NHS Band 8b Salary After Tax 2025-26
Head of department, senior consultant · Pay range: £62,215 – £72,293
NHS Band 8b tax breakdown 2025-26
| Item | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £67,254 | £5,605 | £1,293 |
| Personal Allowance (tax-free) | £12,570 | £1,048 | £242 |
| Income Tax | −£14,334 | −£1,195 | −£276 |
| National Insurance | −£3,356 | −£280 | −£65 |
| Net take-home | £49,564 | £4,130 | £953 |
About NHS Band 8b
NHS Band 8b 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 Head of department, senior consultant.
The pay range runs from £62,215 to £72,293. Staff progress through incremental pay points, usually annually subject to satisfactory performance. The mid-band salary of £67,254 is used for the calculations on this page.
For context, Band 5 is the most common clinical entry point (e.g. newly qualified nurses and allied health professionals). Band 8b represents senior management or advanced specialist roles above the typical clinical entry grade.
Frequently asked questions
What is the take-home pay for NHS Band 8b?
On the mid-band salary of £67,254, an NHS Band 8b worker takes home £49,564 per year after Income Tax (£14,334) and National Insurance (£3,356). That is £4,130 per month.
How much is NHS Band 8b after tax per month?
Based on the mid-band salary of £67,254, NHS Band 8b take-home pay is £4,130 per month in 2025-26, after Income Tax and National Insurance deductions.
What jobs are NHS Band 8b?
Typical NHS Band 8b roles include: Head of department, senior consultant. 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 8b?
The mid-band gross salary of £67,254 works out at £34 per hour (based on 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). After tax and NI, the net hourly rate is approximately £25.
How much tax does an NHS Band 8b worker pay?
On the mid-band salary of £67,254, an NHS Band 8b worker pays £14,334 in Income Tax and £3,356 in National Insurance — £17,690 in total deductions. The effective tax rate is 26.3%.
Is NHS Band 8b the highest pay band?
NHS Band 8b (Band 8b) is not the absolute ceiling — Band 8c, 8d, and Band 9 also exist within the AfC framework for very senior roles. However, Band 8b represents senior head-of-department or senior consultant level with a mid-band salary of £67,254 and take-home pay of £49,564/year.