School Nurse Salary In The UK

Updated March 19th 2026

• This article was originally published on 25th January 2023, and last updated 19th March 2026
• All figures represent the 3.3% increase set for April 1st 2026

What Is A School Nurse Salary In The UK

A School Nurse is a qualified and NMC registered nurse supporting children within a school or a similar educational setting.

It’s a role that involves working with either younger or older children in both state and private, fee-paying schools. It’s also a specialised role that requires some study beyond a foundational nursing degree and NMC registration.

Challenging and rewarding, it offers great opportunity for progression and development, and there continue to be lots of roles available right across the UK.

But what kind of salaries can you expect as a School Nurse?

This short guide aims to answer that question, and a handful others, surrounding school nursing pay.

What Is The Starting Salary For A School Nurse?

In the NHS, the starting salary for a School Nurse is £39,959 – which is a Band 6 starting salary.

School Nurses start at band 6 and can work their way up through the NHS bandings with more experience and qualifications.

Many School Nurses are actually employed by local authorities, where starting salaries aren’t regulated in the same way as the NHS. Anecdotally, starting salaries within local authorities are a little lower than in the NHS.

So, it is not very accurate to guess at an average salary because it is complicated by the fact that School Nurses work through the NHS AND local authorities – and with both state schools and private schools. Rates of pay can vary within each setting.

What Is The Most A School Nurse Can Earn?

Some School Nurses with enough experience and specialist skills can move into higher bandings within the NHS or higher rates of pay elsewhere. This means, with enough experience School Nurses can earn well in excess of £40,000. But earning more than this will require further career development and progression.

Some School Nurses become team leaders or community matrons, or even manage entire services. Others decide to move into education and research.

These more senior positions could see you operating at consultant-level – and these salaries can move beyond £50,000 a year or even £60,000.

How Else Can You Boost Your Earnings As A School Nurse?

Beyond specialising in certain areas or studying for extra qualifications, School Nurses can choose the path of other nurses and take on agency work.

As with any other kind of nurse, there is demand for specialist School Nurses. With experience and the flexibility to travel and work at short notice, School Nurses working through an agency can command very high rates of pay.

The challenge will be ensuring that you can work as often as you need to. That’s why agency work is best suited for people with plenty of experience, and plenty of flexibility.