NHS Band 2 · Agenda for Change 2025/26

NHS Band 2 Salary 2025/26

Healthcare Support Worker. Entry-level clinical support roles: healthcare assistant, porter, domestic and catering staff.

Min salary
£23,615
Mid-scale
£23,975
Max salary
£24,336
Pension (emp)
5.1%
← All Bands ↑ Band 3 — £25,149/yr

NHS Band 2 Take-Home Pay by City

City Gross (inc. HCAS) Net after pension After 1-bed rent RTI%
London £29,367 £1,930/mo −£120/mo 106%
Manchester £23,975 £1,630/mo £580/mo 64%
Birmingham £23,975 £1,630/mo £780/mo 52%
Edinburgh £23,975 £1,632/mo £532/mo 67%
Glasgow £23,975 £1,632/mo £732/mo 55%
Bristol £23,975 £1,630/mo £280/mo 83%
Leeds £23,975 £1,630/mo £730/mo 55%
Sheffield £23,975 £1,630/mo £805/mo 51%
Newcastle £23,975 £1,630/mo £880/mo 46%
Nottingham £23,975 £1,630/mo £780/mo 52%
Cardiff £23,975 £1,630/mo £730/mo 55%
Aberdeen £23,975 £1,632/mo £582/mo 64%
Liverpool £23,975 £1,630/mo £830/mo 49%
Leicester £23,975 £1,630/mo £830/mo 49%
Oxford £23,975 £1,630/mo £180/mo 89%
Cambridge £23,975 £1,630/mo £130/mo 92%
Reading £23,975 £1,630/mo £280/mo 83%
Brighton £23,975 £1,630/mo £230/mo 86%
York £23,975 £1,630/mo £680/mo 58%
Exeter £23,975 £1,630/mo £630/mo 61%

Net after pension = take-home after income tax, National Insurance, and 5.1% employee pension contribution. RTI% = rent-to-income ratio. London figure includes Inner HCAS of £5,392. Click any city for the full breakdown including council tax, transport, and monthly budget.

NHS Band 2 Pension

Contribution Rates
Employee rate 5.1%
NHS employer rate 23.7%
2015 CARE Scheme

NHS Band 2 staff are in the 2015 Career Average (CARE) defined-benefit scheme. Each year of service builds a guaranteed, inflation-linked pension — paid for life at retirement. The 23.7% NHS employer contribution is effectively additional salary you cannot withdraw early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHS Band 2 salary in 2025/26? +
The NHS Band 2 Agenda for Change salary for 2025/26 runs from £23,615 at the minimum to £24,336 at the top of the band, with a mid-scale of £23,975. Staff in Inner London also receive the High Cost Area Supplement of £5,392, making the London mid-scale gross £29,367.
How much does an NHS Band 2 take home after pension? +
At Band 2 mid-scale, the employee NHS pension contribution is 5.1%. In London, at gross £29,367, take-home after income tax, NI, and pension is approximately £1,930/month. Outside London (no HCAS), take-home will be lower — see the city table above.
What does an NHS Band 2 do? +
NHS Band 2 covers the Healthcare Support Worker grade. Entry-level clinical support roles: healthcare assistant, porter, domestic and catering staff. The AfC framework defines the band by the skills, responsibility, and knowledge required — not just the job title.
How does the NHS pension work for Band 2? +
NHS Band 2 staff are enrolled in the 2015 CARE (Career Average) scheme. The employee contribution is 5.1% of pensionable pay. The NHS employer adds 23.7%. Each year of service accrues a guaranteed, inflation-linked annual pension of 1/54th of that year's pensionable pay. This is a defined-benefit scheme — your pension is not subject to investment risk.