NHS Pay Scales 2025/26 – Confirmed 3.6% Pay Rise (Updated May 2025) – England
May 22, 2025
For Wales, please click here for the updated pay bands
For Scotland, please click here for the updated pay bands
Key Announcements
Pay Rise Details
- Confirmed increase: 3.6% across all Agenda for Change bands
- Implementation: Expected to begin in July/August 2025 payroll
- Backdating: Will be applied retroactively from April 2025
- Coverage: Applies to all NHS staff under Agenda for Change contracts
Factors Influencing the Pay Decision
The Government’s 3.6% decision was based on three primary considerations:
Government Recommendations
- Department of Health and Social Care initially recommended 2.8% in December 2024
- Final decision made by independent NHS Pay Review Body
- Minimum award expectation was set at 2.8%
Budget Allocations
- NHS budget for 2025/26 includes provisions for 3-4% staffing cost increases
- Some variation accounts for different staff groups outside Agenda for Change
- National Minimum Wage changes also factored into Band 2 adjustments
Economic Environment
- Consumer Price Index stood at 2.6% for December 2024
- Below-inflation increases would likely trigger industrial action
- Higher increases (above 5%) deemed unrealistic due to economic constraints
- UK economic growth limitations influenced final decision
Union Relations and Strike Prevention
- Previous Conservative government faced significant NHS strikes
- Prime Minister’s target: 92% of routine operations within 18 weeks by March 2029
- Union response to 2.8% recommendation was notably negative
- Strikes would jeopardize operation backlog reduction goals
Implementation Timeline
Announcement Date: May 22, 2025
Effective Date: April 1, 2025 (retroactive)
Expected Payroll Start: July/August 2025
Recent years have seen consistent delays in pay rise announcements, necessitating backdated payments. This year’s May announcement follows the established pattern of late confirmation.
Band 2 and 3 Special Adjustments
National Living Wage Alignment (January 2025 announcement)
- Separate from main pay negotiations
- Guaranteed implementation regardless of main pay deal progress
Temporary Increases Applied:
- Band 2: 2.35% increase to £24,169 minimum salary
- Band 3 (under 2 years): 2.3% increase to £24,625 minimum salary
- Additional benefit: Staff receive further uplift from main 3.6% pay rise
To calculate your NHS take home pay, please use our tool here.
Detailed Pay Scale Projections
Band 1
- Status: No longer used for new contracts
- Current staff: Paid equivalent to Band 2 rates
- Historical context: Phased out but some legacy contracts remain
Band 2
Staff roles: Healthcare assistants, administrative assistants, catering staff
Pay progression: No incremental steps within band
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0+ | £23,614 | £24,465 | £30,074 | £29,179 | £25,768 |
Band 3
Staff roles: Healthcare assistants (various specialties)
Progression: Two-year increment to higher rate
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £24,072 | £24,937 | £30,546 | £29,651 | £26,240 |
| 2+ | £25,674 | £26,598 | £32,207 | £31,312 | £27,928 |
Band 4
Staff roles: Office coordinators, communications assistants
Progression: Three-year increment period
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | £26,529 | £27,485 | £33,094 | £32,199 | £28,860 |
| 3+ | £29,114 | £30,162 | £36,195 | £34,876 | £31,671 |
Band 5
Staff roles: Newly qualified nurses, allied health professionals
Progression: Two incremental steps (2 years, then 4+ years)
Note: 4+ years represents average NHS nurse salary
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £29,970 | £31,049 | £37,259 | £35,763 | £32,602 |
| 2-4 | £32,324 | £33,487 | £40,185 | £38,511 | £35,162 |
| 4+ | £36,483 | £37,796 | £45,356 | £43,466 | £39,686 |
Band 6
Staff roles: Occupational therapists, senior/specialist nurses
Progression: Two incremental steps (2 years, then 5+ years)
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £37,339 | £38,682 | £46,419 | £44,485 | £40,617 |
| 2-5 | £39,404 | £40,823 | £48,988 | £46,764 | £42,865 |
| 5+ | £44,961 | £46,580 | £55,046 | £52,521 | £48,778 |
Band 7
Staff roles: Clinical pharmacists, communications managers, service managers
Progression: Two incremental steps (2 years, then 5+ years)
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £46,148 | £47,810 | £56,276 | £53,751 | £50,008 |
| 2-5 | £48,526 | £50,273 | £58,739 | £56,214 | £52,471 |
| 5+ | £52,808 | £54,710 | £63,176 | £60,651 | £56,908 |
Band 8a
Staff roles: HR business partners, advanced nurse practitioners, senior physician associates
Progression: Includes new intermediate step after 2 years (added in previous pay deal)
Note: No automatic progression to Band 8b
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £53,754 | £55,690 | £64,156 | £61,631 | £57,888 |
| 2-5 | £56,454 | £58,487 | £66,953 | £64,428 | £60,685 |
| 5+ | £60,504 | £62,682 | £71,148 | £68,623 | £64,880 |
Future Changes: Expected modifications to Band 8a contracts to improve attractiveness for Band 7 promotions, particularly regarding unsocial hours payments. However, these changes are unlikely for 2025/26.
