Compare Across the UK?

The NHS operates in all four UK nations, but pay settlements and employment arrangements are not always identical.

Although each nation uses an Agenda for Change framework, the annual salaries and standard working hours can differ.

NHS Band 5 Salary Comparison for 2026/27

Country	Starting salary	Intermediate salary	Top salary
England	£32,073	£34,592	£39,043
Scotland	£34,544	£36,911	£43,039
Wales	£32,557	£35,114	£39,631
Northern Ireland	2026/27 award delayed	Not yet confirmed	Not yet confirmed

The confirmed figures shown are annual basic salaries, excluding additional shift payments or local allowances.

NHS Band 5 Pay in England

England’s entry Band 5 hourly rate is £16.40, rising to £17.69 at the intermediate point and £19.97 at the top.

The corresponding annual salaries range between £32,073 and £39,043.

A standard full-time working week is 37.5 hours.

London supplements can increase total pay significantly, although employees elsewhere in England generally receive the national basic salary unless another contractual allowance applies.

NHS Band 5 Pay in Scotland

Scotland has a different Band 5 salary structure and higher published hourly rates.

For 2026/27:

Pay point	Annual salary	Hourly rate
Entry	£34,544	£18.40
Intermediate	£36,911	£19.66
Top	£43,039	£22.93

The Scottish Government’s two-year pay settlement provided a 3.75% increase from April 2026, following the revised 2025/26 award.

Scotland also reduced the standard Agenda for Change working week from 37 hours to 36 hours on 1 April 2026, without reducing basic earnings.

This makes the difference between Scottish and English hourly pay particularly important.

At entry level, Scotland’s annual Band 5 salary is £2,471 higher than England’s, a difference of approximately 7.7%.

Yet Scotland’s hourly rate is around 12.2% higher.

That larger hourly gap reflects the shorter standard working week as well as the higher salary.

Someone comparing NHS job offers across the two countries should therefore consider both total earnings and the hours required to earn them.

NHS Band 5 Pay in Wales

In Wales, Band 5 basic annual salaries for 2026/27 are £32,557 at entry, £35,114 at the intermediate point and £39,631 at the top.

These rates were introduced from 1 April 2026 under the Welsh Government’s Agenda for Change pay circular.

The Welsh starting salary is £484 higher than England’s equivalent basic salary.

However, employees should also compare their actual working patterns, local employment conditions and any available enhancements before deciding which offer provides better overall remuneration.

NHS Band 5 Pay in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay arrangements remained unresolved as of 14 October 2026.

On that date, the Department of Health acknowledged delays in implementing the pay award and stated its intention to restore parity with NHS England.

That statement did not establish that the new England salary figures had already been implemented in Northern Ireland.

As a result, employees should not assume that the 2026/27 England Band 5 scale is currently being paid across Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care system.

For an accurate current figure, check the latest local pay circular and employer payroll communication.

How Does NHS Band 5 Pay Progression Work?

Band 5 employees in England can move through three pay points within the same band.

The normal progression structure is:

Time in Band 5	Pay point	Annual salary
First two years	Entry	£32,073
After two years	Intermediate	£34,592
After a further two years	Top	£39,043

An employee starting at the entry point can normally become eligible for the top pay point after four years, provided the relevant progression conditions are satisfied.

These conditions can include completion of required training, participation in appraisals and meeting applicable standards of performance and conduct.

Progression is not simply an automatic reward for remaining employed for a particular number of years.

Previous NHS experience, service in comparable roles and the employer’s appointment policies may also influence the starting pay point.

Does Experience Automatically Put Someone at the Top of Band 5?

No. Having five or ten years of healthcare experience does not automatically guarantee appointment at the top of Band 5.

For example, an experienced registered nurse moving between NHS employers may have previous relevant service considered when the new salary point is agreed.

Someone moving from a different profession or an unrelated NHS role may not receive the same treatment.

Applicants should clarify the offered pay point before accepting employment, especially when they have substantial relevant experience.

How Much Do NHS Band 5 Staff Earn for Night Shifts and Weekends?

Band 5 employees working qualifying unsocial hours in England can receive additional payments beyond their basic hourly rate.

Under the standard Agenda for Change arrangements for Bands 4 to 9, the normal enhancements are:

Working period	Additional payment
Saturday	30%
Qualifying weekday-night hours	30%
Sunday	60%
Public holiday	60%

Weekday-night enhancements normally apply between 8 pm and 6 am, subject to the relevant provisions for night shifts and continuous working arrangements.

