What are the NHS pay scales for 2023?

The latest rates of NHS pay for staff on Agenda for Change contracts are shown below. You can also see our predicted 2024/25 pay scales here.

Band 1

Band 1 is no longer used as a point on the Agenda for Change contracts. Find out more about the history of Band 1 and the remaining NHS staff on this band.

Band 2

Staff in Band 2 (such as healthcare assistants, administrative assistants and catering staff) start on a salary of £21,074. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £22,384.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 3

Staff in Band 3 (such as healthcare assistants) start on a salary of £22,817. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £24,273.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 4

Staff in Band 4 (such as office co-ordinators or HR assistants) start on a salary of £25,146. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £27,596.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 5

Staff in Band 5 (such as newly qualified nurses) start on a salary of £28,408. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £30,639. Staff will receive a further pay rise after two more years, to £34,581.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 6

Staff in Band 6 (such as occupational therapists or some nurses) start on a salary of £35,391. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £37,351. Staff will receive a further pay rise after two more years, to £42,617.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 7

Staff in Band 7 (such as clinical pharmacists, communications managers, or service managers) start on a salary of £43,737. After two years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £45,996. Staff will receive a further pay rise after three more years, to £50,055.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 8a

Staff in Band 8a (such as HR business partners, advanced nurse practitioners, or senior physician associates) start on a salary of £50,952. After five years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £57,350.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Also note that there is no automatic advancement from band 8a to 8b. Find out more about pay progression here.

Band 8b

Staff in Band 8b (such as heads of departments, consultant pharmacists, or senior general managers) start on a salary of £59,972. After five years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £68,530.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Also note that there is no automatic advancement from band 8b to 8c. Find out more about pay progression here.

Band 8c

Staff in Band 8c (such as associate directors, consultant clinical scientists or nurse consultants) start on a salary of £67,064. After five years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £77,274.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Also note that there is no automatic advancement from band 8c to 8d. Find out more about pay progression here.

Band 8d

Staff in Band 8d (such as service directors, program leads, or deputy directors) start on a salary of £83,571. After five years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £96,376.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Band 9

Staff in Band 8d (such as clinical directors or program directors) start on a salary of £99,891. After five years, most staff will receive a pay increase to £114,948.

Note that staff working in London or the surrounding areas are eligble for an additional High Cost Area Supplement, increasing pay by at least £1,193.

Interested in what the NHS’s top earners make? Find out about VSM (Very Senior Manager) salaries here.