# NetPayScale UK (NHS Edition) — 2026/27 Official Agenda for Change Take-Home Pay Reference

> Official 2026/27 UK NHS Salary & Pension Calculator for 1.3M+ Agenda for Change healthcare staff. Computes net take-home pay, 3.3% AfC pay steps, London Weighting (HCAS), NHS 2015 CARE Pension tiers, Section 2 unsocial hours, Maternity Pay (OMP/SMP), Sick Pay, and Annual Leave.

Canonical: https://netpayscale.uk/
Last updated: 2026-10-26

## Summary of 2026/27 Statutory NHS Pay Rules
- **Agenda for Change Pay Uplift (Effective 1 April 2026):** Confirmed **3.3% consolidated increase** across all Bands 2 to 9, with the Band 2 single spine point set at **£25,272/yr (£12.92/hr)** and Band 5 entry at **£32,073/yr (£16.40/hr)**.
- **Standard Full-Time Contract (1.0 FTE):** **37.5 hours/week** (1,955.36 hours/year; 52.143 weeks/year).
- **Income Tax (England, Wales & NI 2026/27):** £12,570 Personal Allowance (0%), 20% Basic Rate (£12,571–£50,270), 40% Higher Rate (£50,271–£125,140), 45% Additional Rate (>£125,140). Personal Allowance tapers by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income above £100,000.
- **Employee Class 1 National Insurance (2026/27):** 8% between £12,570 and £50,270/yr; 2% above £50,270/yr.
- **High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS London Weighting 2026/27):**
  - **Inner London (20% of base):** Minimum **£5,794/yr** | Maximum **£8,746/yr**
  - **Outer London (15% of base):** Minimum **£4,870/yr** | Maximum **£6,137/yr**
  - **London Fringe (5% of base):** Minimum **£1,346/yr** | Maximum **£2,270/yr**

## 2026/27 NHS Agenda for Change Pay Scales & Monthly Net Take-Home Table (Bands 2 to 9)

| NHS Band | Entry Gross (Monthly Net) | Top Step Gross (Monthly Net) | Hourly Rate Range | Entry Pension Tier | Inner London Entry Net/Mo |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| [Band 2](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-2/) | £25,272 (£1,700/mo net) | £25,272 (£1,700/mo net) | £12.92 – £12.92/hr | 6.5% | £2,023/mo |
| [Band 3](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-3/) | £25,760 (£1,727/mo net) | £27,476 (£1,823/mo net) | £13.17 – £14.05/hr | 6.5% | £2,050/mo |
| [Band 4](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-4/) | £28,392 (£1,874/mo net) | £31,157 (£1,990/mo net) | £14.52 – £15.93/hr | 6.5% | £2,196/mo |
| [Band 5](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-5/) | £32,073 (£2,040/mo net) | £39,043 (£2,381/mo net) | £16.40 – £19.97/hr | 8.3% | £2,390/mo |
| [Band 6](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-6/) | £39,959 (£2,430/mo net) | £48,117 (£2,866/mo net) | £20.44 – £24.61/hr | 9.8% | £2,857/mo |
| [Band 7](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-7/) | £49,387 (£2,934/mo net) | £56,515 (£3,309/mo net) | £25.26 – £28.90/hr | 9.8% | £3,405/mo |
| [Band 8a](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-8a/) | £57,528 (£3,353/mo net) | £64,750 (£3,663/mo net) | £29.42 – £33.11/hr | 10.7% | £3,728/mo |
| [Band 8b](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-8b/) | £66,582 (£3,742/mo net) | £77,368 (£4,136/mo net) | £34.05 – £39.57/hr | 10.7% | £4,118/mo |
| [Band 8c](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-8c/) | £79,504 (£4,226/mo net) | £91,609 (£4,735/mo net) | £40.66 – £46.85/hr | 12.5% | £4,594/mo |
| [Band 8d](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-8d/) | £94,356 (£4,851/mo net) | £108,814 (£5,459/mo net) | £48.26 – £55.65/hr | 12.5% | £5,219/mo |
| [Band 9](https://netpayscale.uk/bands/band-9/) | £112,782 (£5,626/mo net) | £129,783 (£6,115/mo net) | £57.68 – £66.37/hr | 12.5% | £5,888/mo |

## 2026/27 NHS Pension Scheme (2015 CARE) Employee & Employer Contribution Tiers

| Tier | Whole-Time Equivalent Pensionable Pay (2026/27) | Employee Contribution Rate | Employer Contribution Rate |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Tier 1 | £0 – £13,259 | 5.2% | 23.7% |
| Tier 2 | £13,259 – £28,854 | 6.5% | 23.7% |
| Tier 3 | £28,854 – £35,155 | 8.3% | 23.7% |
| Tier 4 | £35,155 – £52,778 | 9.8% | 23.7% |
| Tier 5 | £52,778 – £67,668 | 10.7% | 23.7% |
| Tier 6 | £67,668+ | 12.5% | 23.7% |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How is NHS net take-home pay calculated in 2026/27?
NHS net pay is calculated by taking your gross Agenda for Change salary (plus pensionable HCAS London Weighting and any non-pensionable unsocial hours), deducting your 2015 CARE NHS Pension contribution first under the Net-Pay Arrangement, and then applying HMRC PAYE Income Tax and Class 1 Employee National Insurance (8% / 2%).

### What is the 2026/27 Band 5 Nurse starting salary and monthly take-home pay?
In 2026/27, a Band 5 Nurse in England starts on **£32,073 gross per year** (£16.40/hr). After an 8.3% NHS Pension contribution (£222/mo), Income Tax (£288/mo), and National Insurance (£130/mo), the standard monthly net take-home pay outside London is **£2,033 per month** (or **£2,367/month** in Inner London with 20% HCAS).

## Related Calculators & Guides
- [NHS Take-Home Pay Calculator](https://netpayscale.uk/)
- [NHS Pension Calculator (2015 CARE Scheme)](https://netpayscale.uk/pension-calculator/)
- [NHS Sick Pay & Half-Pay Calculator](https://netpayscale.uk/sick-pay-calculator/)
- [NHS Maternity Pay (OMP + SMP) Calculator](https://netpayscale.uk/maternity-pay-calculator/)
- [NHS Annual Leave & Pro-Rata Holiday Calculator](https://netpayscale.uk/annual-leave-calculator/)
- [NHS Bank Shift, Overtime & Section 2 Unsocial Hours Calculator](https://netpayscale.uk/bank-shift-calculator/)