NHS Pay Rise 2026/27: New Pay Rates for Nurses, Doctors and NHS Staff Explained
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Olivia
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The NHS pay rise for 2026/27 has now taken effect, bringing higher salaries for nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics, midwives and other NHS workers in England.
Most NHS employees working under Agenda for Change received a 3.3% consolidated pay increase from 1 April 2026. Doctors and most dentists received a separate 3.5% increase, while salaried dentists working in community dental services received 3.75%.
There have also been important changes for resident doctors in England. Following an agreement between the Government and the British Medical Association (BMA), the resident doctor pay structure is being reformed, meaning some doctors will receive increases above the headline 3.5% award.
The new NHS pay arrangements are therefore not as simple as saying that every NHS employee has received the same percentage increase.
NHS Pay Rise 2026/27 at a Glance
| NHS staff group | 2026/27 pay increase |
| Agenda for Change staff in England | 3.3% |
| Nurses | 3.3% |
| Midwives | 3.3% |
| Paramedics | 3.3% |
| Healthcare assistants | 3.3% |
| Most allied health professionals | 3.3% |
| Resident doctors | At least 3.5%, with additional increases for some grades |
| Consultants | 3.5% |
| SAS doctors and dentists | 3.5% |
| Salaried GPs | 3.5% |
| Salaried community dentists | 3.75% |
| NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff | 3.75% |
The precise salary depends on the employee’s country, pay band, pay point and contractual arrangements. NHS pay is devolved, so England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should not automatically be assumed to use identical pay scales.
How Much Is the NHS Pay Rise in 2026?
For most NHS workers in England covered by Agenda for Change terms and conditions, the 2026/27 NHS pay rise is 3.3%.
The Government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendation in February 2026. Unlike several previous NHS pay awards that were confirmed after the beginning of the financial year, the decision was made early enough for the new rates to take effect from April.
The official Government announcement said more than 1.4 million Agenda for Change staff would receive the increase from April 2026.
NHS Employers subsequently confirmed that Electronic Staff Record payroll arrangements had been prepared so that the new salaries could be reflected in April pay packets.
Employees wanting to check their precise salary can use the official NHS 2026/27 pay scales published by NHS Employers.
Who Gets the 3.3% NHS Pay Rise?
The 3.3% increase principally applies to staff working under Agenda for Change, the national NHS pay framework used for most non-medical employees.
Examples include:
- nurses;
- nursing associates;
- healthcare assistants;
- midwives;
- paramedics;
- physiotherapists;
- occupational therapists;
- radiographers;
- pharmacists working under Agenda for Change;
- laboratory and healthcare science staff;
- porters;
- administrative employees;
- estates and facilities workers; and
- many NHS managers.
Agenda for Change does not generally cover doctors, dentists or very senior managers, as these groups have separate pay arrangements.
The Agenda for Change framework explained by NHS Employers shows how the national system uses pay bands and job evaluation to determine salaries and progression.
What Are the New NHS Pay Bands for 2026/27?
Following the 3.3% NHS pay rise, updated Agenda for Change salary scales took effect in England from 1 April 2026.
The main annual salary ranges are:
| NHS Band | 2026/27 starting salary | 2026/27 top salary |
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £25,272 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | £27,476 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | £31,157 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £39,043 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £48,117 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £56,515 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £64,750 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £77,368 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £91,609 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £108,814 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £129,783 |
Some bands contain intermediate progression points, so an employee does not necessarily move directly from the minimum salary to the maximum.
For example, Band 5 has pay points of £32,073, £34,592 and £39,043, while Band 6 has points of £39,959, £42,170 and £48,117.
These figures are the official England Agenda for Change rates effective from April 2026.
Interactive NHS pay checker
NHS Pay Rise Calculator 2026/27
Select your NHS Agenda for Change band and pay point to compare the official 2025/26 salary with the new 2026/27 salary in England. The calculator shows your annual, monthly and weekly gross pay increase following the latest NHS pay award.
