Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Founder, WebCalculator
Agenda for Change pay points and pension tiers are based on NHS Employers and NHS Pensions guidance; tax and NI from HMRC for 2026/27. Estimates only, not financial advice.
Pick your Agenda for Change band and pay point to see your gross NHS salary and what actually lands in your account — after Income Tax, National Insurance and your tiered NHS pension contribution.
Agenda for Change · England
Almost all NHS staff except doctors and dentists are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. Your salary depends on your band (1 to 9, reflecting the role) and your pay point within that band, which rises with experience. On top of basic pay you may receive a High Cost Area Supplement if you work in or around London, plus unsocial-hours enhancements for nights and weekends.
| Band | Typical role | Approx. gross |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Healthcare assistant | £24,000 |
| Band 5 | Newly qualified nurse | £30,000–£37,000 |
| Band 6 | Senior nurse / specialist | £37,000–£45,000 |
| Band 7 | Advanced practitioner | £46,000–£52,000 |
| Band 8a | Manager / consultant AHP | £53,000–£60,000 |
Contributions are tiered by your pensionable pay. Most Band 5 and Band 6 staff sit in the 9.8% tier. Higher earners pay up to 12.5%. Because it uses a net pay arrangement, the contribution reduces your taxable salary, so your real cost is lower than the headline percentage. Cross-check the rest of your deductions on the salary calculator or the National Insurance calculator.
A newly qualified Band 5 nurse on the entry point earns about £30,000 gross. After tax, NI and a 9.8% NHS pension contribution, take-home is roughly £1,950–£2,050 a month, before any London weighting or unsocial-hours pay.
It's tiered from about 5.2% to 12.5% of pensionable pay. Most Band 5–6 staff pay 9.8%. It's deducted before Income Tax, so it lowers your tax bill.
Yes — choose Inner London, Outer London or Fringe and a High Cost Area Supplement is added to basic pay before tax, NI and pension are calculated.
Night, weekend and bank-holiday shifts attract unsocial-hours enhancements, and bank or overtime shifts add extra. This tool shows basic pay plus any HCAS only.