Band 8b
Staff roles: Heads of department, consultant pharmacists, senior general managers
Progression: Includes new intermediate step after 2 years
Note: No automatic progression to Band 8c
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £62,215 | £64,455 | £72,921 | £70,396 | £66,653 |
| 2-5 | £66,247 | £68,631 | £77,097 | £74,572 | £70,829 |
| 5+ | £72,299 | £74,896 | £83,362 | £80,837 | £77,094 |
Band 8c
Staff roles: Associate directors, consultant clinical scientists, nurse consultants
Progression: Includes new intermediate step after 2 years
Note: No automatic progression to Band 8d
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Fringe pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £74,290 | £76,965 | £85,431 | £82,906 | £79,163 |
| 2-5 | £78,814 | £81,652 | £90,118 | £87,593 | £83,850 |
| 5+ | £85,601 | £88,682 | £97,148 | £94,623 | £90,880 |
Band 8d
Staff roles: Service directors, programme leads, deputy directors
Progression: Includes new intermediate step after 2 years
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £88,167 | £91,342 | £99,808 | £97,283 | £93,540 |
| 2-5 | £93,571 | £96,941 | £105,407 | £102,882 | £99,139 |
| 5+ | £101,677 | £105,337 | £113,803 | £111,278 | £107,535 |
Band 9
Staff roles: Clinical directors, programme directors
Progression: Includes new intermediate step after 2 years
| Years of experience | National pay 2024/25 | National pay 2025/26 | Inner London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 | Outer London pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | £105,480 | £109,179 | £117,645 | £115,120 | £111,377 |
| 2-5 | £111,739 | £115,763 | £124,229 | £121,704 | £117,961 |
| 5+ | £121,270 | £125,637 | £134,103 | £131,578 | £127,835 |
Very Senior Managers: Staff above Band 9 are on separate pay scales negotiated independently from Agenda for Change. Expected increase approximately 3% for 2025/26.
High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) Changes
Current Status
- Major changes: Unlikely for 2025/26
- Future developments: More significant modifications possible in coming years
- Geographic scope: Continues to apply only to London areas
- Increase rate: Same 3.6% uplift as general salaries
HCAS Rate Table 2025/26
| HCAS area | Rate of HCAS supplement | Minimum Payment 2024/25 | Minimum Payment 2025/26 | Maximum Payment 2024/25 | Maximum Payment 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | 20% | £5,415 | £5,610 | £8,171 | £8,465 |
| Outer London | 15% | £4,552 | £4,716 | £5,735 | £5,941 |
| Fringes | 5% | £1,258 | £1,303 | £2,121 | £2,197 |
Union Calls for Reform
- Trade unions advocate for expanded HCAS coverage
- High-cost areas outside London currently receive no additional support
- Review of 20-year-old HCAS structure being requested
Important Notes
Confirmation Status: All figures confirmed as of May 22, 2025
HCAS Details: Specific High Cost Area Supplement rates still being finalized
Implementation: Updated pay expected to appear in July/August 2025 payroll
Backdating: All increases will be applied retroactively to April 1, 2025
This information is current as of the Government announcement on May 22, 2025. Some details may be subject to final confirmation as implementation proceeds.