NHS Agenda for Change staff in England received a 3.3% consolidated pay uplift for 2026/27. Select a band and pay point below to see how the new salary compares with the equivalent 2025/26 basic salary.
Band 5 entry pay increases to £32,073
The Band 5 entry salary increases from £31,049 in 2025/26 to £32,073 in 2026/27. This is an annual gross increase of £1,024 before Income Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and other deductions.
- Figures shown are basic annual Agenda for Change salaries for England.
- London Higher Cost Area Supplements are not included.
- Overtime, unsocial-hours payments and other allowances are not included.
- Monthly and weekly increases are gross figures before payroll deductions.
Important: This calculator is an editorial pay explainer and is not an official NHS payroll or take-home-pay calculator. It covers standard Agenda for Change basic salaries in England. Actual take-home pay depends on Income Tax, National Insurance, NHS Pension Scheme contributions, student loans, salary sacrifice, overtime, enhancements, allowances and individual payroll circumstances.
Sources and further reading: NHS Employers 2026/27 pay scales , NHS Employers 2025/26 pay scales and NHS 2026/27 pay award announcement .
How Much Do Band 5 Nurses Earn After the NHS Pay Rise?
Band 5 is particularly important because many newly qualified NHS nurses enter the Agenda for Change structure at this level.
From 1 April 2026, Band 5 pay in England is:
Entry point: £32,073
Intermediate point: £34,592
Top point: £39,043
Pay progression depends on the employee meeting the relevant requirements and completing the required period at each stage.
The NHS pay rise therefore does not mean every nurse earns £39,043. Their actual salary depends on their band and position within that band.
How Much Do Band 6 NHS Staff Earn in 2026/27?
Band 6 salaries in England are now:
Entry point: £39,959
Intermediate point: £42,170
Top point: £48,117
Band 6 includes many experienced nurses, specialist practitioners and other clinical professionals.
Employees may also receive additional payments depending on factors such as working location, unsocial hours and contractual arrangements.
How Much Do Band 7 NHS Staff Earn?
The 2026/27 Band 7 salary range in England is:
Entry: £49,387
Intermediate: £51,932
Top: £56,515
Senior specialist nurses, advanced clinical professionals, team managers and employees in a range of other senior roles can fall within Band 7.
Again, job titles do not determine pay bands on their own. NHS jobs are evaluated according to the responsibilities, knowledge, skills and demands associated with the position.
Is the NHS Pay Rise Consolidated?
Yes. The 3.3% Agenda for Change increase is a consolidated pay award.
This is significant because a consolidated increase becomes part of normal basic salary rather than being paid simply as a temporary or one-off bonus.
A consolidated increase can therefore affect salary-related calculations differently from a one-off payment.
NHS Employers explicitly described the 2026/27 award as a 3.3% consolidated uplift.
When Did NHS Staff Get the 2026 Pay Rise?
For Agenda for Change staff in England, the new salary scales took effect from 1 April 2026.
NHS Employers said the Electronic Staff Record system was prepared for the increase to appear in April salaries.
This was notable because NHS workers have frequently had to wait several months for annual pay awards to be finalised and then receive backdated payments.
The Government brought forward the 2026/27 pay-review timetable, allowing the Agenda for Change award to be announced on 12 February 2026, before the new financial year began.
Will NHS Staff Get Back Pay?
Agenda for Change staff whose new pay rate was correctly implemented from 1 April generally do not require the type of substantial retrospective payment seen following some previous pay awards.
The situation is different for certain doctors.
The general doctors’ and dentists’ award applied from 1 April 2026, while implementation was scheduled for later payrolls. NHS Employers said medical and dental uplifts and arrears were expected in June salaries.
Resident doctors have also been affected by subsequent changes to their pay structure, some of which are being backdated to April 2026.
Employees should therefore check their payslip and employer communications rather than assuming the back-pay arrangements are identical across all NHS occupations.
