NHS Band 6 Salary After Tax 2025-26
Specialist nurse, senior OT/physio · Pay range: £37,338 – £44,962
NHS Band 6 tax breakdown 2025-26
| Item | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £41,150 | £3,429 | £791 |
| Personal Allowance (tax-free) | £12,570 | £1,048 | £242 |
| Income Tax | −£5,716 | −£476 | −£110 |
| National Insurance | −£2,286 | −£191 | −£44 |
| Net take-home | £33,148 | £2,762 | £637 |
About NHS Band 6
NHS Band 6 sits within the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay framework, which applies to the majority of NHS staff in England. Typical roles at this band include Specialist nurse, senior OT/physio.
The pay range runs from £37,338 to £44,962. Staff progress through incremental pay points, usually annually subject to satisfactory performance. The mid-band salary of £41,150 is used for the calculations on this page.
To progress to Band 7, staff typically need to demonstrate competencies at the higher level, take on additional responsibilities, or apply for a substantive post at that band. Some trusts offer development programmes to support AfC progression.
For context, Band 5 is the most common clinical entry point (e.g. newly qualified nurses and allied health professionals). Band 6 represents specialist or senior clinical roles above the typical clinical entry grade.
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually take home on NHS Band 6?
On the mid-band salary of £41,150, an NHS Band 6 worker takes home £33,148 per year (£2,762/month) after Income Tax (£5,716) and National Insurance (£2,286). Your gross monthly is £3,429 — deductions of £667/month leave you £2,762.
Does NHS pension affect my take-home pay on Band 6?
Yes — NHS pension contributions are mandatory under the NHS Pension Scheme and are deducted before tax (salary sacrifice). At Band 6 (£41,150 mid-band), your pension contribution rate is typically 7.1–9.8% depending on your earnings tier. This further reduces your take-home below the £2,762/month figure shown here (which assumes no pension deduction). However, pension contributions reduce your taxable income, so you save on Income Tax too.
What jobs are NHS Band 6?
Typical NHS Band 6 roles include: Specialist nurse, senior OT/physio. These positions sit within the NHS Agenda for Change pay framework, which sets out standardised pay scales for NHS staff in England.
What is the hourly rate for NHS Band 6?
The mid-band gross salary of £41,150 works out at £21 per hour (based on 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). After tax and NI, the net hourly rate is approximately £17.
Why is my NHS take-home lower than I expected on Band 6?
Several deductions come out of your NHS gross pay before you see anything. On £41,150 (Band 6 mid-band), Income Tax is £5,716/year and National Insurance is £2,286/year — already £8,002 in PAYE deductions. Add mandatory NHS pension contributions (7.1–9.8%) and any student loan repayments and your take-home can feel significantly lower than your headline salary. The effective tax rate (IT + NI only) is 19.45%.
What is the difference between NHS Band 6 and Band 7?
NHS Band 6 has a mid-band salary of £41,150 (take-home £33,148/year). Band 7 starts at a higher salary, typically reflecting greater responsibility, specialist expertise, or management duties. Progression to Band 7 usually requires demonstrating competencies at the higher level or applying for a substantive post.