NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands 2025-26: Full Breakdown
NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) is the national pay framework that determines salaries for the majority of NHS staff in England — from healthcare assistants and porters to highly skilled clinical practitioners. The framework sets bands 1 through 9, each with a defined pay range and set of spine points. Understanding which band you are on and what you actually take home after tax is essential for financial planning.
NHS AfC pay bands 2025-26: full table
| Band | Pay range | Example salary | Take-home (month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £23,615 | £23,615 | £1,653 |
| Band 2 | £23,615–£24,336 | £24,000 | £1,686 |
| Band 3 | £24,071–£25,674 | £25,000 | £1,752 |
| Band 4 | £25,147–£27,596 | £26,500 | £1,846 |
| Band 5 | £29,970–£36,483 | £30,000 | £2,093 |
| Band 6 | £37,338–£44,962 | £38,000 | £2,562 |
| Band 7 | £46,148–£52,809 | £46,148 | £3,062 |
| Band 8a | £53,755–£60,504 | £53,755 | £3,389 |
| Band 8b | £62,215–£72,293 | £62,215 | £3,867 |
| Band 8c | £74,290–£85,601 | £74,290 | £4,525 |
| Band 8d | £88,168–£101,677 | £88,168 | £5,168 |
| Band 9 | £105,385–£121,271 | £105,385 | £5,913 |
Take-home figures are approximate for England 2025-26, assuming no pension contributions beyond the mandatory scheme and standard 1257L tax code.
NHS pension contributions 2025-26
NHS staff are enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme, one of the most valuable public sector pensions in the country. Employee contribution rates for 2025-26 are tiered by salary:
| Annual salary | Employee contribution rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,259 | 5.1% |
| £13,260–£26,831 | 5.7% |
| £26,832–£32,691 | 8.1% |
| £32,692–£49,078 | 8.8% |
| £49,079–£62,924 | 10.0% |
| £62,925–£89,135 | 11.6% |
| Over £89,135 | 12.5% |
Pension contributions are deducted before income tax (they are salary sacrifice), so they reduce your taxable income and save you income tax on the contribution. A Band 6 nurse contributing at 8.8% on a £40,000 salary contributes £3,520/year and saves approximately £704 in income tax.
2025-26 pay award
The NHS pay award for 2025-26 was agreed following negotiations between NHS employers, trade unions, and the government. The settlement included a consolidated pay increase to bring AfC salaries into line with the Government's public sector pay policy. Details of the exact percentage uplift for 2025-26 were finalised in spring 2025 — check NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org) for the definitive current rates.
Key roles and their bands
- Healthcare Assistant / Support Worker: Band 2–3
- Newly qualified nurse, midwife, AHP: Band 5
- Experienced nurse, specialist practitioner: Band 6
- Advanced practitioner, senior specialist: Band 7
- Consultant nurse, clinical director: Band 8a–8d
- Senior manager, Director: Band 8d–9
Frequently asked questions
What is NHS Band 5 take-home pay in 2025-26?
A Band 5 nurse on the minimum spine point (around £29,970) takes home approximately £2,075 per month after income tax and National Insurance, before NHS pension deductions. After standard pension contributions (8.8%), take-home is around £1,855/month.
What is NHS Band 7 salary in 2025-26?
Band 7 pay range is £46,148–£52,809. At the minimum spine point, take-home pay before pension is approximately £3,021/month in England.
Does the NHS pension reduce my take-home pay a lot?
Mandatory pension contributions do reduce take-home pay, but the tax relief reduces the cost. A 8.8% contribution on £35,000 costs £3,080/year gross but only £2,464 net (after 20% tax relief). The pension itself is a defined benefit scheme worth considerably more than the contribution.