These payments generally apply to qualifying hours within normal contracted working arrangements.

NHS Band 5 Enhanced Hourly Pay

The following examples use England’s entry Band 5 hourly rate of £16.40.

Working arrangement	Illustrative hourly rate
Normal working hour	£16.40
Qualifying Saturday hour	£21.32
Qualifying night hour	£21.32
Sunday hour	£26.24
Public-holiday hour	£26.24

For an employee at the top of Band 5, the corresponding enhanced rates are approximately £25.96 for qualifying Saturday or night hours and £31.95 for Sundays or public holidays.

These rates are gross amounts before deductions.

An employee’s total monthly earnings will depend on the number of qualifying hours worked.

Worked Example: Weekend Earnings for a Band 5 Nurse

Consider a newly qualified Band 5 nurse earning £16.40 an hour in England.

The nurse works an eight-hour Saturday shift and an eight-hour Sunday shift as part of their normal contracted hours.

For Saturday, the additional payment is:

8 × £16.40 × 30% = £39.36

For Sunday, the additional payment is:

8 × £16.40 × 60% = £78.72

The combined additional earnings are therefore:

£39.36 + £78.72 = £118.08

This is the extra gross payment above the basic earnings for those 16 hours.

It is not an additional £118.08 on top of the full enhanced hourly amount, because the basic hourly pay is already accounted for.

Over a month containing several qualifying weekend shifts, enhancements can make a meaningful difference to gross earnings.

However, employees should also consider fatigue, rest requirements and the demands of their particular role when evaluating additional working hours.

How Much Is NHS Band 5 Overtime Pay?

Overtime is treated differently from unsocial-hours enhancements.

Under standard England Agenda for Change arrangements, eligible Band 5 employees can receive time-and-a-half for qualifying authorised overtime.

Overtime worked on general public holidays is normally paid at double time.

Pay point	Basic hourly rate	Standard overtime
Entry	£16.40	£24.60
Intermediate	£17.69	£26.54
Top	£19.97	£29.96

These amounts are illustrative figures calculated from the published hourly rates.

For a full-time employee in England, overtime generally begins when authorised weekly hours exceed 37.5.

Part-time employees normally receive plain-time pay for additional hours up to the full-time threshold, although qualifying unsocial-hours enhancements may still apply.

Employees should not automatically combine overtime multipliers and unsocial-hours enhancements for the same period. The relevant NHS terms and conditions determine which payment applies.

Are Bank Shifts Paid at the Same Rate?

Not always. An NHS bank shift is usually worked through a staff bank under its own terms of engagement.

Bank pay can depend on the employer, role, pay point, local policy and working pattern.

Some organisations use rates related to Agenda for Change pay scales, while others operate particular bank arrangements.

A nurse should therefore compare the actual bank rate, holiday-pay treatment and pension arrangements before assuming a bank shift pays more than contracted overtime.

Agency assignments may operate under different commercial and contractual arrangements again.

What Is NHS Band 5 Take-Home Pay in 2026/27?

Take-home pay is the amount an employee receives after payroll deductions.

The most significant deductions for many NHS Band 5 employees are Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS Pension Scheme contributions.

Student loan repayments, union subscriptions and salary-sacrifice arrangements can further reduce the amount received.

Estimated NHS Band 5 Monthly Take-Home Pay

The following estimates apply to a full-time employee in England using the 2026/27 salary scales.

Band 5 pay point	Monthly gross pay	Estimated monthly take-home
Entry	£2,672.75	£2,040.21
Intermediate	£2,882.67	£2,177.41
Top	£3,253.58	£2,380.80

These figures are original calculations based on specific assumptions rather than actual NHS payslip records.

The estimates assume a standard Personal Allowance of £12,570, England’s basic-rate Income Tax rules, employee National Insurance at 8% on relevant earnings and membership of the NHS Pension Scheme.

They also assume no student loan, London weighting, unsocial-hours earnings or other deductions, and a full tax year at the stated salary.

Actual payroll results can vary slightly because of pay-period calculations and rounding.

Worked Example: £32,073 Band 5 Salary

Consider a newly qualified Band 5 employee in England earning £32,073 annually.

At this level, the employee falls within the 8.3% NHS pension contribution tier, assuming basic salary represents their total pensionable earnings.

Their estimated deductions are:

Pay component	Annual amount
Gross salary	£32,073.00
NHS pension contribution	£2,662.06
Income Tax	£3,368.19
National Insurance	£1,560.24
Estimated take-home pay	£24,482.51

Dividing the estimated net annual amount by 12 gives approximately £2,040.21 per month.

