NHS Midwife Salary: Agenda for Change Pay Bands
What would you actually earn as a midwife in the NHS? Pay follows the national Agenda for Change framework. Here are the bands most relevant to internationally-educated midwives, with indicative 2024/25 figures for England, London weighting, and how progression works β all with sources.
A newly registered midwife in England typically starts on Agenda for Change Band 5 during preceptorship β indicatively Β£29,970 to Β£36,483 β and progresses to Band 6 (Β£37,338 to Β£44,962) for 2024/25. Many substantive midwifery posts sit at Band 6, and pay rises with responsibility through Band 7 and beyond; London roles add a High Cost Area Supplement on top. Source: NHS Agenda for Change pay scales (England), 2024/25, NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Indicative full-time figures, revised annually β confirm the current scale. As of 2026-07.
Registered-midwife pay bands (England, 2024/25)
These are the bands most midwives progress through once registered. Figures are indicative full-time annual salaries and move up in points within each band.
| Band | Typical midwifery role | Indicative annual pay (England) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | Newly registered midwife (preceptorship) | Β£29,970 β Β£36,483 | Many newly registered midwives start here during a preceptorship period after gaining their NMC PIN, before progressing to Band 6. |
| Band 6 | Registered midwife | Β£37,338 β Β£44,962 | The substantive registered-midwife band most midwives reach after completing preceptorship. A large share of NHS midwifery posts sit here. |
| Band 7 | Specialist midwife, labour ward coordinator, team leader | Β£46,148 β Β£52,809 | Advanced clinical practice, specialist roles or coordinating a ward or team. |
| Band 8a | Matron, consultant midwife, senior midwifery manager | Β£53,755 β Β£60,504 | Senior clinical leadership and service management roles in maternity. |
Source: NHS Agenda for Change pay scales (England), 2024/25, published by NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Indicative β the scale is negotiated and updated each year.
Support-role bands before registration
Some internationally-educated midwives work in a maternity support role while completing the OSCE, then move to a registered-midwife post once they hold their NMC PIN.
| Band | Typical midwifery role | Indicative annual pay (England) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 3 | Maternity support worker | Β£24,071 β Β£25,674 | Some midwives work in a maternity support role while preparing for the OSCE, then move to a registered-midwife post on registration. |
| Band 4 | Senior maternity support worker / nursing associate | Β£26,530 β Β£29,114 | A common pre-registration or OSCE-preparation band before a registered-midwife post. |
Source: NHS Agenda for Change pay scales (England), 2024/25, NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Indicative full-time figures.
London weighting (High Cost Area Supplement)
Roles in and around London attract an extra payment on top of the national scale.
Inner London
β 20%
Subject to a minimum and maximum cash amount.
Outer London
β 15%
Subject to a minimum and maximum cash amount.
Fringe
β 5%
Subject to a minimum and maximum cash amount.
High Cost Area Supplement is added to basic Agenda for Change pay. The exact percentages and the minimum/maximum caps are set nationally and published by NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Treat these as indicative and confirm the current values.
Beyond basic pay
Your headline band is not the whole picture.
- Enhanced pay for nights, weekends and bank holidays is added under Agenda for Change unsocial-hours rules β relevant for midwives working shifts on delivery suites.
- NHS Pension Scheme membership is a significant part of the total reward package.
- Annual leave starts at a generous allowance and increases with NHS service.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a newly registered midwife earn in the NHS?+
A newly registered midwife in England typically starts on Agenda for Change Band 5 during a preceptorship period and progresses to Band 6. For 2024/25 the Band 5 range is indicatively Β£29,970 to Β£36,483 and Band 6 is Β£37,338 to Β£44,962 per year for full-time work. Pay is set nationally each year and differs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and London roles add a High Cost Area Supplement.
What band do internationally-educated midwives start on?+
Once you hold your NMC PIN you are normally appointed to a registered-midwife post, commonly starting on Band 5 during preceptorship and moving to Band 6. Some practitioners work in a Band 3 or Band 4 maternity support role while they complete their OSCE, then move to a registered-midwife band on registration. Your band reflects the role you are doing, not where you trained.
What is London weighting for NHS midwives?+
The NHS adds a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) to basic pay for roles in and around London: broadly around 20% in Inner London, 15% in Outer London and 5% in the Fringe, each subject to a minimum and maximum cash amount. It is paid on top of your Agenda for Change salary. The exact percentages and caps are published by NHS Employers.
How does midwife pay progress?+
Within a band, you move up pay points with experience. To increase your band you take on more responsibility β for example moving from a Band 6 registered midwife to a Band 7 specialist midwife, labour ward coordinator or team leader, and beyond to matron or consultant-midwife roles. Progression between bands depends on the role you are appointed to, not automatic time served.
Do these figures apply across the whole UK?+
No. The figures on this page are for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each run their own Agenda for Change pay scales, which are broadly similar in structure but differ in the exact amounts. Always check the scale for the nation where you will work.
More UK midwife-registration guides
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Important β please read
This is general information to help internationally-educated midwives understand the UK registration pathway. It is not recruitment, immigration or legal advice. Gera is not a recruitment agency: we do not place midwives into NHS jobs, do not match candidates to specific vacancies, and never charge a midwife a placement fee. You apply on your own account, directly to NHS trusts and other licensed employers. Requirements, fees and pay scales change β always confirm the current position with the NMC (nmc.org.uk), UK Visas and Immigration (gov.uk) and NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org).