Answers · UK 2025/26

What is the take-home pay for an NHS Band 6 occupational therapist in the UK?

An NHS Band 6 occupational therapist typically earns in the range of roughly £37,000 to £45,000 on the Agenda for Change pay scale. On a salary of £38,000 in 2026/27, take-home pay after Income Tax (£5,086) and National Insurance (£2,034.40) is £30,879.60 a year, or about £2,573.30 a month, before NHS Pension Scheme contributions.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

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NHS Band 6 occupational therapists, typically those with a few years of post-registration experience working with adult or paediatric caseloads, sit on the same Agenda for Change Band 6 range as senior physiotherapists and other allied health professionals, spanning roughly £37,000 to £45,000. On a mid-scale salary of £38,000 for 2026/27, the tax-free Personal Allowance covers the first £12,570, and the remaining £25,430 is taxed at the 20% basic rate, giving £5,086 Income Tax. National Insurance is 8% of the same £25,430, giving £2,034.40. Total deductions of £7,120.40 leave take-home pay of £30,879.60 a year, around £2,573.30 a month, before the NHS Pension Scheme contribution. NHS Pension Scheme contributions are tiered based on pensionable pay, typically ranging from around 5% at the lowest bands to around 12% for the highest earners, and are deducted before Income Tax is calculated, providing valuable upfront tax relief in addition to the defined benefit pension built up. Occupational therapists working in community or home-visiting roles may also receive a car allowance or mileage reimbursement, which is generally non-taxable up to HMRC's approved mileage rates, with any excess taxed as a benefit in kind.