Every Agenda for Change band — from Band 2 healthcare assistant to Band 8b deputy director. Real take-home pay, pension costs, and what each salary buys in UK cities.
The Agenda for Change (AfC) framework sets pay for virtually all NHS staff in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Salaries are divided into bands 1–9 (band 1 was abolished in 2021; band 9 covers very senior directors). Each band has a pay range with spinal points; staff progress annually until they reach the top of their band.
NHS pension: Most NHS staff are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme (2015 CARE scheme). Employee contribution rates depend on pensionable pay — roughly 5.1–5.7% for bands 2–4, rising to 9.8% for bands 5–7. The NHS employer contributes a further 23.7% — one of the most generous employer pension contributions in any UK sector.
HCAS: Staff working in Inner London, Outer London, or designated fringe areas receive a High Cost Area Supplement on top of their AfC base salary. London figures on band detail pages include the Inner London supplement.
Salary figures are standard AfC rates for England (NHS Employers Pay Circular 2025/26). London includes Inner HCAS supplement. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may vary. Pension rates are employee contributions under the 2015 CARE scheme.