Understanding NHS Band 5 Salary
NHS Band 5 salary represents the starting point for registered professionals within the NHS, including newly qualified nurses, midwives, paramedics, and allied health professionals. The Band 5 NHS pay scale recognizes the degree-level qualifications, professional registration, and clinical autonomy required for these vital healthcare roles, providing competitive compensation and excellent career progression opportunities within the Agenda for Change framework.
NHS Band 5 Pay Scale 2025/26
Current Band 5 NHS pay rates across all UK regions
| Years | Type | England | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | per year | £31,049 | £31,516 | £33,247 | £29,970 |
| 0–2 | per hour | £15.89 | £16.15 | £17.23 | £15.36 |
| 2–5 | per year | £33,487 | £33,991 | £35,525 | £32,324 |
| 2–5 | per hour | £17.13 | £17.43 | £18.41 | £16.53 |
| 5+ | per year | £37,796 | £38,364 | £41,424 | £36,483 |
| 5+ | per hour | £19.35 | £19.64 | £21.42 | £18.67 |
* These NHS Band 5 salary rates are effective from April 2025, based on a standard 37.5 hour working week.
Typical Roles in NHS Band 5
Band 5 NHS pay positions are for registered professionals with degree-level qualifications and professional body registration. These roles deliver autonomous clinical care and specialist interventions:
Career Progression from Band 5
NHS Band 5 salary is the foundation for a rewarding career with clear progression pathways to senior clinical and management roles within the Band 5 NHS pay structure:
Build Clinical Expertise (2-3 years at Band 5)
Develop specialist skills, complete competencies, and gain diverse clinical experience while earning your NHS Band 5 salary with annual increments.
Progress to Band 6 (£35,392-£42,618)
Move to senior staff nurse, specialist practitioner, or team coordinator roles with enhanced clinical responsibility and leadership duties.
Advance to Band 7 (£44,806-£53,134)
Become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Specialist, Team Leader, or Ward Manager with strategic responsibilities and advanced clinical skills.
Senior Leadership (Band 8a+)
Progress to Consultant Practitioner, Service Manager, or strategic leadership positions earning £55,299-£106,000+.
NHS Band 5 Benefits & Perks
NHS Pension Scheme
9.8-12.5% employee contribution with generous employer contributions
Annual Leave
27 days rising to 33 days, plus 8 bank holidays
CPD & Study Leave
Funded continuing professional development and study days
Enhanced Pay
Overtime, unsocial hours, weekends & bank holidays premium rates
Maternity/Paternity Pay
Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave pay
NHS Discounts
Exclusive NHS staff discounts nationwide
Compare with Other NHS Pay Bands
What is Agenda for Change?
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the NHS's pay system that determines the NHS Band 5 salary and compensation for over one million NHS staff. Introduced in 2004, it provides a transparent, fair framework for career progression and pay, with Band 5 NHS pay representing the entry point for registered professionals with degree-level qualifications.
The system covers registered nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, and other healthcare staff across all four UK nations. Band 5 sits in the middle of the nine-band structure (Bands 1-9), recognizing the professional registration, clinical autonomy, and degree-level education required for these essential healthcare roles.
The Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) underpins Agenda for Change, ensuring that NHS Band 5 salary earners meet professional competencies and clinical standards. Annual pay progression within Band 5 occurs through successful KSF reviews, rewarding continued professional development and excellence in patient care.
Band 5 NHS pay reflects the significant investment in education and training required to become a registered professional. The salary scale recognizes newly qualified graduates while providing competitive pay progression as experience and expertise develop, making it an attractive career choice for healthcare professionals across the UK.
NHS Pay Rise 2025/26
3.6% Pay Increase for 2025/26 | Backdated to April 1, 2025
In May 2025, the UK government announced a 3.6% pay increase for all Agenda for Change staff for the 2025/26 financial year, backdated to April 1, 2025. This has positively impacted NHS Band 5 salary rates, with the starting point rising to £31,049 and the top point reaching £37,796 in England. These above-inflation awards recognize the dedication and expertise of registered nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals earning Band 5 NHS pay.
The NHS Band 5 salary improvements reflect consecutive years of above-inflation awards (3.6% in 2025/26 following 5.5% in 2024/25), ensuring that registered professionals receive fair compensation for their clinical skills and patient care responsibilities. This represents a cumulative increase of over £5,000 for Band 5 positions since 2022/23.
Recent NHS Pay Awards Timeline:
These pay increases apply uniformly across all Agenda for Change bands, ensuring that Band 5 NHS pay earners receive the same percentage uplift as colleagues in other bands. The government continues to work with NHS Employers and trade unions to negotiate fair settlements that reward registered professionals appropriately while maintaining the competitiveness of the NHS Band 5 salary structure.