Understanding Nurse Salary in the UK

If you are a nurse or considering a nursing career, knowing the nurse salary landscape is essential. In the UK, most NHS nurses are paid under the Agenda for Change pay system, which groups roles into bands. This article explains the latest 2026/27 pay scales, how to convert hourly rates to annual salary, and what part-time or London-weighted pay looks like.

NHS Pay Bands for Nurses (2026/27)

NHS Employers published the 2026/27 pay scales effective from 1 April 2026. Qualified nurses typically start at Band 5 and can progress to Band 9 at the most senior levels. The table below shows key points:

Band	Role examples	Annual salary range	Hourly rate range (37.5 hrs/wk)
5	Newly qualified registered nurse	£38,488 – £46,852	£19.68 – £23.96
6	Specialist nurse, deputy ward manager	£47,951 – £56,863	£24.52 – £29.08
7	Ward sister, charge nurse	£58,133 – £65,261	£29.73 – £33.38
8a–8d	Senior nurse manager, consultant nurse	£66,274 – £117,560	£33.89 – £60.12
9	Director of nursing	£121,528 – £138,529	£62.15 – £70.85

These figures are basic pay without High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS). Nurses in London and surrounding areas receive an additional 20% of basic salary (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746).

Hourly to Annual Salary Conversion

To convert an hourly rate to annual salary for a full-time NHS nurse, use the standard 37.5-hour week multiplied by 52 weeks. For example:

• £19.68/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £38,484 (close to the Band 5 entry point).
• £24.52/hr × 37.5 × 52 = £47,814 (Band 6 entry).

Part-time nurses should multiply their actual contracted hours per week by 52. Remember that annual salary is the basic pay; shift premiums, overtime, and HCAS are additional.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Nurse Salary

Many nurses work part-time. The annual salary figures in the pay bands assume full-time (37.5 hours). A part-time nurse on a 30-hour week would earn 30/37.5 = 80% of the full-time rate. For example, a Band 5 nurse at the entry point working 30 hours would earn £38,488 × 0.8 = £30,790.40 per year. The hourly rate remains the same regardless of hours, so part-time nurses can use the hourly rate to calculate their expected pay.

Average Nurse Earnings

According to NHS Digital’s Staff Earnings Estimates for the year to June 2026, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent across all NHS staff (including nurses) was £44,457. Mean annual earnings per person (including part-time and non-basic pay) were £45,163. Non-basic pay averaged £5,615 per person, covering shift work, overtime, and HCAS. These figures show that many nurses earn above the basic band rates due to additional payments.

London Weighting and High Cost Area Supplements

Nurses working in inner London receive the highest HCAS: 20% of basic salary, capped at £8,746. Outer London and fringe areas have lower supplements. For example, a Band 5 nurse at the top of the band (£46,852) in inner London would receive an extra £8,746 (the cap), bringing total basic pay to £55,598. This is separate from any shift enhancements.

Using Our Tools

To calculate your own nurse salary conversion, try our Hourly to Salary tool. For more detailed data on UK pay benchmarks, visit our salary data page.

Key Takeaways

• The nurse salary in the NHS for 2026/27 ranges from £38,488 for a newly qualified nurse to over £138,000 for a director of nursing.
• Hourly rates start at £19.68 for Band 5 and go up to £70.85 for Band 9.
• Always consider HCAS and shift pay when estimating total earnings.
• Part-time nurses earn pro-rata based on contracted hours.
• Official sources like NHS Employers and NHS Digital provide the most reliable figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert an hourly nurse wage to an annual salary?

For NHS nurses working full-time, the standard contracted week is 37.5 hours. To convert an hourly rate to annual salary, multiply by 37.5 hours per week and then by 52 weeks. For example, £20 per hour × 37.5 × 52 = £39,000 per year. Part-time nurses should use their actual contracted hours. Remember that annual salary may also include High Cost Area Supplements and shift enhancements, which are not captured by the basic hourly rate.

What is the starting salary for a newly qualified nurse in 2026/27?

A newly qualified registered nurse in England starts at Band 5, entry point, which for 2026/27 is £38,488 per year. This equates to an hourly rate of £19.68 based on a 37.5-hour week. After two years of experience, nurses progress to the mid-point (£41,511, £21.23/hr), and after a further two years to the top of Band 5 (£46,852, £23.96/hr). These figures are from NHS Employers pay scales effective from 1 April 2026.

Does nurse salary include London weighting or other allowances?

Yes. NHS staff working in and around London receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). For 2026/27, the supplement is 20% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £5,794 and a maximum of £8,746. Outer London and fringe areas have lower rates. Additionally, nurses may earn extra for shift work, on-call duties, and overtime. These allowances are separate from the basic hourly rate and can significantly increase total earnings.