NHS Nursing pay rise 2024 confirmed: All the details

Now that the NHS nursing pay rise has finally been confirmed, here is everything you need to know.

After months of delays, debates, recommendations and disagreements, the NHS nursing pay rise for 2024/25 has finally been confirmed.

And what’s more, for the first time in a long time, it’s actually higher than most experts predicted or even suggested.

Here are all the key details…

How much is nursing pay increasing by?

An across-the-board pay rise of 5.5% has been confirmed.

Whatever banding you’re at, if you’re an NHS Nurse, your previous salary will increase by 5.5%.

What will my actual salary now be?

Your new salary will of course depend on your banding, and how many years’ experience you have within each banding.

But as an indication:

• If you’re a newly qualified Band 5 Nurse, your new salary will be £29,969

• If you’re a Band 5 Nurse with 2 years’ experience your new salary will be £32,324

• If you’re a Band 6 Nurse with less than 2 years’ experience your new salary will be £37, 339

To find out more on exactly what you might earn, head to our handy pay calculator.

Will there be an extra one-off payment like in 2023?

There will be no additional one-off payment this year.

In 2023 inflation was out of control, and the one-off payment was a way of helping nurses to cope with surging costs.

In 2024, inflation has dropped significantly.

Will my pay rise be back-dated?

The pay increase should have been announced in April, to match the end of the financial year in the UK. It was delayed, largely due to the general election.

Therefore, the 5.5% pay increase will be back-dated to reflect this.

Why has a rise of 5.5% been announced? Is it fair?

Generally speaking, NHS pay rises either meet expectations or falls short of them. This year, arguably, the pay rise exceeds expectations.

NHS England actually recommended a pay rise of 2-3%. Meanwhile, inflation – which is normally a very good benchmark for finding the right level of increase – is currently around 2%.

An above-inflation pay increase is unusual, and to some onlookers will appear generous.

However, if you view this pay rise within a wider perspective, this looks a little different.

NHS pay rises have fallen short of expectations for many years, and between 2010 and 2020, nursing salaries often fell behind the pace of inflation and increases within other sectors.

So, arguably, this pay rise is the attempted beginning of a longer term correction.

Have your say

If you’re a Nurse, let us know what you think of the pay rise. Is it fair and generous enough? Or is there more to this story?

Share your thoughts with the nursing community.