NHS Salary Calculator

Agenda for Change Pay Bands

NHS Salary Calculator 2025/26

Use our free NHS salary calculator to work out your take home pay. Select your Agenda for Change pay band and see your NHS salary after tax, National Insurance and pension.

Updated with 2024/25 NHS pay bands and 2025/26 tax rates.

Entry: £29,970Top: £36,483

NHS Pension

Your contribution rate9.8%
Annual contribution£2,937
Employer contribution~23.7%

NHS pension is a defined benefit scheme with contributions based on salary bands.

NHS Take Home Pay
£21,743
per year
Monthly
£1,812
Weekly
£418
Daily
£84

Annual Deductions

Gross Salary£29,970
Income Tax-£2,893
National Insurance-£2,398
NHS Pension (9.8%)-£2,937
Take Home Pay£21,743
Effective Tax Rate
17.7%
Tax + NI
Total Deductions
27.5%
Including pension

NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands 2024/25

BandEntry PointTop of Band
Band 2£23,615£23,615
Band 3£24,071£25,674
Band 4£26,530£29,114
Band 5£29,970£36,483
Band 6£37,338£44,962
Band 7£46,148£52,809
Band 8a£53,755£60,504
Band 8b£62,215£72,293
Band 8c£74,290£86,893
Band 8d£89,168£104,071
Band 9£107,637£126,281

NHS Pension

NHS pension contributions are tiered based on salary, ranging from 5.1% to 13.5%. Our calculator uses the 2015 scheme rates.

Pay Progression

NHS staff progress through pay points within their band annually, typically moving up one point each year until reaching the top of their band.

NHS Salary Calculator FAQ

What is Agenda for Change?
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the NHS pay system that covers most NHS staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It places jobs in pay bands (1-9) based on knowledge, skills and responsibilities. Scotland has a similar system. Medical and dental staff have separate pay scales.
How much is NHS pension contribution?
NHS pension contributions are tiered: 5.1% on earnings up to £13,246, 5.7% up to £16,831, 6.1% up to £22,879, 6.8% up to £23,948, 7.7% up to £28,223, 8.8% up to £29,179, 9.8% up to £43,805, 10.0% up to £49,245, 11.6% up to £56,163, 12.5% up to £72,030, and 13.5% above that.
What band is a nurse in the NHS?
Newly qualified nurses typically start at Band 5 (£29,970 - £36,483). With experience, nurses can progress to Band 6 (£37,338 - £44,962) as senior nurses or specialists. Ward managers and nurse consultants may be Band 7 or higher.
Do NHS staff get London weighting?
Yes, NHS staff in London receive High Cost Area Supplements. Inner London gets 20% of salary (min £5,274, max £7,770), Outer London gets 15% (min £4,655, max £6,076), and the Fringe area gets 5% (min £1,212, max £2,047).
When do NHS pay rises happen?
NHS pay rises typically take effect from April each year. The NHS Pay Review Body recommends annual increases, which the government then decides whether to implement. Individual pay point progression (increments) happens on your anniversary date.