GeraClinic / Gera Healthcare Pay Index / Agenda for Change
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands 2026/27
Annual basic pay for all nine Agenda for Change bands in England, effective 1 April 2026 (2026/27 pay year), with the previous year for comparison. Agenda for Change covers every NHS role except doctors, dentists and very senior managers.
What are the NHS Agenda for Change pay bands for 2026/27?
As of April 2026, NHS Agenda for Change pay in England runs from £25,272 (Band 2) to £112,782 – £129,783 (Band 9). A newly qualified nurse on Band 5 earns £32,073 – £39,043, and Band 6 is £39,959 – £48,117. Band minimums rose about 3.3% year on year. Source: NHS Employers.
| Band | 2026/27 | 2025/26 | Year-on-year | Typical roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £24,465 | +3.3% | Healthcare assistant, domestic support, clerical |
| Band 3 | £25,760 – £27,476 | £24,937 – £26,598 | +3.3% | Senior healthcare assistant, emergency care assistant |
| Band 4 | £28,392 – £31,157 | £27,485 – £30,162 | +3.3% | Assistant practitioner, pharmacy technician, therapy assistant |
| Band 5 | £32,073 – £39,043 | £31,049 – £37,796 | +3.3% | Newly qualified nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, paramedic |
| Band 6 | £39,959 – £48,117 | £38,682 – £46,580 | +3.3% | Specialist / senior nurse, experienced AHP, biomedical scientist |
| Band 7 | £49,387 – £56,515 | £47,810 – £54,710 | +3.3% | Advanced nurse practitioner, team lead, ward manager |
| Band 8a | £57,528 – £64,750 | £55,690 – £62,682 | +3.3% | Advanced practitioner, principal pharmacist, service lead |
| Band 8b | £66,582 – £77,368 | £64,455 – £74,896 | +3.3% | Consultant nurse / AHP, head of service |
| Band 8c | £79,504 – £91,609 | £76,965 – £88,682 | +3.3% | Head of nursing, deputy director of a clinical service |
| Band 8d | £94,356 – £108,814 | £91,342 – £105,337 | +3.3% | Director of a clinical service, chief pharmacist |
| Band 9 | £112,782 – £129,783 | £109,179 – £125,637 | +3.3% | Director-level clinical / corporate leadership |
Each band has several pay points; staff progress up the points with experience, so most people earn between the band minimum and maximum shown. Figures are annual gross basic pay and exclude High Cost Area Supplements (London), unsocial-hours enhancements, on-call and overtime.
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Sources
Source: NHS Employers — Agenda for Change pay scales (2026/27) (April 2026).
Source: NHS Employers — Agenda for Change pay scales (2025/26) (April 2025).
Contains public sector information published by Department of Health and Social Care and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS pay award 2026 to 2027 (3.5% for doctors and dentists) — DHSC (April 2026).
England only — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own Agenda for Change scales. Informational reference; not financial or employment advice.