How Much Is the NHS Pay Rise for Doctors?
Doctors and dentists operate under a different pay-review system from Agenda for Change employees.
For 2026/27, the Government accepted a 3.5% increase for:
- resident doctors and dentists;
- specialty doctors;
- specialist doctors;
- associate specialist doctors and dentists;
- consultants; and
- salaried GPs.
Salaried dentists working in community dental services received 3.75%.
The increases apply from 1 April 2026.
The full recommendations can be found in the Government’s 2026 Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body report.
What Changed for Resident Doctor Pay?
Resident doctors have a more complicated pay settlement.
The Government originally accepted the DDRB recommendation for a 3.5% headline increase, but negotiations with the BMA continued over career progression, working conditions and the structure of resident doctor pay.
A revised agreement was eventually put to BMA members, who voted to accept it in June 2026.
The Government confirmed that the result meant the resident doctor pay system would be amended through nodal point reform.
Instead of the previous five main nodal points, the structure is being expanded to ten, allowing salary progression to align more closely with stages of medical training.
NHS Employers published updated medical and dental pay information on 24 July 2026, confirming that the revised structure and corresponding pay values were being incorporated into the national pay circular.
How Much More Will Resident Doctors Receive?
The increase depends heavily on the training stage.
Under the 2026/27 structure, examples of cumulative increases compared with 2025/26 include:
| Training stage | 2025/26 salary | 2026/27 salary | Increase |
| FY1 | £38,831 | £41,226 | 6.2% |
| FY2 | £44,439 | £47,610 | 7.1% |
| ST1 / CT1 | £52,656 | £55,355 | 5.1% |
| ST2 / CT2 | £52,656 | £55,355 | 5.1% |
| ST3 / CT3 | £65,048 | £67,325 | 3.5% |
| ST4 / CT4 | £65,048 | £67,998 | 4.5% |
| ST5 | £65,048 | £67,998 | 4.5% |
| ST6 | £73,992 | £76,582 | 3.5% |
| ST7 | £73,992 | £77,348 | 4.5% |
| ST8 | £73,992 | £77,348 | 4.5% |
Further structural changes are scheduled for April 2027, alongside whatever general 2027/28 pay award is eventually recommended.
The Government’s resident doctor pay agreement provides the detailed nodal-point figures and implementation timetable.
Is Every NHS Worker Getting the Same Pay Rise?
No.
There are several different groups.
Agenda for Change employees in England: 3.3%.
Most doctors and dentists: 3.5%.
Community salaried dentists: 3.75%.
Resident doctors: at least the 3.5% headline award, but some receive additional increases because of nodal point reform.
Very senior managers: separate salary arrangements apply.
There are also differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This makes it important for NHS employees to check the pay framework applying to their individual contract rather than relying solely on headlines about an “NHS pay rise”.
Does Scotland Have the Same NHS Pay Rise?
No. NHS Scotland has a separate Agenda for Change agreement.
The Scottish Government agreed a two-year pay arrangement covering 2025/26 and 2026/27. Under that agreement, Agenda for Change staff received a 3.75% increase from 1 April 2026, following the previous year’s increase.
The official NHS Scotland pay guidance provides the applicable Scottish pay bands and rates.
This is why articles describing the 3.3% rise as applying universally across the entire UK NHS can be misleading.
What Is the NHS Pay Rise in Wales?
Agenda for Change staff in Wales also received a 3.3% increase from 1 April 2026.
An official NHS Wales pay circular confirmed that the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales would increase by 3.3%, subject to specific treatment of rates that had already been adjusted to meet Living Wage requirements.
However, Welsh pay scales are not identical to England’s.
For example, Wales has its own published salary figures and arrangements, so employees should use Welsh rather than English pay tables when checking their salary.
Does a 3.3% Pay Rise Mean 3.3% More Take-Home Pay?
Not necessarily.
