Understanding Band 6 NHS Salary
Band 6 NHS salary represents a significant career milestone for experienced registered professionals, including senior nurses, specialist practitioners, and team leaders. The Band 6 NHS pay scale recognizes 3-5 years of post-registration experience, specialist clinical skills, leadership capabilities, and the enhanced responsibilities of supervising junior staff while delivering expert patient care within the NHS Agenda for Change framework.
Band 6 NHS Pay Scale 2025/26
Current Band 6 NHS salary rates across all UK regions
| Years | Type | England | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | per year | £38,682 | £39,263 | £41,608 | £37,338 |
| 0–2 | per hour | £19.77 | £20.16 | £21.57 | £19.15 |
| 2–5 | per year | £40,823 | £41,437 | £43,441 | £39,405 |
| 2–5 | per hour | £20.98 | £21.36 | £22.52 | £20.26 |
| 5+ | per year | £46,580 | £47,280 | £50,702 | £44,962 |
| 5+ | per hour | £23.87 | £24.23 | £26.01 | £23.05 |
* These Band 6 NHS pay rates are effective from April 2025, based on a standard 37.5 hour working week.
Typical Roles in NHS Band 6
Band 6 NHS salary positions are for experienced registered professionals with specialist expertise, supervisory responsibilities, and proven competencies. These roles combine advanced clinical skills with team leadership:
Career Progression from Band 6
Band 6 NHS pay positions provide excellent opportunities for progression to senior leadership and advanced clinical roles, significantly enhancing your Band 6 NHS salary potential:
Master Your Specialist Area (2-3 years at Band 6)
Develop expert clinical skills, complete postgraduate qualifications, and demonstrate leadership while earning competitive Band 6 NHS salary with annual increments.
Progress to Band 7 (£44,806-£53,134)
Move to Ward Manager, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Specialist, or Team Manager roles with strategic leadership and service development responsibilities.
Advance to Band 8a (£55,299-£62,785)
Become a Service Manager, Consultant Practitioner, or Senior Manager leading large teams, managing budgets, and shaping strategic service delivery.
Executive Leadership (Band 8b+)
Progress to Director, Executive, or strategic leadership positions earning £65,664-£106,000+, shaping NHS policy and organizational strategy.
NHS Band 6 Benefits & Perks
NHS Pension Scheme
12.5% employee contribution with excellent employer contributions
Annual Leave
27-33 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
Leadership Development
Funded management and leadership training programs
Enhanced Pay Rates
Premium rates for overtime, weekends, and unsocial hours
Postgraduate Study Support
Funding and study leave for MSc, PGDip, and specialist qualifications
Flexible Working Options
Part-time, job share, and flexible shift patterns available
Compare with Other NHS Pay Bands
What is Agenda for Change?
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the NHS's comprehensive pay system that determines the Band 6 NHS salary and compensation structure for over one million NHS staff. Introduced in 2004, it provides transparent career progression frameworks, with Band 6 NHS pay representing an important milestone for experienced professionals taking on specialist and leadership responsibilities.
The system covers all NHS staff from entry-level support workers to senior managers, with Band 6 positioned as a senior practitioner grade within the nine-band structure (Bands 1-9). The Band 6 NHS salary recognizes specialist clinical skills, supervisory capabilities, and advanced competencies essential for delivering high-quality patient care and mentoring junior staff.
The Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) underpins Agenda for Change, ensuring that Band 6 NHS pay earners demonstrate advanced competencies in their specialist areas. Annual pay progression within Band 6 occurs through successful KSF reviews and appraisals, rewarding continued professional development, leadership skills, and clinical excellence.
Band 6 NHS salary levels reflect the significant experience, postgraduate qualifications, and leadership responsibilities required at this grade. The pay scale provides competitive compensation while offering clear pathways to Band 7 and beyond, making Band 6 NHS pay an attractive career stage for ambitious healthcare professionals seeking senior clinical and leadership roles.
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 Band 6 NHS salary rates, with the starting point rising to £38,682 and the top point reaching £46,580 in England. These above-inflation awards recognize the specialist expertise, leadership skills, and supervisory responsibilities of senior healthcare professionals earning Band 6 NHS pay.
The Band 6 NHS salary improvements reflect consecutive years of above-inflation awards (3.6% in 2025/26 following 5.5% in 2024/25), ensuring that experienced professionals receive fair compensation for their advanced clinical skills and team leadership. This represents a cumulative increase of over £6,500 for Band 6 positions since 2022/23, significantly enhancing Band 6 NHS pay competitiveness.
Recent NHS Pay Awards Timeline:
These pay increases apply uniformly across all Agenda for Change bands, ensuring that Band 6 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 settlements that reward experienced professionals appropriately, maintaining the attractiveness of the Band 6 NHS salary structure for senior clinical and leadership roles.