The NHS first introduced the payment banding system back in 2004, ensuring “equal pay of work for equal value,” and aimed to both standardise and modernise pay across the NHS.

To help you understand how the pay and banding system works, we have put together a guide that outlines the current NHS pay structure.

 

How banding works*:

Positions within the NHS have been assigned a band which indicates their basic salary. Majority of bands have a starting salary and a capped increasing salary that is based on experience. There are nine bands in total, with band 8 being sub divided into 4 separate bands (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

Band 1

As of 1st December 2018, band 1 is closed to new entrants and those in band 1 roles would be altered to be a band 2, resulting in a apay increase.

Roles included: domestic support workers, drivers, nursery assistants.

£22,383

Band 2

Roles included: healthcare assistant, domestic team leader, security.

£22,383

Band 3

Roles included: Emergency Care Assistant, Occupational Therapy Support Worker, Patient Access Coordinator.

Less than 2 years’ experience – £22,816

2+ years – £24,336

Band 4

Roles included: Patient Pathway Coordinator, Senior Healthcare Assistant, Assistant Practitioner. Less than 3 years’ experience -£25,147

3+ years – £27,596

Band 5

Roles included: Pediatric Nurse, Speech and Language Therapist, RMN

Less than 2 years’ experience – £28,407

2-4 years – £30,639

4+ years – £34,581

Band 6

Roles included: Midwife, Occupational Therapist, Theatre Team Leader.

Less than 2 years’ experience – £35,392

2-5 years – £37,350

5+ years – £42,618

Band 7

Roles included: Sonographer, Advanced Mental Health Practitioner.

Less than 2 years’ experience – £43,742

2-5 years – £45,996

5+ years – £50,056

Band 8A

Roles included: Clinical Manager, Clinical Psychologist, Advanced Specialist Pharmacist.

Less than 5 years’ experience – £50,952

5+ years – £57,349

Band 8B

Roles included: Highly Specialist Systemic Psychotherapist, Senior Theatre Practitioner.

Less than 5 years’ experience – £58,972

5+ years – £68,525

Band 8C

Roles included: Head of Radiotherapy, Head of Nursing, Head of Regulation.

Less than 5 years’ experience – £70,417

5+ years – £81,138

Band 8D

Roles included: Head of Operations, Head of Integrated Care, Divisional Lead Consultant Psychologist.

Less than 5 years’ experience – £83,571

5+ years – £96,376

Band 9

Roles included: Director of Learning Disabilities and Autism, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer.

Less than 5 years’ experience -£99,891

5+ years – £114,949

*Please note these pay bandings are based on current pay structures as of November 2023 and are the typical salaries for permanent members of NHS staff.

 

High-Cost Area Supplement

High-cost area supplement is given in addition to basic salary for staff who work in higher costing areas such as London.  This is a capped addition income.

Inner London

20% of basic salary up to an increase of £7,746.

Outer London

15% of basic salary up to an increase of £5,436

Fringe

5% of basic salary up to an increase of £2,011

 

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