NHS Band 8B sits in senior management and advanced specialist leadership under Agenda for Change (AfC) for example Deputy/Associate Directors, Senior Matrons, Programme/Service Managers, Advanced Consultant-level AHP leads.
This page brings together the official 2025/26 figures in one place: annual pay, hourly rates, London weighting (HCAS) inclusive totals, pension contribution tier(s), annual leave, and progression. Every number below is taken from NHS Employers / NHSBSA for 2025/26 (effective 1 April 2025).
What is NHS Band 8B?
Typical roles include Senior Matron, Divisional/Service Manager, Senior Operations Manager, Clinical Lead/Head of Profession, and other posts accountable for service delivery, budgets, and multi-disciplinary teams.
Progression: Band 8B has three pay points (Entry → Mid (after 2 years) → Top (after a further 3 years)), subject to local pay-progression policy.
Band 8B – Basic Pay (England, 2025/26)
Official annual and hourly pay from NHS Employers. (Monthly = annual ÷ 12; weekly = annual ÷ 52.)
| Pay Step | Annual | Monthly (gross) | Weekly (gross) | Base Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £64,455 | £5,371.25 | £1,239.52 | £32.96 |
| Mid | £68,631 | £5,719.25 | £1,320.79 | £35.10 |
| Top | £74,896 | £6,241.33 | £1,440.31 | £38.30 |
Accuracy note on “net pay”: take-home varies by tax code, NHS pension, student loan, salary sacrifice and local allowances. To keep this page strictly accurate, we publish official gross and published hourly amounts only.
Overtime vs Unsocial Hours at Band 8B
- Overtime eligibility: Under AfC Section 3, only Bands 1–7 receive overtime payments (1.5×; 2× on general public holidays). Bands 8–9 are not eligible for national overtime payments; excess hours are typically managed via TOIL (time off in lieu) or local arrangements.
- Unsocial hours (separate from overtime): AfC sets rules for enhancements where staff work qualifying hours; for Bands 8–9 the maximum enhancement is 10% of basic salary where criteria are met. Check local rostering policies.
London Weighting (HCAS) – Inclusive Pay (England, 2025/26)
NHS Employers publish inclusive totals (base + HCAS) and inclusive hourly rates. Figures below are official.
Inner London (HCAS inclusive)
| Pay Step | Annual (inclusive) | Hourly (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £72,921 | £37.29 |
| Mid | £77,097 | £39.43 |
| Top | £83,362 | £42.63 |
Outer London (HCAS inclusive)
| Pay Step | Annual (inclusive) | Hourly (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £70,396 | £36.00 |
| Mid | £74,572 | £38.14 |
| Top | £80,837 | £41.34 |
Fringe (HCAS inclusive)
| Pay Step | Annual (inclusive) | Hourly (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | £66,653 | £34.09 |
| Mid | £70,829 | £36.22 |
| Top | £77,094 | £39.43 |
HCAS payments are applied with national % and caps; NHS Employers publish the inclusive totals shown above.
NHS Pension – Member Contribution Tiers (England, 2025/26)
The member-contribution thresholds were uplifted from 1 April 2025 (backdated), while rates stayed 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 8B hits (England 2025/26):
- Entry (£64,455) → 10.7%
- Mid (£68,631) → 12.5%
- Top (£74,896) → 12.5%.
Annual Leave & Public 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
(National rules in Section 13; NHS Employers’ guidance confirms 8 public holidays in a 12-month period.)
FAQs – NHS Band 8B (2025/26) – People Also Ask
Conclusion
Band 8B marks substantial strategic and operational leadership. With official 2025/26 basic pay of £64,455–£74,896 (hourly £32.96–£38.30), HCAS-inclusive packages for London regions, uplifted pension thresholds, and generous AfC leave, it recognizes high-level responsibility and impact.
Treat this page as your single source of truth: every figure is taken directly from NHS Employers (pay/HCAS) and NHSBSA (pension).