NHS AfC Band Take-Home Pay · 2026/27
Entry-point salaries · England · Before London weighting. After-tax figures shown before and after NHS pension contribution.
| Band |
Starting Salary |
Before Pension (Monthly) |
NHS Pension % |
After Pension (Monthly) |
| Band 2 | £24,071 | £1,738 | 5.1% | £1,636 |
| Band 3 | £24,625 | £1,771 | 5.7% | £1,654 |
| Band 4 | £26,530 | £1,885 | 5.7% | £1,759 |
| Band 5 | £29,970 | £2,092 | 5.7% | £1,949 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £2,534 | 6.1% | £2,344 |
| Band 7 | £46,148 | £3,062 | 6.8% | £2,800 |
| Band 8a | £53,755 | £3,478 | 9.8% | £3,040 |
| Band 8b | £62,215 | £3,887 | 12.5% | £3,239 |
London High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) adds up to £6,469/year for Inner London. Use the NHS Pay Calculator above to include your band, location and pension tier for an accurate figure.
NHS Pay Calculator FAQs
What is NHS Band 5 take-home pay per month 2026?
An NHS Band 5 starting salary of £29,970 gives approximately £2,092/month after income tax and NI, before pension. After the NHS pension contribution of 5.7%, take-home is around £1,949/month. London Inner HCAS weighting adds up to £6,469/year on top of base salary.
What is NHS Band 6 take-home pay per month 2026?
An NHS Band 6 starting salary of £37,338 gives approximately £2,534/month after income tax and NI, before pension. After the NHS pension contribution of 6.1%, take-home is around £2,344/month. Use the calculator above to add London weighting or a student loan for a more precise figure.
What is NHS Band 7 take-home pay per month 2026?
An NHS Band 7 starting salary of £46,148 gives approximately £3,062/month after income tax and NI, before pension. After the NHS pension contribution of 6.8%, take-home is around £2,800/month. Band 7 salary sits in the higher income tax band, so marginal income tax is 40% on earnings above £50,270.
How much is the NHS pension contribution in 2026/27?
NHS pension employee contributions in 2026/27 range from 5.1% (earnings up to £13,259) up to 12.5% (earnings above £62,215). Band 5 staff typically pay 5.7% · Band 6 pays 6.1% · Band 7 pays 6.8% · Band 8a pays 9.8% · Band 8b pays 12.5%. The NHS pension is a defined benefit CARE scheme and one of the most valuable workplace pensions in the UK.
What is London weighting for NHS staff?
NHS High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) adds a percentage of salary subject to minimum and maximum caps. Inner London: 20% of salary (min £5,132 · max £8,724/year). Outer London: 15% (min £4,265 · max £6,521). London Fringe: 5% (min £1,236 · max £2,077). The supplement is paid on top of your AfC band salary and is pensionable.
For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · NHS pay rates are estimates for 2026/27 · Verify with NHS Employers and HMRC