NHS Pay Bands 2024/25 – Full Guide to Agenda for Change Salaries
The NHS Agenda for Change pay system sets salary bands for the majority of NHS staff across the UK. For the 2024/25 financial year, pay scales are already in effect, while the 2025/26 figures have been published but await final confirmation. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the bands, hourly rates, regional variations, and how progression works, based on official sources from NHS Employers, the Scottish Government, and health unions.
What are the NHS pay bands for 2024/25?
9 (Bands 1-9, excluding doctors/dentists/senior managers)
Agenda for Change (AfC)
5.5% (average; final stages of 2023/24 multi-year deal)
April 2025 (2025/26 scales published)
Key insights for 2024/25
- The 2024/25 pay scales represent the final year of the 2023-24 pay deal, delivering a cumulative increase of approximately 10% over two years.
- Band 5 (starting salary for nurses) ranges from £29,970 to £36,483 in 2024/25, depending on pay point and High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS).
- Hourly rates for support staff (Bands 2-4) remain closely tied to the National Living Wage, with Band 1 effectively phased out.
- Projected 2025/26 scales (3.3% rise) are already published by NHS Employers, but subject to final union consultation.
- Scotland and Wales implement separate pay bargaining, leading to divergence from England by 2025/26.
2024/25 salary snapshot (England excluding London)
| Band | Entry Point (2024/25) | Top Point (2024/25) | Entry Point (2025/26 projected) | Hourly Rate (2024/25 entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £23,615 | £24,455 | £24,465 | £12.08 |
| Band 3 | £24,071 | £25,674 | £26,598 | £12.31 |
| Band 4 | £27,055 | £29,540 | £30,162 | £13.84 |
| Band 5 | £29,970 | £36,483 | £37,796 | £15.34 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £44,962 | £46,580 | £19.10 |
| Band 7 | £45,838 | £53,359 | £55,259 | £23.45 |
| Band 8a | £50,788 | £57,802 | £59,857 | £25.99 |
Figures are for England outside London. HCAS and fringe additions apply separately.
What are the NHS pay scales for 2025/26?
The 2025/26 pay scales have been published by NHS Employers for England, and by the Scottish Government for Scotland. The proposed UK-wide uplift is 3.3%, though final union ballots are pending. Scotland has already confirmed a 4.25% increase for bands 1-4, with higher bands yet to be fully published.
What is the expected NHS pay rise for 2025/26?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the government has offered a 3.3% increase on basic pay. Scotland’s agreement for bands 1-4 is 4.25%, and a 3.75% rise has been previewed for 2026/27. The figures are still subject to union consultation, particularly for higher bands in Scotland.
What is the band 7 NHS pay for 2025/26?
For England, band 7 entry point in 2025/26 is projected at £46,580, rising to £55,259 at the top step. Scotland’s band 7 data for 2025/26 has not been fully released; only bands 1-4 are confirmed so far.
What is the band 8a NHS pay for 2025/26?
The entry point for band 8a in England is projected at £53,265 for 2025/26, with the top step reaching £59,857. These figures include the 3.3% uplift.
While the 2025/26 scales for England are published by NHS Employers, they remain provisional until unions formally accept the offer. Scotland’s higher bands (5-9) are still pending final budget confirmation.
How do NHS pay bands and pay points work?
The Agenda for Change system was introduced in 2004 to standardise NHS pay across roles and regions. Pay bands are tied to job weight, not specific job titles, so two staff members in the same band may perform very different work.
How does pay progression work?
Each band contains several pay points. Staff typically move up one point each year, subject to satisfactory performance, until they reach the top of their band. For example, a band 3 employee enters at the lowest point and after two years moves to the next point. Some bands, like band 5, have multiple steps that take several years to complete.
What is the minimum wage impact on band 1 pay?
Band 1 was effectively phased out in 2023/24, with no new entrants allowed. By 2026, the National Living Wage is expected to equal or exceed band 2 entry rates, further compressing the bottom bands. Temporary uplifts have been applied in some regions to ensure compliance with minimum wage legislation.
Progression from entry to top of band takes between 2 and 8 years depending on the band. Band 3 takes 2 years; band 5 typically takes 4-5 years; band 6 can take up to 6 years. Annual increments are not automatic – they require a satisfactory performance review.
What are the regional differences in NHS pay (Scotland, Wales, England)?
Pay is set centrally for England, while Scotland and Wales have devolved negotiations, leading to increasing divergence. Northern Ireland typically follows England’s lead.
Scotland 2025-26 pay bands
The Scottish Government has confirmed a 4.25% uplift for bands 1-4. Examples: band 2 entry rises from £24,647 to £25,731 (£13.34 per hour); band 3 entry from £26,869 to £28,051 (£14.54 per hour). For bands 5-7, only partial data is available: band 5 entry £33,295 (£17.26 per hour); band 6 entry £41,668 (£21.60 per hour). Higher bands await final budget approval.
Wales pay outlook
Wales’ 2025/26 scales are aligned with England’s 3.3% offer, but the Welsh Government has indicated it may consider a separate policy for 2026/27. No official figures have been released for 2026/27 yet. Current 2025/26 rates for band 2 entry are £24,833 annually.
