NHS Nurse Salary 2026/27: From Newly Qualified to Matron

Nursing pay in the NHS follows the Agenda for Change pay scale, which means a nurse's salary is set by the band of their post and how long they have been on it. Two nurses on the same ward can earn very different amounts, and once nights and weekends are added, the gap can widen further. This guide follows a typical nursing career from registration upwards.

Newly qualified nurses: Band 5

Registered nurses start on Band 5. For 2026/27 that means:

Take-home figures assume full-time hours, the NHS Pension and tax code 1257L, with no student loan. Most newly qualified nurses do have a loan, and on Plan 2 that reduces take-home by about £20 a month at entry. On Plan 5, which applies to courses starting from August 2023, the deduction is larger because repayments start at £25,000.

Your first year usually includes a preceptorship, a structured period of support. It does not change your band, but it is when you build the experience that Band 6 posts ask for.

What shifts add to a nurse's pay

Ward nurses rarely earn basic pay alone. For Band 5 to Band 7:

• Weekday nights (8pm to 6am) and Saturdays are paid at basic plus 30%.
• Sundays and public holidays are paid at basic plus 60%.

A Band 5 nurse on a rota with four nights and two weekend days a month could add roughly £300 to £420 a month before deductions, depending on how many of the weekend hours fall on a Sunday. The shift pay calculator shows what an individual shift pays, and the unsocial hours calculator works out a monthly pattern.

Unsocial hours are usually paid a month in arrears, so your first payslip after starting a rota may look low.

Senior staff nurse and junior sister: Band 6

Band 6 nursing roles include senior staff nurse, deputy sister or charge nurse, and many specialist and community posts such as district nurses and health visitors. Our Band 6 salary guide explains how much the move from Band 5 is really worth at each step.

Sister, charge nurse and nurse specialist: Band 7

Ward managers, sisters, charge nurses and clinical nurse specialists are typically Band 7. This is where part of your pay may be taxed at 40%, especially with enhancements.

Matron and advanced practice: Band 8a and above

Matrons are commonly paid on Band 8a or 8b, and qualified advanced clinical practitioners are often on Band 8a. Band 8a runs from £57,528 to £64,750. Above that, heads of nursing and senior nurse leaders are on Band 8c, 8d or 9.

Other nursing roles

• Nursing associates are registered with the NMC and usually paid on Band 4 (£28,392 to £31,157).
• Healthcare assistants are usually on Band 2 or 3. See our healthcare assistant salary guide.
• Student nurses are not paid a salary during their course. Many in England can claim the NHS Learning Support Fund, which does not need to be repaid.

Mental health, children's and learning disability nurses

All four fields of nursing are paid on the same Agenda for Change scale. A newly registered mental health nurse starts on the same Band 5 salary as an adult nurse. Differences in actual pay come from the shift pattern and location, not the field.

Nurses working in London

On top of basic pay, nurses in and around London receive a high cost area supplement. In Inner London it is 20% of basic pay, with a minimum of £5,794 and a maximum of £8,746 a year. A newly qualified nurse in Inner London receives £6,415 on top of the £32,073 salary, a total of £38,488. The London weighting calculator works out each zone.

How a nursing career adds up

Here is a simplified example of a nurse who moves to Band 6 after three years and Band 7 after eight:

1. Years 1 to 2: Band 5 entry, £32,073
2. Year 3: Band 5 second step, £34,592
3. Years 4 to 5: Band 6 entry, £39,959
4. Years 6 to 8: Band 6 second step, £42,170
5. Year 9 onwards: Band 7 entry, £49,387, rising to £56,515

These figures are at 2026/27 rates. Annual pay awards usually lift every point on the scale each year.

Common questions

Do nurses get paid more for a degree? No. Pay depends on the band of the post, not on your qualifications.

Is agency work better paid? Hourly rates can be higher, but you lose NHS sick pay, the NHS Pension employer contribution and paid leave unless they are built into the rate.

Does experience abroad count? Internationally educated nurses usually start on Band 5 once registered with the NMC. Some employers count previous experience towards a higher starting point.

Try your own figures

Use the take-home pay calculator to work out your monthly pay at any band, hours and student loan plan.