NHS Band 5 Salary
£31,049 - £37,796
2025/26 England pay scale - 3 pay points over 4 years
Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
2025/26 Pay Scale - England
| Pay Point | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | £31,049 | £2,587.42 |
| Intermediate (2 yrs) | £33,487 | £2,790.58 |
| Top of Band (4 yrs) | £37,796 | £3,149.67 |
2026/27 Pay Scale - England
| Pay Point | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | £32,073 | £2,672.75 |
| Intermediate (2 yrs) | £34,592 | £2,882.67 |
| Top of Band (4 yrs) | £39,043 | £3,253.58 |
About Band 5
Band 5 is the entry point for most newly qualified registered healthcare professionals in the NHS. This includes staff nurses, midwives, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists, and dietitians.
Band 5 has 3 pay points. You start at entry level and progress to the intermediate point after 2 years, then to the top of the band after 4 years total, subject to satisfactory performance at your annual appraisal.
Your actual take-home pay will depend on your pension scheme contributions (typically 8.3% at this salary level), income tax, National Insurance, and any additional payments such as unsocial hours enhancements or High Cost Area Supplements if you work in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHS Band 5 salary in 2025/26?
NHS Band 5 salary in England for 2025/26 ranges from £31,049 at entry level to £37,796 at the top of the band. There are 3 pay points: Entry (£31,049), Intermediate after 2 years (£33,487), and Top of Band after 4 years (£37,796).
What is the NHS Band 5 salary in 2026/27?
NHS Band 5 salary in England for 2026/27 ranges from £32,073 at entry level to £39,043 at the top of the band, reflecting a pay uplift from the 2025/26 rates.
What will my Band 5 take-home pay be?
Band 5 take-home pay depends on your pay point, pension scheme, tax code, student loans, and any additional payments like unsocial hours. A Band 5 entry-level nurse in England on the 2015 pension scheme with a standard 1257L tax code will take home approximately £1,984 per month. Use our free calculator to get your exact figure.
What jobs are NHS Band 5?
NHS Band 5 roles include newly qualified staff nurses, midwives, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists, dietitians, and other registered healthcare professionals at the start of their NHS career.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 5?
It takes 4 years to reach the top of Band 5 in England, with an intermediate pay point at 2 years. Progression is subject to satisfactory performance demonstrated through your annual appraisal. In Scotland, the intermediate point is also at 2 years but the top of band is reached after 4 years.