Cross-UK comparison (entry levels, 2025/26 with National Minimum Wage uplifts)
| Role | England (yr/£) | Hourly | Wales (yr/£) | Hourly | Scotland (yr/£) | Hourly | N. Ireland (yr/£) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 (0+ yrs) | £24,169* | £12.36* | £23,970 | £12.26 | £25,560 | £13.25 | £22,383 | £11.45 |
| Band 3 (0-2 yrs) | £24,169* | £12.36* | £23,970 | £12.26 | £25,694 | £13.32 | £22,383 | £11.45 |
| Band 3 (2+ yrs) | £24,169* | £12.36* | £23,970 | £12.26 | £27,900 | £14.46 | £22,383 | £11.45 |
| Band 4 (0-2 yrs) | £24,625* | £12.59* | £24,433 | £12.50 | £28,011 | £14.52 | £22,816 | £11.67 |
| Band 4 (2+ yrs) | £25,674 | £13.13 | £26,060 | £13.33 | £30,230 | £15.67 | £24,336 | £12.45 |
*Temporary uplifts for National Minimum Wage compliance. Source: nursingnotes.co.uk
By 2025/26, Scotland’s band 2 entry (£25,560) is over £1,100 higher than England’s projected figure (£24,465). This gap is expected to widen if Scotland continues its policy of paying above the Real Living Wage.
What is the timeline of NHS pay agreements for 2024/25 and beyond?
- March 2023: Government and unions agree multi-year pay deal for 2023/24 and 2024/25 (cumulative ~10%).
- April 2024: 2024/25 pay scales come into effect. 5.5% third-year uplift applied.
- September 2024: Unions accept 2024/25 pay offer; iterative negotiations for 2025/26 begin.
- March 2025: NHS Employers publishes 2025/26 pay scales (3.3% rise) pending final union sign-off.
- April 2025: 2025/26 pay scales due to take effect (projected).
- October 2025: Scottish Government publishes 2025-26 pay rates for Scotland.
- TBD 2026: Wales 2026/27 pay scales expected (not yet published).
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about NHS pay scales?
| Topic | Established information | What remains unclear |
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 pay scales (England) | Confirmed. Published by NHS Employers and in effect since April 2024. | No uncertainty. |
| 2025/26 pay scales (England) | Highly probable. Published by NHS Employers, but subject to final union agreement. 3.3% figure is the government’s offer. | Final union ballot may alter the figure. |
| 2026/27 pay scales | Not officially published. Third-party sites project 3-4% rises, but these are estimates. | Completely uncertain. No official data. |
| Scotland 2025-26 pay bands | Confirmed for bands 1-4; partial for bands 5+. Scottish Government has published up to band 4. | Higher bands await final budget confirmation. |
| Wales 2026/27 pay rise | Unknown / under negotiation. No official figures released. | Current data refers to political proposals, not confirmed policy. |
How does the Agenda for Change system fit into the broader NHS pay picture?
The Agenda for Change system was introduced in 2004 to standardise NHS pay across roles and regions. Pay bands are tied to job weight, not specific titles, meaning two people with the same band may do very different work. England’s pay is set centrally; Scotland and Wales have devolved pay negotiations, leading to recent divergence. The 2024/25 band 5 starting salary (£29,970) is below the target set by the Royal College of Nursing (£35,000), a key source of ongoing industrial tension. High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) add 5-20% in London and the South East, significantly altering take-home pay.
Where do the official NHS pay scale figures come from?
“Pay scales for 2024/25: NHS terms and conditions annual, hourly and HCAS pay scales.”
NHS Employers
“Pay scales for 2025/26: Band 3 £12.75 per hour.”
NHS Employers (2025/26)
“This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and very senior managers.”
Health Careers NHS
“NHS pay rates: Bands 1 to 4 2025 to 2026.”
Scottish Government
These official sources are the basis for all figures in this article. Additional cross-UK comparisons cite nursingnotes.co.uk and UNISON Cymru PDF data.
What are the key takeaways for NHS staff?
For the 2024/25 year, pay scales are final. The 2025/26 scales are mostly confirmed but not yet ratified by unions. Scotland offers higher entry rates than England, especially for lower bands. Band 1 is effectively closed to new entrants. HCAS can add thousands to basic pay in London. Staff should monitor the outcome of the union ballot on the 3.3% offer and watch for Scotland’s higher band publications.
Frequently asked questions about NHS pay bands
What are the NHS pay bands for 2023/24?
2023/24 scales were the first year of the two-year deal. Band 5 entry was £28,407; Band 6 entry was £35,392. Full tables are available via NHS Employers.
When will the 2025/26 NHS pay rise be confirmed?
The 3.3% increase is published but awaits final union agreement, expected in early 2025.
What is the minimum wage impact on NHS band 1 pay in 2026?
Band 1 was effectively phased out in 2023/24. By 2026, the National Living Wage will likely equal or exceed band 2 entry rates, further compressing the bottom bands.
What is the difference between NHS pay bands in Scotland vs England?
Scotland has its own pay negotiation process. For 2025-26, Scotland’s band 2 entry is £24,647 vs England’s projected £24,465. Divergence may increase.
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