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United Kingdom (NHS)
Nursing & midwifery pay — current rates, penalties & allowances
Award / Agreement
NHS Agenda for Change — England
Current
AnnualHourly
Roles & Wages
| Role | Pay Point | Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Band 1 Entry support role (closed to new entrants) | Entry | £25,272 |
Band 2 Healthcare / nursing assistant | Entry | £25,272 |
Band 3 Senior healthcare assistant / nursing associate (trainee) | Entry | £25,760 |
| Top | £27,476 | |
Band 4 Nursing associate / assistant practitioner | Entry | £28,392 |
| Top | £31,157 | |
Band 5 Registered Nurse / Midwife (newly registered → experienced) | Entry | £32,073 |
| Intermediate | £34,592 | |
| Top | £39,043 | |
Band 6 Senior / Charge Nurse, specialist practitioner | Entry | £39,959 |
| Intermediate | £42,170 | |
| Top | £48,117 | |
Band 7 Advanced Nurse / Ward Manager / team leader | Entry | £49,387 |
| Intermediate | £51,932 | |
| Top | £56,515 | |
Band 8a Advanced clinical / matron (entry) | Entry | £57,528 |
| Intermediate | £60,417 | |
| Top | £64,750 | |
Band 8b Matron / head of nursing | Entry | £66,582 |
| Intermediate | £70,896 | |
| Top | £77,368 | |
Band 8c Senior nurse manager | Entry | £79,504 |
| Intermediate | £84,346 | |
| Top | £91,609 | |
Band 8d Deputy director of nursing | Entry | £94,356 |
| Intermediate | £100,140 | |
| Top | £108,814 | |
Band 9 Director of nursing / very senior manager | Entry | £112,782 |
| Intermediate | £119,583 | |
| Top | £129,783 |
Showing annual salary rates
Allowances
| Allowance | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|
High Cost Area Supplement — Inner London 20% of basic salary (min £5,794 / max £8,746). Annex 9. | per year | £5,794–£8,746 |
High Cost Area Supplement — Outer London 15% of basic salary (min £4,870 / max £6,137). | per year | £4,870–£6,137 |
High Cost Area Supplement — Fringe 5% of basic salary (min £1,346 / max £2,270). | per year | £1,346–£2,270 |
Meals allowance Recommended national subsistence rate. Annex 14. | per 24h | £20.00 |
Night allowance (after 30 nights) Subsistence for overnight stays away from base. Annex 14. | per 24h (max) | £35.00 |
Unforeseen change payment Prospective rostering: shift changed within 24 hrs of the scheduled period. | per occasion | £15.00 |
Penalty Rates
Saturday & weekday nights (Bands 4–9)+30%
Enhancement on basic pay for Saturdays (00:00–24:00) and weekday nights 20:00–06:00.
Sundays & public holidays (Bands 4–9)+60%
Enhancement on basic pay for Sundays and public holidays (00:00–24:00).
Unsocial hours (Bands 1–3)+35% to +94%
Lower bands attract higher enhancements (Band 3: +35% / +69%, Band 2: +41% / +83%, Band 1: +47% / +94%).
Overtime (Bands 1–7)150%
Single harmonised time-and-a-half rate for all overtime above 37.5 hrs/week.
Overtime on a public holiday200%
Double time for overtime worked on a general public holiday. Bands 8–9 are not entitled to overtime pay.
Notes
- •Pay rates for NHS England are effective 1 April 2026 (Agenda for Change, Amendment 62 / NHS Pay Advisory Notice 02/2026). Standard full-time week = 37.5 hours.
- •Hourly rate = annual salary ÷ 52.143 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours (Annex 2).
- •Unsocial-hours enhancements are paid on top of basic salary and apply to weekend, night and public-holiday hours; they do not count towards overtime or on-call.
- •High Cost Area Supplements (London weighting) are a percentage of basic salary, subject to the minimum/maximum shown. All figures in GBP.
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