Use the WeFixPay NHS Pay Calculator hub to understand NHS take-home pay for 2026/27. Compare NHS Bands 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and see how Income Tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions, student loan deductions and additional earnings can affect the amount you actually receive. You can also open our detailed Band guides for a closer look at estimated take-home pay across the UK.
On this page
- NHS Pay Bands 2026/27
- How NHS Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
- NHS Pay Calculator – Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
- NHS Pay, Overtime and Unsocial Hours
- NHS Pension and Other Deductions
- NHS Pay Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Check Your NHS Payslip
- Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Pay
NHS Pay Bands 2026/27
- NHS Band 2 Take-Home Pay 2026/27 — estimated pay after tax, NI and pension
- NHS Band 3 Take-Home Pay 2026/27 — estimated pay after tax, NI and pension
- NHS Band 4 Take-Home Pay 2026/27 — estimated pay after tax, NI and pension
- NHS Band 5 Take-Home Pay 2026/27 — estimated pay after tax, NI and pension
- NHS Band 6 Take-Home Pay 2026/27 — estimated pay after tax, NI and pension
How NHS Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
Your NHS take-home pay is usually lower than your basic salary because deductions can include Income Tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions and student loan repayments. Your final pay can also change if you receive overtime, night-shift, weekend or public-holiday enhancements. The amount you receive may differ depending on your NHS pay band, position within the band, tax code, pension contribution rate and where in the UK you work.
NHS Pay Calculator – Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Use our NHS pay calculator to estimate your take-home pay by entering your annual NHS salary below. It can estimate Income Tax, National Insurance and overall take-home pay for the 2026/27 tax year. If you already have an NHS payslip, use our Payslip Checker to review the pay and deductions shown on it.
Note: This calculator estimates Income Tax, National Insurance and take-home pay using standard assumptions. NHS pension contributions can vary depending on your pensionable earnings and scheme, so your actual NHS payslip may differ.
NHS Pay, Overtime and Unsocial Hours
NHS staff may receive additional pay for nights, weekends, public holidays or overtime, depending on their role, pay band, working pattern and local arrangements. These additional earnings can increase gross pay, but they may also increase Income Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments. Unsocial-hours and overtime arrangements can vary across the UK, so your actual payslip may differ from a basic salary estimate.
NHS Pension and Other Deductions
Many NHS employees are members of an NHS pension scheme, so pension contributions can reduce take-home pay while building pension benefits. Contribution rates generally depend on pensionable earnings and can vary between NHS pension schemes. Your payslip may also include deductions such as student loan repayments, salary sacrifice, union subscriptions or other payroll deductions. Because individual circumstances differ, the take-home pay figures on WeFixPay should be treated as estimates and checked against your actual payslip.
NHS Pay Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
NHS Agenda for Change pay can vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland because each UK nation can set its own pay awards and salary scales. Take-home pay can also differ because Scotland uses separate Income Tax bands and rates, while National Insurance rules generally apply across the UK. This means two NHS workers in the same pay band may receive different take-home pay depending on where they work, their position within the band, pension contributions and other deductions.
For official NHS pay information, see the latest Agenda for Change pay guidance from NHS Employers.
Check Your NHS Payslip
If you already have an NHS payslip, use our free Payslip Checker to review the main pay and deductions shown on it. You can compare your basic pay, Income Tax, National Insurance, pension, student loan and other deductions with the amounts you expected. WeFixPay provides estimates for guidance, so unusual or disputed amounts should also be checked with your employer’s payroll team.
Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Pay
How is NHS take-home pay calculated?
NHS take-home pay starts with your gross salary and is reduced by deductions such as Income Tax, National Insurance, NHS pension contributions and, where applicable, student loan repayments. Overtime, unsocial-hours payments and other additions can increase your gross and take-home pay.
Is NHS pay the same across the UK?
Not always. NHS pay arrangements and pay awards can differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Take-home pay can also vary because Scotland uses different Income Tax bands and rates.
Does the NHS pension reduce take-home pay?
Yes. If you are a member of an NHS pension scheme, employee pension contributions are normally deducted from your pay. The amount can depend on your pensionable earnings and the pension scheme that applies to you.
Are nights, weekends and overtime included in NHS basic salary?
No. Basic salary does not normally include additional payments for qualifying nights, weekends, public holidays or overtime. These payments can increase your gross pay and may also affect tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan deductions.
How can I check whether my NHS payslip looks correct?
Compare your basic pay and deductions with what you expected from your contract, pay band and working hours. You can also use the WeFixPay Payslip Checker to review the main pay and deductions shown on your payslip.