NHS Band 5 · Agenda for Change 2025/26

NHS Band 5 Salary 2025/26

Registered Nurse / Allied Health Professional. Newly qualified registered nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, radiographer.

Min salary
£29,969
Mid-scale
£31,049
Max salary
£36,483
Pension (emp)
9.8%
← All Bands ↓ Band 4 — £27,822/yr ↑ Band 6 — £40,701/yr

NHS Band 5 Take-Home Pay by City

City Gross (inc. HCAS) Net after pension After 1-bed rent RTI%
London £36,441 £2,182/mo £132/mo 94%
Manchester £31,049 £1,902/mo £852/mo 55%
Birmingham £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,052/mo 45%
Edinburgh £31,049 £1,900/mo £800/mo 58%
Glasgow £31,049 £1,900/mo £1,000/mo 47%
Bristol £31,049 £1,902/mo £552/mo 71%
Leeds £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,002/mo 47%
Sheffield £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,077/mo 43%
Newcastle £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,152/mo 39%
Nottingham £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,052/mo 45%
Cardiff £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,002/mo 47%
Aberdeen £31,049 £1,900/mo £850/mo 55%
Liverpool £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,102/mo 42%
Leicester £31,049 £1,902/mo £1,102/mo 42%
Oxford £31,049 £1,902/mo £452/mo 76%
Cambridge £31,049 £1,902/mo £402/mo 79%
Reading £31,049 £1,902/mo £552/mo 71%
Brighton £31,049 £1,902/mo £502/mo 74%
York £31,049 £1,902/mo £952/mo 50%
Exeter £31,049 £1,902/mo £902/mo 53%

Net after pension = take-home after income tax, National Insurance, and 9.8% 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 5 Pension

Contribution Rates
Employee rate 9.8%
NHS employer rate 23.7%
2015 CARE Scheme

NHS Band 5 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 5 salary in 2025/26? +
The NHS Band 5 Agenda for Change salary for 2025/26 runs from £29,969 at the minimum to £36,483 at the top of the band, with a mid-scale of £31,049. Staff in Inner London also receive the High Cost Area Supplement of £5,392, making the London mid-scale gross £36,441.
How much does an NHS Band 5 take home after pension? +
At Band 5 mid-scale, the employee NHS pension contribution is 9.8%. In London, at gross £36,441, take-home after income tax, NI, and pension is approximately £2,182/month. Outside London (no HCAS), take-home will be lower — see the city table above.
What does an NHS Band 5 do? +
NHS Band 5 covers the Registered Nurse / Allied Health Professional grade. Newly qualified registered nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, radiographer. 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 5? +
NHS Band 5 staff are enrolled in the 2015 CARE (Career Average) scheme. The employee contribution is 9.8% 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.