Update (14 August 2026): This article covers the 2024/25 deal, which has since been superseded. See NHS Pay Rates for 2026/27 for the current rates. Note that Scotland NHS pay deals are announced separately by the Scottish Government.
In Scotland, nearly 170,000 nurses and healthcare workers will receive a 5.5% salary increase, making their pay package the best in the UK. This improvement, supported by unions representing NHS Agenda for Change staff, involves an investment of over £448 million and will be backdated to April 1, 2024, effective next month. Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed gratitude to healthcare staff for their vital contributions to the NHS and emphasized the commitment to supporting and valuing them. To see what the 5.5% increase means for your take-home pay, use our NHS pay calculator.
NHS Pension
Participants in the NHS Pension Scheme contribute a percentage of their pensionable pay each month, referred to as the contribution rate.
This contribution is based on your actual annual salary. If you work part-time, your contribution rate may be lower, as it is calculated according to your annual earnings.
Scotland
| Salary Range |
Contribution Rate |
| Up to £13,330 |
5.7% |
| £13,331 to £26,762 |
6.4% |
| £26,763 to £31,669 |
7% |
| £31, 670 to £39,734 |
8.7% |
| £39,735 to £41,669 |
9.8% |
| £41,670 to £50,650 |
10.5% |
| £50,651 to £54,811 |
11.2% |
| £54,812 to £76,652 |
11.6% |
| £76,653 and above |
12.7% |
2024 Pay Rise Bands Comparison
Band 2
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-2 | £23,362 | £24,647 | £1,285 | £12.78 |
| 2+ | £25,368 | £26,763 | £1,395 | £13.87 |
Band 3
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-2 | £25,468 | £26,869 | £1,401 | £13.93 |
| 2+ | £27,486 | £28,998 | £1,512 | £15.03 |
Band 4
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-3 | £27,598 | £29,116 | £1,518 | £15.09 |
| 3+ | £30,019 | £31,670 | £1,651 | £16.42 |
Band 5
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-2 | £30,229 | £31,892 | £1,663 | £16.53 |
| 2-4 | £32,300 | £34,077 | £1,777 | £17.66 |
| 4+ | £37,664 | £39,735 | £2,072 | £20.60 |
Band 6
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-2 | £37,831 | £39,912 | £2,081 | £20.69 |
| 2-5 | £39,498 | £41,670 | £2,172 | £21.60 |
| 5+ | £46,100 | £48,635 | £2,535 | £25.21 |
Band 7
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-2 | £46,244 | £48,788 | £2,543 | £25.29 |
| 2-5 | £48,010 | £50,651 | £2,641 | £26.25 |
| 5+ | £53,789 | £56,747 | £2,958 | £29.41 |
Band 8a
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-5 | £56,992 | £60,126 | £3,135 | £31.16 |
| 5+ | £61,522 | £64,906 | £3,384 | £33.64 |
Band 8b
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-5 | £67,285 | £70,986 | £3,701 | £36.79 |
| 5+ | £71,978 | £75,937 | £3,959 | £39.36 |
Band 8c
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-5 | £79,466 | £83,837 | £4,371 | £43.45 |
| 5+ | £85,181 | £89,866 | £4,685 | £46.58 |
Band 8d
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-5 | £94,345 | £99,534 | £5,189 | £51.59 |
| 5+ | £98,384 | £103,795 | £5,411 | £53.80 |
Band 9
| Years | 2023 | 2024 | Increase of | 2024 Hourly Rate |
| 0-5 | £111,595 | £117,732 | £6,138 | £61.02 |
| 5+ | £116,428 | £122,831 | £6,404 | £63.67 |
