Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the take-home pay for an NHS Band 5 nurse in 2025/26?
NHS Band 5 (Agenda for Change) salary in England 2025/26 ranges £31,049 (entry) to £37,796 (top of band). Entry point net take-home is about £25,793/year (£2,149/month). Top point nets about £30,224/year (£2,519/month).
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NHS Agenda for Change Band 5 for 2025/26 (England): entry point £31,049, intermediate £33,948, top £37,796 (subject to the annual NHS pay award). Take-home for entry (£31,049): Income Tax £3,696, NI £1,478, NHS Pension (employee contribution ~9.8% at that bracket) £3,043 — net around £22,832/year or £1,903/month. Top of band £37,796: tax £5,045, NI £2,018, pension ~£3,705 (rate increases at higher pay) — net around £27,028/year (£2,252/month). Excluding pension contributions: entry net £25,875, top net £30,733. Add London weighting: Inner London +£8,225/year (~26%), Outer London +£5,452, Fringe +£1,553. NHS pensions remain one of the best UK schemes — defined-benefit Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE), 1/54th accrual rate, indexed by CPI+1.5%. Scotland Band 5 differs slightly: entry £32,175 (2025/26).
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.