Pension contributions receive Income Tax relief through the applicable payroll arrangements. However, employee National Insurance is generally calculated without deducting ordinary NHS pension contributions from earnings.

That distinction matters when estimating deductions.

A simple calculation applying Income Tax and National Insurance to the same pension-adjusted salary can underestimate the amount deducted.

How Do NHS Pension Contributions Affect Band 5 Pay?

NHS Pension Scheme employee contributions are calculated using contribution tiers based on actual annual pensionable earnings.

For 2026/27, relevant tiers include:

Annual pensionable pay	Employee contribution rate
£13,260–£28,854	6.5%
£28,855–£35,155	8.3%
£35,156–£52,778	9.8%

An employee earning £32,073 in pensionable pay generally falls into the 8.3% tier.

An employee earning £39,043 generally falls into the 9.8% tier.

Importantly, pensionable earnings may include qualifying additions such as London weighting.

A Band 5 employee whose basic salary falls below £35,156 may therefore move into a higher pension contribution tier because of other pensionable payments.

That can reduce the net financial benefit of additional gross earnings.

The NHS Pension Scheme also provides retirement benefits that should be considered alongside immediate take-home pay.

Opting out to increase monthly earnings involves losing future pension accrual and associated benefits, so it should not be assessed solely through the next payslip.

How Much Do Part-Time NHS Band 5 Employees Earn?

Part-time employees generally receive a proportion of the full-time annual basic salary.

In England, the calculation is based on the standard 37.5-hour working week.

For example, someone working 30 hours per week receives 80% of the equivalent full-time basic salary.

NHS Band 5 Part-Time Salary Comparison

Weekly hours	Entry annual salary	Top annual salary
37.5	£32,073.00	£39,043.00
30	£25,658.40	£31,234.40
22.5	£19,243.80	£23,425.80
18.75	£16,036.50	£19,521.50

These figures represent gross basic earnings without additional payments.

The employee’s hourly basic rate does not decrease simply because they work fewer contracted hours.

However, pension contribution tiers and Income Tax deductions are affected by actual earnings.

A part-time employee may therefore take home a different proportion of their gross salary compared with a full-time colleague.

Employees in Scotland should use its 36-hour standard week when calculating the relevant full-time equivalent.

Which NHS Jobs Are Usually Classified as Band 5?

Band 5 includes many qualified healthcare roles where employees carry professional responsibility for assessment, treatment, patient care or specialist services.

Common examples include newly qualified registered nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and operating department practitioners.

Certain paramedic, clinical science, technical, finance and information technology positions can also fall within Band 5.

The exact classification depends on the job evaluation rather than the job title alone.

For example, two employees may hold the same professional qualification but receive different pay bands because their responsibilities differ.

Someone providing routine clinical care within an established framework may be in Band 5, while another professional managing a specialist caseload or supervising a team may hold a Band 6 position.

Band 5 is particularly common among newly qualified registered nursing professionals.

Mental health nursing is one example where employees may begin at Band 5 before progressing into specialist, community or leadership roles. Our article on mental health nursing pay explores those career differences.

Is Moving From NHS Band 5 to Band 6 Worthwhile?

Progression into Band 6 generally involves a change in responsibilities, specialist skills or the complexity of the role.

In England, the 2026/27 basic salary scales show:

Position	Annual basic salary
Band 5 entry	£32,073
Band 5 top	£39,043
Band 6 entry	£39,959
Band 6 top	£48,117
Band 7 entry	£49,387

The difference between the published Band 5 top salary and Band 6 entry salary is only £916 annually.

That is approximately £76.33 a month in gross basic pay.

However, this comparison should not be mistaken for the exact increase that every employee receives on promotion.

NHS pay-on-promotion rules determine the relevant new salary point for existing staff.

Over the longer term, Band 6 offers a higher salary ceiling and access to different career opportunities.

A Band 5 employee considering promotion should assess the actual salary offer alongside additional leadership duties, training requirements, rota changes and professional accountability.

Employees considering more senior positions can also review our Band 7 hourly rate guide.

Can Band 5 Employees Increase Their Pay Without Promotion?

Yes, although the options depend on the employment contract and local availability.

Employees may become eligible for the next pay point within Band 5, receive future national salary awards or undertake qualifying enhanced shifts.

Additional authorised hours can also increase earnings.

However, gaining a qualification or taking on occasional extra responsibilities does not automatically mean the job will be rebanded.

