- 09 May 2023
- 3 min read
A Nurse’s Guide To NHS Pay Bands In 2023
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- Emanuele D'amico
- Mat Martin
- Matt Farrah
- Aisha Seidu Peligah
- Vanessa Mantebea Opoku
- Laura Bosworth
- 6
- 8
- 592215
A brief guide to the pay on offer in each banding according to the most recent updatesIf you’ve ever wondered how the NHS pay bands compare with one another, here is a brief guide to how your responsibilities will change, along with your pay.
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NHS pay for Nurses is structured around different bandings
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Search JobsNHS pay for Nurses is structured around different bandings
Newly qualified, NMC registered nurses start at Band 5, and the most qualified and experienced nursing consultants and specialists can climb all the way to the uppermost pay band, which is band 9.
Within each banding, different levels of NHS pay are on offer according to experience.
And movement between bandings can come with enough experience and further study, allowing nurses to apply for more senior roles.
Here’s a complete guide to the pay on offer within each banding, and the typical job titles found within each banding.
Band 5 salaries and roles
Band 5 nursing roles apply to newly qualified Nurses.
The current starting salary for a Band 5 Nurse is £28,407.
With 2-4 years’ experience, a Band 5 Nurse will earn £30,639, and the very top of this banding pays £32,934.
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CommentBand 6 salaries and roles
Band 6 Nursing roles typically include Senior Nurses, Deputy Ward Managers, Health Visitors and various specialist Nurses.
Band 6 roles start at £35,392, and rise to £42,618 for nurses with more than 5 years of experience.
It’s important to note that all roles at Band 6 and above will require increasingly specialised skills, qualifications and experience.
Band 7 salaries and roles
Band 7 nursing roles include Ward Managers, Emergency Nurse Practitioners and clinical specialists.
Band 7 roles start at £43,742 and rise to £50,056 for anyone with more than 5 years of experience.
At this level, it’s likely that highly specialised knowledge will be essential for securing a position – which will probably come from a Master’s degree.
Experience is vital too, as Band 7 roles tend to come with a great deal of responsibility.
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ContributeBands 8 and 9
At the very top of NHS nursing banding there are only a few types of roles that qualify.
Band 8 and 9 roles normally only apply to Modern Matrons, Chief Nurses and Consultants.
Band 8a roles start at £50,952, but at Band 8d, can rise to £96,376 a year.
Meanwhile, Band 9 roles start at £99,891, and rise to more than £114,949 a year with 5 years or more experience.
At this level, your role is increasingly consultative.
You’re an expert in your field, and you help to educate others.
What will you earn?
If you’re looking to start a career as a Nurse or move into a new role in a higher banding, you can work out exactly what you’ll earn in the NHS (and take home after tax and pension deductions) using our handy NHS pay calculator.
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I believe people should be able to choose to enjoy work. That is, choose an employer who reflects their values and provides them with a sustainable career.
Want to get involved in the discussion
Sign In JoinJanet Dalton
Janet Dalton
7 months agoYou would still start at band 5 with an MSc as you require at least 12 months' experience before moving ... read more
You would still start at band 5 with an MSc as you require at least 12 months' experience before moving to a band 6. But, as some band 6 roles will require an MSc or may ask you to study for one while in the role having one already may give you an advantage. Another thing to consider might be the added intensity of a qualification done over two years rather than the steadier degree done over 3 years. But if you feel you could manage that, you would have a higher qualification in a shorter time frame. Good luck with it Chris, whatever you decide.
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Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton
7 months agoI understand newly qualified nurses start at Band 5. Is this the same for a BSc and MSc? I have ... read more
I understand newly qualified nurses start at Band 5. Is this the same for a BSc and MSc? I have offers for both BSc and MSc Mental Health Nursing, and other than a different qualification, I was wondering if it makes a difference to where you start with the NHS, band wise.
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Hi Chris. In case you don't get alerted, Janet Dalton has posted(above)this answer to your question: You would still start at band 5 with an MSc as you require at least 12 months' experience before mo... read more
Hi Chris. In case you don't get alerted, Janet Dalton has posted(above)this answer to your question: You would still start at band 5 with an MSc as you require at least 12 months' experience before moving to a band 6. But, as some band 6 roles will require an MSc or may ask you to study for one while in the role having one already may give you an advantage. Another thing to consider might be the added intensity of a qualification done over two years rather than the steadier degree done over 3 years. But if you feel you could manage that, you would have a higher qualification in a shorter time frame. Good luck with it Chris, whatever you decide
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Colm B
Colm B
8 months agoWhat band can a nurse with 18 years experience in the States expect to start at ?
