Your NHS salary after tax depends on several factors — including your pay band, region, and pension tier.
This guide shows estimated take-home pay for each NHS band in 2026, using the latest tax rules.
This guide shows estimated take-home pay for each NHS band in 2026, using the latest tax rules.
To review the real-world value of your earnings, compare general purchasing power with the Salary Inflation Calculator UK or measure an NHS increase using the NHS Pay Rise Inflation Calculator.
UK Tax & NI Rates (2026/27)
| Income Range (£) | Tax Rate | NI Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 | 0% | 0% |
| £12,571–£50,270 | 20% | 8% |
| £50,271–£125,140 | 40% | 2% |
NHS Take-Home Pay by Band (2026)
| Band | Gross (£) | Estimated Net (£) | Monthly (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | 22,383 | 18,800 | 1,566 |
| Band 3 | 25,147 | 20,500 | 1,708 |
| Band 4 | 28,407 | 22,600 | 1,883 |
| Band 5 | 30,639 | 24,400 | 2,033 |
| Band 6 | 35,392 | 26,500 | 2,208 |
| Band 7 | 43,742 | 31,400 | 2,616 |
| Band 8a | 50,952 | 35,500 | 2,958 |
| Band 9 | 114,949 | 72,000 | 6,000 |
Regional Adjustments (London Weighting)
| Region | Extra Pay (£) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inner London | +£5,200–£7,400 | £43,000 → £49,000 |
| Outer London | +£3,800–£5,000 | £43,000 → £47,000 |
| Fringe | +£1,200–£2,000 | £43,000 → £45,000 |
Example: Band 6 Nurse After Tax (2026)
| Description | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Gross Salary | 35,392 |
| Pension (9.8%) | −£3,468.42 |
| Tax | −£3,870.72 |
| NI | −2,200 |
| Net (Take-Home) | ~£26,227.10/year (£2,185.59/month) |
If sickness absence reduces your usual earnings, review the available NHS Sick Pay Benefits. You can also use the Statutory Sick Pay Calculator to estimate statutory support where applicable.
Understand Your Pay Before Calculating It
Before working out your own figures, the NHS Salary Breakdown explains how gross salary is reduced by Income Tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.
Once you understand those deductions, you can estimate your own take-home pay using details such as your pay band, working hours and location.
The estimate can help you review:
Part-time working adjustments
Take-home pay
Pension contributions
Regional supplements
For further planning, learn How to Calculate NHS Salary, while employers and workforce planners can estimate additional staffing expenses with the NHS On-Costs Calculator.
FAQs
Q1: Why is my NHS take-home pay lower than my gross salary?
Your gross salary is the amount earned before deductions. Take-home pay is what remains after deductions such as Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pension contributions. Student loan repayments or other payroll adjustments may reduce it further.
Q2: Can two NHS employees with the same salary receive different take-home pay?
Yes. Employees with the same gross salary can receive different net pay because of their tax codes, pension choices, student loans, working patterns, previous earnings or other payroll deductions.
Q3: Does an NHS pension contribution affect salary after tax?
Yes. NHS pension contributions reduce the amount received in your payslip and normally receive tax relief through payroll. However, the exact effect depends on your contribution tier, taxable income and individual payroll circumstances.
Q4: Where can I check the official National Insurance rates used for salary calculations?
You can check the latest employee thresholds and contribution rates through the official GOV.UK National Insurance guidance. Always confirm that you are viewing the correct tax year before comparing the figures with your payslip.