For a permanent increase to a higher band, the duties of the post generally need to meet the requirements of the relevant job evaluation.

How Can Employees Check Their NHS Band 5 Payslip?

An NHS payslip can contain several different pay elements, making it difficult to understand why the amount received changes from month to month.

Before contacting payroll, employees should compare their payslip with their contract and the appropriate national salary table.

Pay details worth checking include the assigned pay band and point, contracted hours, basic salary, London allowance, recorded enhancements and overtime.

It is also useful to review pensionable earnings, employee pension contributions, Income Tax, National Insurance and any student loan deductions.

Why Might Two Band 5 Employees Receive Different Monthly Pay?

Even when two employees have the same basic salary, their net pay may differ because of:

• Different pensionable additions or contribution tiers
• London weighting eligibility
• Different night and weekend working patterns
• Student loan repayments
• Tax codes or other deductions
• Additional hours processed in different payroll periods

For example, someone working a largely weekday-based community role may receive fewer unsocial-hours payments than a hospital employee regularly working evenings and weekends.

An employee should not assume that a difference in take-home pay means the basic Band 5 rate is incorrect.

Where figures cannot be reconciled, the employer’s payroll or HR department can explain which payment periods and contractual rules have been applied.

What Could Change NHS Band 5 Pay in 2027?

The next NHS pay review may result in further changes to Agenda for Change salary scales.

However, the size and implementation of any future award should not be treated as confirmed before the relevant government or NHS authority formally announces it.

Pay arrangements may also develop differently across the UK.

Discussions about pay structure, career progression, workforce recruitment and working conditions can influence future policy, but proposals are not the same as implemented salary rates.

For employees planning their finances, the safest approach is to use the confirmed 2026/27 rates and treat future increases as uncertain until official guidance becomes available.

Conclusion

The NHS Band 5 hourly rate for 2026/27 in England ranges from £16.40 to £19.97, with basic annual salaries between £32,073 and £39,043.

London weighting can increase total annual pay to £46,852 at the top of Band 5 in Inner London, while qualifying nights, weekends and overtime can further increase gross earnings.

Across the UK, differences in salary settlements and contractual hours also matter. Scotland’s 36-hour working week, for example, helps explain why its hourly rates are substantially higher than England’s.

For employees assessing their earnings, the most accurate approach is to consider their official pay point, contracted working hours, applicable supplements, enhancement payments and payroll deductions together.

Research note: This article was reviewed on 15 October 2026 using official NHS Employers, Scottish Government, NHS Wales, Northern Ireland Department of Health, HMRC and NHS Business Services Authority information. All worked salary comparisons and take-home estimates are illustrative calculations based on published rates, not individual employee payslips.

Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Band 5 Hourly Pay

What Is the NHS Band 5 Starting Hourly Rate in 2026?

The starting NHS Band 5 hourly rate in England is £16.40 for 2026/27, equivalent to £32,073 in annual basic salary for a full-time employee.

How Much Does NHS Band 5 Pay Per Month?

Gross monthly basic salary ranges from approximately £2,672.75 at entry to £3,253.58 at the top of Band 5 in England. Actual take-home pay depends on deductions and additional earnings.

What Is the Highest NHS Band 5 Hourly Rate?

The highest national basic Band 5 hourly rate in England is £19.97 in 2026/27. In Inner London, the equivalent hourly value including HCAS is £23.96.

How Long Does It Take to Reach the Top of Band 5?

In England, employees normally become eligible for the intermediate pay point after two years and the top pay point after a further two years, subject to the relevant progression conditions.

Do Band 5 Nurses Get Paid More on Sundays?

Eligible Band 5 staff working qualifying Sunday hours under England’s standard Agenda for Change arrangements receive a 60% enhancement above their basic hourly rate.

Is NHS Band 5 Pay Higher in Scotland?

Yes. Scotland’s 2026/27 Band 5 salary ranges from £34,544 to £43,039, with published hourly rates from £18.40 to £22.93. Scotland also has a shorter 36-hour standard working week.

Does Band 5 Pay Include London Weighting?

The national basic salary does not include London weighting. Eligible employees receive the applicable High Cost Area Supplement in addition to basic pay.

Is NHS Band 5 a Good Salary?

That depends on household expenses, location, working hours and career circumstances.

Band 5 provides structured salary progression and access to NHS employment benefits, but the value of the salary can differ considerably between a lower-cost area and central London.

Employees should compare take-home pay, working patterns, commuting costs and career opportunities rather than relying on the annual salary alone.