A 3.3% increase in gross basic salary does not usually translate directly into a 3.3% increase in money arriving in an employee’s bank account.
Take-home pay can be affected by:
- Income Tax;
- National Insurance;
- NHS pension contributions;
- student loan repayments;
- postgraduate loan deductions;
- salary sacrifice;
- overtime;
- unsocial-hours enhancements;
- London weighting; and
- other payroll deductions.
For example, an employee receiving several hundred pounds more in annual gross salary will not necessarily keep the entire increase because some of it may be subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.
The exact change therefore depends on individual circumstances.
Does the NHS Pay Rise Affect Pension Contributions?
An increase in pensionable salary can affect both pensionable earnings and the contribution calculations associated with NHS Pension Scheme membership.
However, the precise impact depends on an employee’s pensionable pay and applicable contribution tier.
A salary increase could potentially move an employee into a different pension contribution tier, so simply multiplying existing monthly take-home pay by 1.033 will not always produce an accurate answer.
Staff looking for precise figures should check their payslip and official NHS pension information.
What About London Weighting?
NHS employees working in qualifying London areas can receive a Higher Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) in addition to basic Agenda for Change salary.
Different arrangements apply to:
- Inner London;
- Outer London; and
- Fringe areas.
These supplements mean two employees occupying the same NHS band can have different overall gross pay depending on where they work.
NHS Employers’ official 2026/27 pay tables include the relevant Higher Cost Area Supplement rates.
Why Was the NHS Pay Rise Set at 3.3%?
The NHS Pay Review Body independently considers evidence before making recommendations to governments.
Its work can consider issues including:
- recruitment;
- retention;
- vacancies;
- economic conditions;
- inflation;
- public-sector pay;
- NHS finances;
- workforce morale; and
- labour-market conditions.
The Government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body’s 2026/27 recommendation in full.
The official NHS Pay Review Body Thirty-Ninth Report contains the detailed analysis behind the recommendation.
Did NHS Unions Support the 3.3% Pay Rise?
Not all unions welcomed it.
UNISON described the award as inadequate and argued that staff were continuing to experience pressure from living costs and longstanding problems with NHS pay structures.
The Royal College of Nursing was also critical. It argued that the 3.3% award did not adequately address the financial pressures facing nursing staff.
Readers interested in the union position can see the RCN response to the 2026 NHS pay award.
It is therefore important to distinguish two questions:
What is the official NHS pay rise?
The confirmed Agenda for Change award in England is 3.3%.
Do all NHS workers and unions believe it is sufficient?
No. Several unions have continued calling for improved pay and structural reform.
Could NHS Pay Bands Change Again?
Possibly.
The 3.3% increase is not necessarily the end of discussions about NHS pay structures.
As part of the 2026/27 settlement, the Department of Health and Social Care committed to discussions with trade unions and employers through the NHS Staff Council about reforms to the Agenda for Change pay structure.
NHS Employers said priorities included improving pay for employees in the lowest bands and improving pay arrangements for graduates across different professions. Any agreed reforms could potentially provide additional increases to some staff, with funding arrangements separate from the headline award.
Employees should therefore distinguish between the annual NHS pay award and any separate pay-structure reforms.
What Happens to NHS Pay in 2027/28?
The next pay round has already started.
On 15 July 2026, the Government formally issued the NHS Pay Review Body remit for 2027/28.
The letter confirms that the Government accepted the 2026/27 recommendations in full and asks the review body to begin considering the next annual settlement.
However, there is no confirmed general NHS Agenda for Change percentage for 2027/28 yet.
Any websites claiming a definite universal 2027/28 NHS pay rise before an official announcement should therefore be treated cautiously.
The current confirmed award remains 3.3% for Agenda for Change staff in England for 2026/27.
How Can NHS Staff Check Their Correct Salary?
Employees should first identify:
- their NHS pay band;
- their current pay step;
- whether they work in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland;
- whether London weighting applies;
- whether they receive unsocial-hours payments;
- whether they have progressed to another pay point; and
- whether additional contractual allowances apply.
