NHS pay in England is set through the Agenda for Change framework, with annual uplifts recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body and confirmed by the government.
The most recent pay award for 2025/26 was 3.6%, effective from 1 April 2025. A further 3.3% uplift has been confirmed for 2026/27, effective from 1 April 2026.
NHS pay awards 2025/26 and 2026/27
The 2025/26 Agenda for Change pay award was 3.6% across all bands in England. Payments were backdated to 1 April 2025 and processed from August 2025.
The 2026/27 award of 3.3% is confirmed and took effect from 1 April 2026.
Scotland agreed a separate two-year deal with a 3.75% increase for 2026/27. Wales mirrors England’s rates closely.
NHS Agenda for Change pay bands 2025/26
The table below shows confirmed Agenda for Change pay band entry and top-of-band rates for England in 2025/26. Figures are gross annual salaries before tax, National Insurance and pension deductions.
For the most up-to-date figures including 2026/27 rates, the NHS Employers website at nhsemployers.org publishes the official pay scales each year.
| Band | Entry (£) | Top of Band (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | 24,465 | 24,465 |
| Band 3 | 24,937 | 26,598 |
| Band 4 | 27,485 | 30,162 |
| Band 5 | 31,049 | 37,796 |
| Band 6 | 38,682 | 46,580 |
| Band 7 | 47,810 | 54,710 |
| Band 8a | 55,690 | 62,682 |
| Band 8b | 64,455 | 74,896 |
| Band 8c | 76,965 | 88,682 |
| Band 8d | 91,342 | 103,433 |
| Band 9 | 107,537 | 125,637 |
How NHS pay progression works
Most NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts progress through pay points within their band on an annual basis, provided performance meets the required standard. Progression is automatic at most bands.
Band 2 is a flat-rate band with no internal progression regardless of length of service. Moving between bands requires a competitive recruitment process into a higher-banded post rather than automatic progression.
London weighting and High Cost Area Supplements
NHS staff working in London and surrounding high-cost areas receive a High Cost Area Supplement on top of their band salary.
The supplement is calculated as a percentage of basic salary, subject to minimum and maximum caps. Inner London, Outer London and the Fringe zone each carry different supplement rates.
Full details including the current supplement rates are published on the NHS Employers website.
NHS pay for bank and agency staff
Bank staff employed directly by NHS trusts typically receive the hourly equivalent of the Agenda for Change rate for their role, but without access to NHS pension contributions, annual leave accrual or other permanent employment benefits.
Agency staff rates vary by agency and role.
For NHS staff managing their finances, the Yellow Brick Mortgages fee-free service and NHS mortgage guide cover options for home buying on NHS pay.
Further guides for NHS staff are covered in the blog section of this site.
