Agenda for change – pay rates

This guide provides NHS Terms and Conditions of Service (Agenda for Change) pay rates effective from April 2024.

This pay system applies to all staff except doctors, dentists, and very senior managers. Each of the nine pay bands includes multiple pay points. Staff usually move to the next pay band after a certain number of years until they reach the top of the band. In addition to basic pay, extra pay is provided for staff working in high-cost areas like London.

On June 3, 2024, Professor Nicola Ranger, acting general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), addressed the RCN Congress 2024, emphasizing the urgency of finalizing the 2024-25 NHS pay award. She warned that current timelines risk significant delays, which could undermine patient trust and leave nurses feeling undervalued. Prof. Ranger urged the winning party of the upcoming general election to prioritize pay discussions immediately to avoid further delays. The RCN’s manifesto for the UK general election highlights the need for a substantial pay rise for nursing staff and automatic progression within the NHS. The RCN promises to involve its members in decisions regarding the pay award and suggests that industrial action may be considered if the outcome is deemed unsatisfactory.

Band 2 – Nursing assistants, domestic support staff etc.

< 2 years’ experience – £22,383

2+ years – £22,383

Examples of roles at band 2 – domestic support worker, housekeeping assistant, driver, nursery assistant, domestic team leader, security officer, secretary/typist and healthcare assistant.

Band 3 – Trainee nurse associates, clinical support workers etc.

<2 years’ experience – £22,816

2+ years – £24,336

Examples of roles at band 3 – emergency care assistant, clinical coding officer, estates officer and occupational therapy worker.

Band 4 – Registered nursing associates, dental nurses etc

< 3 years’ experience £25,147

3+ years £27,596

Examples of roles at band 4 – assistant practitioner, audio visual technician, pharmacy technician, dental nurse and theatre support worker.

Band 5 – Staff nurse, newly qualified AHPs etc.

2 years experience £28,407

2-4 years £30,639

4+ years £34,581

Examples of roles at band 5 (includes many newly qualified clinical professionals) – operating department practitioner (ODP), podiatrist, learning disability nurse, therapeutic radiographer, practice manager and ICT test analyst

Band 6 – Senior staff nurses, specialist nurse etc.

<2 years’ experience – £35,392

2-5 years – £37,350

5+ years – £42,618

Examples of roles at band 6 – school nurse, experienced paramedic, health records manager, clinical psychology trainee and biomedical scientist.

Band 7 – Ward sister, junior matron, specialist AHP etc.

<2 years’ experience – £43,742

2-5 years – £45,996

5+ years – £50,056

Examples of roles at band 7 – communications manager, estates manager, high intensity therapist and advanced speech and language therapist.

Band 8a – Speciality matron, general manager etc

< 5 years’ experience – £50,952

5+ years – £57,349

Examples of roles at band 8a – consultant prosthetist/orthotist, dental laboratory manager, project and programme management, modern matron (nursing) and nurse consultant (mental health nursing).

Band 8b – Senior matron, service manager, lead nurse etc.

< 5 years’ experience – £58,972

5+ years £68,525

Examples of roles at band 8b – strategic management, head of education and training, clinical physiology service manager and head orthoptist.

Band 8c – Head of departments, consultant paramedic etc

<5 years’ experience – £70,417

5+ years – £81,138

Examples of roles at band 8c – head of human resources, consultant clinical scientist (molecular genetics/cytogenetics) and consultant paramedic.

Band 9 – Chief nurse, deputy chief nurse etc.

<5 years’ experience £99,891

5+ years £114,949

Examples of roles at band 9 include podiatric consultant (surgery), chief finance manager and director of estates and facilities.

Band 8d – Nurse consultant, consultant psychologist etc

<5 years’ experience £83,571

5+ years £96,376

Examples of roles at band 8d include consultant psychologist (8c-8d), estates manager, chief nurse and chief finance manager.

High-cost area supplement

In addition to basic pay, there is also a high-cost pay supplement for staff who work in London.

Area	Level (1 April 2023)
Inner London	20% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £5,132 and a maximum payment of £7,746
Outer London	15% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,314 and a maximum payment of £5,436
Fringe	5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,192 and a maximum payment of £2,011