NHS Band 6 Pay 2026/27: Salary, Hourly Rates and Take-Home Pay
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Figures verified against the NHS Employers 2026/27 pay circular.
NHS Band 6 salary 2026/27
The 2026/27 Agenda for Change award added 3.3% to every pay point in England. It was announced on 12 February 2026, backdated to 1 April 2026 and paid on time in April salaries — the first on-time award in six years (NHS Employers). England uses three pay steps per band (entry, intermediate, top), with spine points abolished under the 2018 AfC deal. See Agenda for Change explained for how the whole system fits together.
| Pay step | Annual salary (FTE) | Hourly rate | Monthly (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £39,959 | £20.41 | £3,330 |
| Intermediate | £42,170 | £21.54 | £3,514 |
| Top of band | £48,117 | £24.58 | £4,010 |
Hourly rates are calculated as annual salary ÷ 52.2 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours, the standard NHS full-time formula. For comparison, 2025/26 Band 6 ran from £38,682 to £46,580. All figures are for a full-time 37.5-hour contract; part-time staff are paid pro rata (Health Careers NHS). The full NHS pay bands 2026/27 overview covers every band. For the neighbouring scales, see NHS Band 5 pay and NHS Band 7 pay.
What jobs are Band 6 in the NHS?
Band 6 is the experienced-specialist band — the step where clinicians take on real autonomy, supervise juniors and often carry a specialist caseload. Well-established Band 6 roles include junior sister / junior charge nurse, specialist paramedic, senior physiotherapist, senior occupational therapist, senior radiographer, senior biomedical scientist, health visitor and practice development nurse.
Posts at this level typically require significant post-registration experience, and many ask for (or support you towards) specialist postgraduate qualifications, mentorship training or non-medical prescribing.
Band 6 take-home pay and pension
Gross salary is only the starting point. From it come income tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions and, for many, student loan repayments. The whole of Band 6 sits inside a single NHS pension tier: 9.8% of pensionable pay (official 2025/26 thresholds of £33,869–£50,845; 2026/27 thresholds are provisional and expected to move slightly). Check our guide to NHS pension contribution tiers to see how the tiers are set.
As a guide, at the top of Band 6 (£48,117) the employee pension contribution is around £4,715 a year — roughly £393 a month before tax relief — while the employer contributes 23.7% on top. One thing to watch: the top of Band 6 sits just below the £50,270 higher-rate income tax threshold, so staff near the top who do a lot of overtime can tip into 40% tax. Pension contributions made by salary sacrifice can help manage this.
Overtime and unsocial hours at Band 6
Band 6 staff qualify for paid overtime: any hours worked above 37.5 per week are paid at time-and-a-half, rising to double time on bank and public holidays. Part-time staff are paid plain time for additional hours up to 37.5 hours, with overtime rates applying above that.
Unsocial hours enhancements (Section 2 of the AfC handbook) also apply at Band 6: time plus 30% for weekday nights (8pm–6am) and Saturdays, and time plus 60% for Sundays and public holidays. Staff can choose time off in lieu instead of overtime pay, and overtime and unsocial hours enhancements cannot be claimed for the same hours. For the full rates tables, see NHS unsocial hours pay.
Band 6 pay in London: HCAS
Staff in and around London receive a High Cost Area Supplement on top of basic pay. For 2026/27: inner London 20% (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746), outer London 15% (£4,870–£6,137) and fringe 5% (£1,346–£2,270). HCAS is pensionable.
Example: a Band 6 nurse at the entry step (£39,959) in inner London receives 20% HCAS — £7,992 — taking total pay to £47,951. In outer London the same post pays £45,953, and in the fringe zone £41,957. Read our full guide to NHS London weighting for the zone boundaries and caps.
How to progress from Band 6 to Band 7
Within Band 6 you move up the pay steps each year, subject to the annual appraisal process. Reaching Band 7 means successfully applying for a Band 7 post — the band does not promote you automatically. Typical routes include ward manager and team leader roles (build leadership, rostering and budget experience), advanced practice (usually a master's-level qualification plus prescribing), and education or quality-improvement posts. Documenting audit, teaching and service-improvement work in your portfolio strengthens Band 7 applications.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Band 6 earn in the NHS?
In 2026/27, NHS Band 6 pay in England is £39,959 at entry, £42,170 at the intermediate step and £48,117 at the top of the band, for a full-time 37.5-hour contract.
What is the hourly rate for NHS Band 6?
Band 6 hourly rates for 2026/27 are £20.41 at entry, £21.54 at the intermediate step and £24.58 at the top of the band, calculated as annual salary ÷ 52.2 ÷ 37.5.
What jobs are Band 6 in the NHS?
Common Band 6 roles include junior sister / junior charge nurse, specialist paramedic, senior physiotherapist, senior occupational therapist, senior radiographer, senior biomedical scientist and health visitor.
Do Band 6 staff get paid overtime?
Yes. Bands 1–7 receive time-and-a-half for hours worked above 37.5 per week, and double time for overtime on bank and public holidays. Time off in lieu can be taken instead.
How much is Band 6 take-home pay?
Take-home pay depends on tax, National Insurance, pension (9.8% at Band 6) and student loans. At the top of the band (£48,117), pension contributions alone are around £393 a month before tax relief.
What is Band 6 pay in London?
With inner London HCAS (20%), Band 6 entry pay of £39,959 becomes £47,951 in total. Outer London adds 15% and the fringe zone 5%, each within set minimum and maximum values.
How do I go from Band 6 to Band 7?
Apply for Band 7 posts such as ward manager, advanced practitioner or service lead. Most require demonstrated leadership experience, and advanced practice roles usually need master's-level study.
Pay progression
On Band 5 pay now and looking at Band 6? Once you're here, the next rung up is Band 7 pay — the first leadership band for most professions.
Sources
Source: NHS Employers — NHS PRB pay award announcement 2026.
Source: Health Careers NHS — Agenda for Change pay rates.
This is an independent guide to NHS pay. We are not affiliated with the NHS, NHS Employers or the Department of Health and Social Care. Figures are checked against the official NHS Employers pay circulars; always confirm with your employer's payroll.