NHS AfC Pay Bands & Salaries in England 2026/27
Full pay scale for England NHS staff. Click Calculate on your band to set hours, unsocial shifts, tax code, and pension options.
Formerly used for entry-level support roles. Absorbed into Band 2 since 2004.
Healthcare Assistant, Domestic Support Worker, Porter, Catering Assistant
Clinical Support Worker, Maternity Support Worker, Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomist
Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner, Dental Nurse, Theatre Support Worker
Registered Nurse, Midwife, Paramedic, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist
Specialist Nurse, Health Visitor, Experienced Paramedic, Biomedical Scientist
Ward Sister, Charge Nurse, Advanced Paramedic, Clinical Pharmacist
Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Matron, Principal Clinical Psychologist
Consultant Healthcare Scientist, General Manager, Lead Pharmacist
Consultant Paramedic, Head of Clinical Service, Deputy Chief Pharmacist
Consultant Pathologist, Deputy Director of Nursing, Chief Pharmacist
Chief Nurse, Director of Clinical Services, Chief Medical Officer
Last updated based on the 2026/27 NHS England Pay Award.
Frequently asked questions
How is my NHS take-home pay calculated?
We start with your gross annual salary, add any unsocial hours uplifts you enter, then subtract income tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions, and student loan repayments. The figures use 2026/27 tax rates from HMRC and NHS Employers.
What is the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system?
Agenda for Change is the NHS grading and pay system used for most staff except doctors, dentists, and some senior managers. Jobs sit in pay bands from Band 2 to Band 9, with pay points that increase with experience.
Are unsociable hours included in the base salary?
No. Nights, weekends, and bank holidays are paid as a percentage uplift on your hourly rate, on top of basic pay. Use the shift inputs on the calculator to estimate what that adds to your annual and monthly pay.
How does the NHS Pension scheme affect my monthly pay?
You pay a tiered contribution based on pensionable pay, from 5.2% up to 12.5%. Because pension comes out before tax, it lowers your income tax bill as well as your take-home pay.
What is the current NHS pension contribution rate in England?
Rates depend on your pensionable pay. For 2026/27 they run from 5.2% at the bottom tier to 12.5% at the top. The calculator picks the right tier from your gross pay.
Does this calculator include High Cost Area Supplements (London Weighting)?
Yes. Pick your London zone from the dropdown and the calculator applies the HCAS percentage, with the minimum and maximum caps set by NHS Employers for 2026/27.
How do I calculate pro-rata pay for part-time NHS work in England?
Choose your band and pay point, then change the contracted hours field. Full-time is 37.5 hours per week. Salary, tax, and NI all scale from that.
Who sets NHS England Agenda for Change pay scales?
The NHS Staff Council negotiates pay with NHS Employers, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the health unions. The NHS Pay Review Body advises on the annual award.
About NHS pay in England
Agenda for Change sets out 9 pay bands for most NHS roles, from Band 2 through to Band 9. Your gross salary depends on your band and how long you have been in post. Take-home pay is lower once income tax, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions are deducted.
Staff who regularly work nights, Saturdays, or bank holidays receive percentage uplifts on their hourly rate under Section 2 of the NHS Terms and Conditions. England uses the standard UK income tax bands for PAYE. Use the calculator on each band row to model your own circumstances.