They can then compare their salary with the relevant official national pay scale.
For England, the best starting point is the NHS Employers 2026/27 salary table.
Employees who believe their salary has been calculated incorrectly should normally raise the issue through their employer’s payroll or HR process.
NHS Pay Rise Timeline
12 February 2026 – Agenda for Change Award Announced
The Government accepted the NHS Pay Review Body recommendation and confirmed a 3.3% pay rise.
1 April 2026 – New Agenda for Change Salaries Begin
The updated salaries became effective for the 2026/27 financial year.
25 March 2026 – Doctors’ Pay Award Announced
The Government accepted the DDRB’s recommendations, including a 3.5% rise for most doctors.
June 2026 – Resident Doctor Agreement
A revised Government-BMA package covering pay structure, career progression and working conditions was put to resident doctors.
29 June 2026 – Resident Doctors Accept the Agreement
The Government subsequently confirmed that BMA resident doctor members had voted to accept the agreement.
24 July 2026 – Updated Resident Doctor Pay Scales Published
NHS Employers published an updated medical and dental pay circular incorporating the revised nodal point structure.
July 2026 – 2027/28 Pay Process Begins
The Government formally launched the next NHS Pay Review Body process.
Conclusion
The NHS pay rise for 2026/27 provides a 3.3% consolidated increase for Agenda for Change employees in England, including nurses, midwives, paramedics, healthcare assistants and many other NHS professionals.
New English Agenda for Change salaries have applied since 1 April 2026, with Band 5 now starting at £32,073, Band 6 at £39,959 and Band 7 at £49,387.
Doctors are covered separately. Most received a 3.5% headline award, while the agreement reached with resident doctors has introduced additional pay progression reforms that mean increases vary according to training stage.
NHS workers should therefore check their individual band, pay point, country and contract before calculating what the latest award means for their salary.
Attention is now beginning to move towards the 2027/28 NHS pay round, but no final general percentage has yet been confirmed.
For the most reliable figures, employees should use official Government information and the current NHS Employers pay scales rather than relying on estimates or older salary tables
Frequently Asked Questions About the NHS Pay Rise
What is the NHS Pay Rise for 2026/27?
Most Agenda for Change NHS staff in England received a 3.3% consolidated pay increase from 1 April 2026.
What is the NHS Nurse Pay Rise in 2026?
Nurses employed under Agenda for Change in England received the 3.3% 2026/27 uplift.
When Did the NHS Pay Rise Start?
The new Agenda for Change pay rates took effect on 1 April 2026.
What is the Band 5 NHS Salary in 2026?
Band 5 salaries in England range from £32,073 to £39,043, depending on the employee’s pay step.
What is the Band 6 NHS Salary?
Band 6 salaries in England range from £39,959 to £48,117 in 2026/27.
What is the Band 7 NHS Salary?
Band 7 salaries in England range from £49,387 to £56,515.
Did Doctors Get the Same NHS Pay Rise?
No. Most doctors received a 3.5% headline increase, while further pay-structure changes provide additional increases for some resident doctors.
Is There Another NHS Pay Rise Coming in 2027?
The 2027/28 pay-review process is under way, but a final general Agenda for Change percentage has not yet been confirmed as of August 2026.
Is the NHS Pay Rise the Same in Scotland?
No. Agenda for Change staff in NHS Scotland received a 3.75% increase from April 2026 under Scotland’s separate pay agreement.
Does Everyone Receive 3.3% More in Their Bank Account?
No. The 3.3% relates to gross basic salary. Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, student loans and other deductions affect the actual increase in take-home pay.
About the Journalist
Olivia covers London life, culture and lifestyle for Londoner. Her work includes food, shopping, neighbourhood trends, attractions, local experiences and practical guides for residents and visitors. She focuses on engaging stories that reflect everyday life across the capital.
