How much does a Band 5 nurse take home?

A Band 5 nurse (Step 1, ~£32,073 in 2026/27 outside London) takes home roughly £1,900–£2,100 a month after tax and the NHS Pension, depending on pension contributions and any London weighting.

How does the NHS Pension affect take-home?

The NHS Pension is a Net Pay arrangement, so contributions are deducted before tax — lowering your Income Tax and NI. Contribution rates are tiered by pensionable pay.

Do London nurses earn more?

Yes. London weighting adds 5%–20% to pensionable pay depending on the zone (Fringe, Outer, Inner), lifting both gross and take-home. See our Band 5 London page for the breakdown.

2026/27 Tax Year · Agenda for Change

Nurse Take-Home Pay (UK)

See what an NHS nurse keeps after tax and the NHS Pension in 2026/27. Band 5 is where most newly qualified nurses start; Band 6 covers senior and specialist roles. Model your exact band in our calculator.

Nurse Salary Bands & Take-Home (England, no London)

Approximate 2026/27 figures, Step 1, after tax and a typical NHS Pension contribution. Confirm with your employer's payslip.

Band	Base (Step 1)	Take-home / month
Band 5 (NQN)	≈ £32,073	≈ £2,000
Band 6 (Senior)	≈ £37,338	≈ £2,300
Band 7 (Ward Mgr)	≈ £46,148	≈ £2,800

💡 NHS Pension effect

🔧Because the NHS Pension is Net Pay, your contribution comes off before tax — so a higher contribution lowers both your tax and NI while building your pension.

Nurse Pay Tips

London weighting: 5%–20% extra on pensionable pay — see our Band 5 London page.
Unsocial hours: night and weekend enhancements boost gross pay.
Student loan: most nurses are on Plan 5 — repayments apply above £25,000.
Full AfC scale: use the NHS Salary Calculator for Bands 2–9.