NHS Band 5 is the core entry band for newly registered professionals (e.g., Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Radiographer), plus some specialist clinical and senior admin posts under Agenda for Change (AfC).
This page consolidates everything you need: basic (gross) pay, hourly rates, overtime rules, pension contribution tiers, London weighting (HCAS), and annual leave – all based on confirmed 2025/26 data.
What is NHS Band 5?
Typical roles include:
- Registered Nurse (newly qualified / preceptorship)
- Operating Department Practitioner
- Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist (entry level)
- Radiographer, Diagnostic/Therapeutic
- Senior Administrative roles at Band 5 level
Progression: Band 5 has three pay points (Entry → Mid → Top) with two years between each step (subject to local appraisal policies).
Gross Pay for Band 5 (England, 2025/26)
Official annual and hourly pay (effective 1 April 2025) from NHS Employers:
| Pay Step | Annual | Monthly (gross) | Weekly (gross) | Base Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £31,049 | £2,587.42 | £597.10 | £15.88 |
| Mid | £33,487 | £2,790.58 | £643.98 | £17.13 |
| Top | £37,796 | £3,149.67 | £726.85 | £19.33 |
Monthly = annual ÷ 12; weekly = annual ÷ 52 (derived from the official annual totals). Hourly rates are published directly by NHS Employers for each step.
About net pay: Take-home pay varies by tax code, NHS pension tier, student loan, salary sacrifice, and local allowances. To keep this page strictly accurate, we publish official gross and published hourly figures; net varies by individual circumstances.
Band 5 Hourly Rates & Overtime (AfC rules)
- Overtime (Bands 1–7): Time-and-a-half (1.5×) for hours over 37.5 per week.
- General public holidays: Double time (2×) (TOIL can be agreed locally).
These are set in the Agenda for Change Terms & Conditions.
Calculated overtime rates using the official Band 5 hourly pay (rounded to 2dp):
| Pay Step | Base Hourly | Overtime 1.5× | Public Holiday 2× |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £15.88 | £23.82 | £31.76 |
| Mid | £17.13 | £25.70 | £34.26 |
| Top | £19.33 | £28.99 | £38.66 |
(Base hourly from NHS Employers; multipliers per AfC TCS Section 3.)
London Weighting (HCAS) – Inner London inclusive pay (England, 2025/26)
NHS Employers publish Inner London HCAS inclusive totals (annual) and inclusive hourly rates.
| Band 5 (Inner London) | Annual (inclusive) | Hourly (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £37,259 | £19.05 |
| Mid | £40,185 | £20.55 |
| Top | £45,356 | £23.20 |
Outer London & Fringe: HCAS is applied per national rules/caps to produce inclusive totals. Check your Trust’s payroll or NHS Employers’ HCAS guidance for exact Outer/Fringe figures for your pay point.
NHS Pension – Member Contribution Tiers (England, from 1 April 2025)
Member contribution thresholds were uplifted for 2025/26 (backdated to 1 April 2025). Contribution rates remained the same.
| Pensionable pay range (annual) | Member rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,259 | 5.2% |
| £13,260 – £27,797 | 6.5% |
| £27,798 – £33,868 | 8.3% |
| £33,869 – £50,845 | 9.8% |
| £50,846 – £65,190 | 10.7% |
| £65,191+ | 12.5% |
Which tiers Band 5 hits (England 2025/26):
- Entry (£31,049) → 8.3% tier
- Mid (£33,487) → 8.3% tier
- Top (£37,796) → 9.8% tier
(Determined by the official thresholds above.)
Annual Leave & Bank Holidays (AfC)
For full-time AfC staff (pro-rata for part-time):
- 0–5 years: 27 days + 8 public holidays
- 5–10 years: 29 days + 8 public holidays
- 10+ years: 33 days + 8 public holidays
(Agenda for Change Terms & Conditions; apply locally via payroll/rostering.)
FAQs – NHS Band 5 (2025/26) – People Also Ask
Conclusion
Band 5 is the gateway to registered practice and professional progression. With official 2025/26 pay of £31,049–£37,796 (hourly £15.88–£19.33), time-and-a-half overtime, double-time on public holidays, uplifted pension thresholds, and generous AfC leave, it offers a strong foundation and a clear route to Bands 6 and 7. Use this page as your single, authoritative source: every figure and rule above is taken directly from NHS Employers/NHSBSA.