Welsh NHS Workers 2025/2026 pay rise announcement

May 22, 2025

In a recent announcement, it was confirmed that doctors and dentists working for the Welsh NHS will receive a 4% pay rise, while other NHS workers will see a 3.6% increase. Both pay hikes exceed the current inflation rate, which stands at 3.5%.

Details of the Pay Increases

The Welsh Government’s decision comes after recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) and the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) for the 2025-26 period. The increases will be backdated to April 1, 2025.

4% Increase: This will apply to:
- Consultants
- Specialty, specialist, and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists
- Resident doctors and dentists
- Salaried dentists, including those in community dental services and public dental service
- Contractor general medical practitioners
- Salaried GPs
3.6% Increase: This is for NHS staff such as:
- Nurses
- Cleaners
- Porters
- Healthcare support workers

These pay rises are in line with those offered to NHS staff in England.

Pay Increase Surpasses Inflation

The increases come in response to rising inflation, which hit 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March. The rate of inflation is the highest seen since January 2024. By offering pay increases above inflation, the Welsh Government aims to ease the financial pressures on NHS staff.

Primary Care Workers: Separate Considerations

The Welsh Government acknowledged that while primary care workers—including those in community pharmacies, NHS optometry, and general practice—were not covered by the pay review recommendations, there is a clear intention to implement a “fair and proportionate” pay increase across this sector as well.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles emphasized the importance of primary care, stating:
“Although falling outside the DDRB’s scope, we are committed to ensuring a fair pay uplift across primary care. This reflects the vital role primary care plays in delivering essential services to communities throughout Wales.”

Response from the BMA

Dr. Iona Collins, chair of the BMA’s Welsh Council, expressed dissatisfaction with the announced pay rises, arguing that NHS doctors in Wales remain undervalued and overworked.

“The 1% rise above inflation does not address the 19% pay erosion that doctors have faced over the last 16 years. This is not acceptable,” Dr. Collins said. “Doctors continue to experience the worst pay erosion in the public sector, and the underfunding of the GMS contract has put general practice in a fragile state.”

She also highlighted the pressures faced by NHS doctors, who are working under record-high waiting lists and enduring exhaustion and burnout. Dr. Collins added that pay restoration is urgently needed to help doctors feel appreciated for their dedication and hard work.

Next Steps

The BMA will review the DDRB report and consult further with its members. Dr. Collins mentioned that the organization has requested an urgent meeting with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the next steps and the future of pay for NHS Wales doctors.

Government’s Gratitude

Despite the criticisms, Jeremy Miles extended his appreciation to all NHS staff, acknowledging their “exceptional care and dedication.” He said, “Your commitment is truly valued, and this pay increase is a step towards recognizing your hard work.”

This restructuring offers clear sections that help readers navigate the information, along with key points highlighted for easier understanding.

NHS Wales Agenda of Change 2025/2026 pay bands

To calculate your NHS take home pay, please use our tool here.

Band 2

Healthcare assistants
Receptionists
Phlebotomists
Administrative staff
Domestic staff
Catering staff

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	24,465	23,615	25,694	24,833
2+	24,465	23,615	27,900	24,833

Band 3

Clinical support workers
Therapy assistants
Pharmacy assistants
Administrative workers
Clerical staff

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	24,937	24,071	28,011	25,313
2+	26,598	25,674	30,230	26,998

Band 4

Nursing associates
Associate practitioners
Pharmacy technicians
Bed managers
Senior clerical staff

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-3	27,485	26,530	30,353	27,897
3+	30,162	29,114	33,016	30,615

Band 5

Nurses
Newly qualified midwives
Paramedics
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Speech therapists

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	31,049	29,970	33,247	31,515
2-4	33,487	32,324	35,525	33,990
4+	37,796	36,483	41,424	38,362

Band 6

Junior sisters
Charge nurses
Midwives
Paramedics
Newly-qualified pharmacists
Biomedical scientists

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	38,682	37,338	41,608	39,262
2-5	40,823	39,405	43,441	41,436
5+	46,580	44,962	50,702	47,279

Band 7

Ward sisters
Charge nurses
Senior physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Pharmacists
Senior midwives

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	47,810	46,148	50,861	48,526
2-5	50,273	48,526	52,804	51,027
5+	54,710	52,809	59,159	55,531

Band 8a

Matrons
Advanced clinical practitioners
Service managers
Speciality leads

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	55,690	53,755	62,681	56,514
2-5	58,487	56,454	62,681	59,358
5+	62,682	60,504	67,665	63,623

Band 8b

Psychologists
Lead pharmacists
Lead clinicians

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	64,455	62,215	74,003	65,422
2-5	68,631	66,246	74,003	69,662
5+	74,896	72,293	79,164	76,020

Band 8c

Heads of clinical service
Senior HR managers
Tactical response leads
Service owners

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	76,965	74,290	87,400	78,119
2-5	81,652	78,814	87,400	82,876
5+	88,682	85,601	93,685	90,013

Band 8d

Deputy directors of clinical services
Deputy chief nurse
Consultant clinical scientists
Departmental heads

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	91,342	88,168	103,764	92,712
2-5	96,941	93,572	103,764	98,394
5+	105,337	101,677	108,206	106,917

Band 9

Nurse consultants
Director of clinical services
Chief nursing officers

Years	England	NI	Scotland	Wales
0-2	109,179	105,385	122,736	110,817
2-5	115,763	111,740	122,736	117,499
5+	125,637	127,521	128,051	121,271

NHS Wales

Every NHS Pension Scheme participant contributes a percentage of their pensionable pay to the scheme monthly, known as the contribution rate.

Your contribution is determined by your actual annual rate of pay. If you work part-time, your contribution rate may be lower, as it is calculated based on your annual earnings.

England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Salary Range	Contribution Rate
Up to 13,259	5.2%
13,260 to 27,288	6.5%
27,289 to 33,247	8.3%
33,248 to 49,913	9.8%
49,914 to 63,994	10.7%
63,995 and above	12.5%