NHS Pay Rise Calculator 2026/27

The government has confirmed a consolidated pay rise of 3.3% for all Agenda for Change (AfC) NHS staff in England for the 2026/27 financial year.

A starting Band 5 nurse earning a base of roughly £32,074 (after the 3.3% rise) will take home approximately £2,100 per month after tax, National Insurance, and the 6.5% NHS pension deduction. You can use our calculator to see the exact figure.

The NHS Pension scheme uses a tiered contribution system based on your total pensionable pay. Rates start at 5.1% for lower earners and step up to 6.5%, 8.3%, 9.8%, 12.5%, and finally 13.5% for the highest earners.

NHS staff working in and around London receive a high-cost area supplement (HCAS). This is an additional percentage added to their basic pay: 20% for Inner London, 15% for Outer London, and 5% for the Fringe, subject to minimum and maximum cash caps.

The 3.3% award comes into effect from April 2026. Depending on payroll processing times at individual trusts, it will typically appear in April or May payslips.

A starting Band 6 employee will earn around £40,478 gross after the 3.3% rise. After a 8.3% pension deduction, PAYE, and NI, this translates to roughly £2,525 net take-home per month.

Yes. Because the 3.3% pay rise increases your gross salary, it may push your total pensionable pay into the next NHS Pension tier (e.g., from 6.5% to 8.3%), which means a slightly larger percentage of your pay will be deducted for your pension.