Answers · UK 2025/26

What is the take-home pay for an NHS Band 5 employee?

NHS Band 5 -- newly qualified nurses, physiotherapists and other registered professionals -- typically pay in the range of roughly £29,970 to £36,483 a year on the Agenda for Change pay scale. On a representative salary of £32,000 in 2026/27, take-home pay after Income Tax (£3,886) and National Insurance (£1,554.40) is £26,559.60 a year, or about £2,213.30 a month -- before NHS Pension Scheme contributions.

Last updated: 10 July 2026Last reviewed: 10 July 2026How we verify

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Band 5 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale is where most newly registered professionals start their NHS career, including newly qualified nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals straight out of university, with pay points spanning roughly £29,970 at the entry point to £36,483 at the top of the band -- exact figures vary by pay award year and any high-cost-area supplement in London and the South East. Taking a representative salary of £32,000 for 2026/27: the tax-free Personal Allowance covers the first £12,570, and the remaining £19,430 is taxed at the 20% basic rate, giving £3,886 Income Tax. National Insurance is 8% of the same £19,430, giving £1,554.40. Total deductions of £5,440.40 leave take-home pay of £26,559.60 a year, around £2,213.30 a month, before the NHS Pension Scheme contribution, which is compulsory for most NHS staff and deducted before Income Tax is calculated -- Band 5 earners typically fall into a tier around 6.5% to 8.3% of pensionable pay. Because Band 5 staff are often working unsocial hours, night shifts and weekends early in their registered career, enhancements on top of basic pay are common and taxed at the same marginal rate as ordinary salary. Progression to Band 6 typically follows a few years of post-registration experience or additional specialist qualifications.