NHS Salary Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay with full deductions breakdown for 2025/26

2015 Scheme (Career Average):
Normal pension age: State Pension Age | Accrual rate: 1/54th | Revalued by CPI + 1.5%

2008 Section (Final Salary):
Normal pension age: 65 | Accrual rate: 1/60th | Based on best 3 of last 10 years

1995 Section (Final Salary):
Normal pension age: 60 | Accrual rate: 1/80th | Auto lump sum: 3x pension

2025/26 Tiers - England & Wales:
Up to £13,247: 5.2% | £13,248-£27,797: 6.5% | £27,798-£33,863: 8.3% | £33,864-£50,843: 9.8% | £50,844-£65,189: 10.7% | £65,190+: 12.5%

2025/26 Tiers - Scotland (SPPA):
Up to £13,330: 5.7% | £13,331-£26,762: 6.4% | £26,763-£31,669: 7.0% | £31,670-£39,734: 8.7% | £39,735-£41,669: 9.8% | £41,670-£50,650: 10.5% | £50,651-£54,811: 11.2% | £54,812-£76,652: 11.6% | £76,653+: 12.7%

2025/26 Tiers - Northern Ireland (HSC):
Up to £13,259: 5.2% | £13,260-£27,288: 6.7% | £27,289-£33,247: 8.5% | £33,248-£49,913: 10.0% | £49,914-£63,994: 10.9% | £63,995+: 12.7%

Student Loan Repayments:
You can have multiple student loan plans active at once. Add each loan plan you're repaying.

Deducted from net pay (after tax and NI). Does not affect tax calculations.

Monthly Fee

Payment System

Section 2 Enhancement Rates (2025/26):
Higher Rates: Weekday Evenings & Saturdays: Band 2: +41% | Band 3: +35% | Band 4-9: +30%
Sundays & Public Holidays: Band 2: +83% | Band 3: +69% | Band 4-9: +60%
Enter unsocial hours for each shift type individually.

Annex 2 - Emergency & Urgent Care

On-Call (Annex 29): Availability payments as percentage of basic pay. Rates: 1 in 3: 9.5% | 1 in 6: 4.5% | 1 in 9: 3% | 1 in 12: 2%

Availability Type

Frequency

Work Done On-Call (Call-outs)

Pro-rata your salary across two bands based on your change date.

Previous Pay Band

Band 2 Band 9

Band 4

£27,485 - £30,162

Previous Band Pay Step

Band Change Date The date you moved to your new band

Reduces gross salary before NI and pension. If your Trust payrolls benefits in kind (most do), PAYE tax is calculated on your notional pay before the sacrifice.

Trust payrolls benefits in kind

Payrolled BIK (default): Tax is calculated on your notional pay (before sacrifice). NI and pension use the reduced pay. This matches most NHS payslips.

Cycle to Work (Monthly)

AVCs via Salary Sacrifice (Monthly)

Childcare Vouchers (Monthly, max £243) Closed to new entrants since Oct 2018, existing participants can continue.

Buy Back Annual Leave (Monthly) Salary sacrifice to purchase additional leave days. Limit set locally by your Trust.

Deducted from gross before tax & NI. You can also claim business mileage at your agreed rate.

Monthly Lease Car Deduction

Miles/Month

Rate (p/mile)

Calculated from your base hourly rate. Generally not pensionable unless confirmed by employer.

Overtime at a different band rate

Plain Time (1x) Hours/Month

Time and a Half (1.5x) Hours/Month

Double Time (2x) Hours/Month

Overtime is pensionable

TOIL Conversion

Expense reimbursements are tax-free and added to your net take-home pay.

Business Mileage (Miles/Month) HMRC rates: 45p/mile (first 10,000), 25p/mile (over 10,000)

Parking & Tolls (Monthly)

Public Transport (Monthly)

Other Expenses (Monthly)

Effective Tax Rate: 0%

Current Calculation

Comparison

Country

Pay Band

Pay Point

Weekly Hours

Pension

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I move to the next pay point?

Under Agenda for Change, you normally progress to the next pay point after completing the required time at your current point, subject to meeting your annual appraisal requirements. Most bands have 2-3 pay points. Progression from entry to the top of band usually takes 4-5 years.

How is my NHS pension calculated?

The 2015 Scheme is a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme. You build up 1/54th of your pensionable pay each year, revalued annually by CPI + 1.5%. Your contribution rate depends on your pensionable pay tier. England/Wales, Scotland (SPPA), and Northern Ireland (HSC) each have slightly different tier boundaries and rates.

What is HCAS (High Cost Area Supplement)?

HCAS is an additional payment for NHS staff working in the London area. It is calculated as a percentage of your basic salary, with minimum and maximum caps. Inner London receives 20%, Outer London 15%, and the Fringe zone 5%. Only applies to England & Wales.

How are unsocial hours calculated?

Unsocial hours payments under Section 2 are calculated as a percentage enhancement on your base hourly rate for hours worked at specific times. The enhancement applies only to the hours worked, not your whole salary. Rates vary by band. Annex E offers a flat percentage supplement instead, mainly for ambulance staff.

What tax rates apply in Scotland?

Scotland has its own income tax rates with 6 bands: Starter (19%), Basic (20%), Intermediate (21%), Higher (42%), Advanced (45%), and Top (48%). The thresholds differ from England/Wales/NI. National Insurance rates remain the same UK-wide.

Is this calculator official?

No. This is an independent estimation tool and is not affiliated with the NHS, NHS Employers, or any government body. While we strive for accuracy using official pay scales and tax rates, always verify with your payroll department.

What is Annex E?

Annex E provides an alternative way of paying for unsocial hours, primarily used in ambulance services. A prospective percentage supplement (up to 25%) is added to your basic salary based on your typical working pattern.

NHS Salary Calculator

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Pay Band Progression