NHS Apprenticeship Pay Explained: What Apprentices Earn in 2026/27
NHS apprentices are paid in different ways depending on the role and the employer. Here is how each approach works, with real figures.
Updated · 5 min read
Try it with your own numbersNHS Hourly Rate CalculatorNHS apprenticeships let you earn while you train, from business administration and healthcare support roles to nursing, physiotherapy and paramedic degrees. Unlike most employers, NHS organisations do not usually pay apprentices the legal minimum. But there is no single national apprentice pay rate either, so what you earn depends on the post and how your employer sets apprentice pay.
The three common ways NHS apprentices are paid
1. On the band of an apprentice post
Many apprenticeships, especially for support roles, are advertised as posts on a normal Agenda for Change band. For 2026/27 in England:
| Band | Salary | Hourly rate | Monthly take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £12.92 | £1,700 |
| Band 3 entry | £25,760 | £13.17 | £1,727 |
| Band 4 entry | £28,392 | £14.52 | £1,874 |
Take-home pay assumes full-time hours, the NHS Pension and tax code 1257L. Apprenticeships such as healthcare support worker, business administration and pharmacy services are often on Band 2 or 3. Trainee nursing associates are commonly on Band 3.
2. A percentage of the qualified band (Annex 21)
For longer training routes, such as degree apprenticeships, employers can use Annex 21 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, which covers the pay of trainees. It pays a percentage of the top of the band you are training towards, rising as you get closer to qualifying:
| Time until qualifying | Percentage of the top of the band |
|---|---|
| More than 3 years | 60% |
| 2 to 3 years | 65% |
| 1 to 2 years | 70% |
| Final 12 months | 75% |
For a registered nurse degree apprenticeship, where the qualified role is Band 5 with a top point of £39,043, that would mean:
| Stage | Annex 21 pay |
|---|---|
| 60% | £23,426 |
| 65% | £25,378 |
| 70% | £27,330 |
| 75% | £29,282 |
Annex 21 also says pay must never be below the main adult rate of the National Minimum Wage. In 2026/27 that is £12.71 an hour, or about £24,853 a year for full-time hours, so the 60% stage would be topped up to that level.
3. Your existing salary
Many trusts let existing staff train through an apprenticeship while keeping their current pay. For example, a Band 3 healthcare support worker who starts a nursing degree apprenticeship might stay on Band 3 pay throughout. Ask your employer which approach applies before you apply.
The legal minimum, for comparison
From 1 April 2026, the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate is £8.00 an hour. It applies to apprentices under 19, or aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. Full time, that is about £15,643 a year. NHS employers almost always pay well above this, but it is worth knowing so you can compare offers from other employers.
Who pays for the training?
In England, apprenticeship training costs are paid by the employer through the apprenticeship levy. You do not take out a student loan for the course fees, which is one of the biggest financial advantages over a traditional university route.
Pay after you qualify
When you finish, you normally move onto the band of your new role. Under Annex 21, you enter either at the first pay point of the band or the next point above your training salary. For a newly registered nurse, that is Band 5 at £32,073 in 2026/27, rising to £39,043. See our nurse salary guide for the full career path.
Other benefits apprentices get
As NHS employees, apprentices usually get:
- the NHS Pension, with a large employer contribution
- 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS sick pay, maternity and paternity pay
- unsocial hours enhancements for any nights, weekends or bank holidays worked
Apprentices on Band 2 or 3 also get the higher unsocial hours percentages that apply to those bands.
Questions to ask before accepting an apprenticeship
- Which band, or which Annex 21 percentage, will I be paid on in each year?
- Will I keep my current salary if I am already an employee?
- How much paid time is there for study and placements?
- Is there a commitment to stay after qualifying, and what happens if I leave early?
Common questions
Can apprentices work overtime? Sometimes, but study time and working time rules come first.
Do apprentices pay into the NHS Pension? Usually yes, at the rate for their pay.
Is apprentice pay taxed? Yes, in the normal way through PAYE.
A worked example: a four-year nursing degree apprenticeship
Here is how pay could look for an apprentice paid under Annex 21 towards a Band 5 nursing post, using 2026/27 figures. Real figures rise each year with pay awards.
| Year | Annex 21 rate | Pay before the minimum wage floor | Pay after the floor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (more than 3 years to go) | 60% | £23,426 | about £24,853 |
| Year 2 | 65% | £25,378 | £25,378 |
| Year 3 | 70% | £27,330 | £27,330 |
| Year 4 (final 12 months) | 75% | £29,282 | £29,282 |
| Qualified | Band 5 entry | £32,073 |
In year one the percentage would fall below the National Living Wage for someone aged 21 or over, so pay is topped up to the legal minimum. Over the four years, the apprentice earns more than £100,000 in total, with no tuition fees to repay. A student on a traditional degree route would usually have tuition fee and maintenance loans instead.
Check your hourly rate
Use the hourly rate calculator for any band, or the take-home pay calculator for your monthly pay.
This guide explains the general rules for staff in England using 2026/27 figures. It is not financial advice. Your employer, payslip or NHS Pensions statement has the final word on your own pay.