What band can a nurse with 18 years experience in the States expect to start at ?
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Hi Colm. We're not completely sure. But here are our thoughts. Firstly, of course, you would need a PIN. Then, we would say a Band 6 would be a good start. Plenty of UK nurses have been in the NHS for... read more
Hi Colm. We're not completely sure. But here are our thoughts. Firstly, of course, you would need a PIN. Then, we would say a Band 6 would be a good start. Plenty of UK nurses have been in the NHS for 20 plus years and are happy working at Band 6. If they have Leadership and Management skills then they may work at Band 7 - but they would need to integrate their skills.
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Hi Colm. I just chatted to another colleague here. She said, "Well that will depend on his level of qualifications as band levels are set by a mix of quals and experience. For instance, Trusts expect ... read more
Hi Colm. I just chatted to another colleague here. She said, "Well that will depend on his level of qualifications as band levels are set by a mix of quals and experience. For instance, Trusts expect a degree now for certain bands regardless of experience. I would suggest getting in touch with Trusts directly to discuss."
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John Y
John Y
9 months agoHello Matt, if this is true, does this means that my trust owes me some pay back? when did it ... read more
Hello Matt, if this is true, does this means that my trust owes me some pay back? when did it started? I have 11 years of experience but I tried to talk to my trust with regard to my hospital experience but still gave me 25,655/year as starting.
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This isn't something we can answer John. It sounds like you've started / tried to talk to your employer. That's the route you need to take.
Jim Mainland
Jim Mainland
11 months agoWhy no mention whatsoever of the fact that the same pay bands are significantly higher for nurses in Scotland?!
Why no mention whatsoever of the fact that the same pay bands are significantly higher for nurses in Scotland?!
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Thanks Jim. This is true and ideally we would be all over everything. Truth is, we are a team of just 15 people. With these resources it's hard to ensure everything is done. Accuracy is really importa... read more
Thanks Jim. This is true and ideally we would be all over everything. Truth is, we are a team of just 15 people. With these resources it's hard to ensure everything is done. Accuracy is really important so we have to focus where we can. We're trying to actually win the NHS as clients(so far they support big overseas businesses like Indeed). If we can do this, we can find funds to employ more people and do more - all of our content is produced for free. We try to inspire people into nursing and support nurses. We earn money from listing jobs, and it's tough balancing our costs with our income - we are a tiny independent in a pond full of huge corporations. Just telling you how it is - ask the NHS to use us to advertise their jobs.
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Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw
2 years agoIs this calculated as years of experience in the NHS or years of experience as a nurse???
Is this calculated as years of experience in the NHS or years of experience as a nurse???
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At that point it's probably best for us to say you need to speak with your Trust.
John C
John C
3 years agoI work as a nurse Matt and you're right a lot of people do it for the love and not ... read more
I work as a nurse Matt and you're right a lot of people do it for the love and not the money. Other caring professionals aren't so soft, particularly doctors who I'm sure are just as caring but very well paid....with negotiations done without fuss or controversy! What do you think? Do we need to toughen up more when negotiating and not be held to ransom by the government over strike action.
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From my experience of talking to nurses John, I don't think they can become something else - not tougher etc. Otherwise they will lose what it is that makes them who they are. If anything has been lea... read more
From my experience of talking to nurses John, I don't think they can become something else - not tougher etc. Otherwise they will lose what it is that makes them who they are. If anything has been learned through the last 4 months of a pandemic is how valued nurses are(at least emotionally)by the nation.
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Louise Tulloch
Louise Tulloch
3 years agoI have worked as a GPN since 1987 I am disappointed that we still have to approach our Gp employers ... read more
I have worked as a GPN since 1987 I am disappointed that we still have to approach our Gp employers every year to discuss pay which is uncomfortable. When will this change ? Make GPN pay a part of QOF .Matt your right we do the job because we love it but pay is important. How can we encourage new nurses into this amazing area of work when there is no pay structure. We have only received a pension since GPS were made to offer it let’s get agreement that we should also get Agenda for change pay at least before I retire.
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