NHS Band Comparison Calculator

How to Use the NHS Band Comparison Calculator

The calculation on this page is centred on two NHS bands side by side. The key mechanics are gross and estimated net differences, which makes the tool most useful for staff considering promotion or rebanding. Promotion decisions need both gross and estimated net change because higher salary can alter tax, NI and NHS pension tier at the same time.

Start with the official salary or band information first, then change one variable at a time. Keeping hours, pay point and additions separate makes it easier to understand whether a change came from basic pay, part-time pro-rating, a progression event or an enhancement. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

2026/27 England NHS Pay Data Used

NHS Employers’ 2026/27 publication shows the England Agenda for Change scales effective from 1 April 2026. Band 5 is £32,073, £34,592 and £39,043; Band 6 is £39,959, £42,170 and £48,117; and Band 7 is £49,387, £51,932 and £56,515. Bands 8a through 9 continue through progressively higher entry, intermediate and top points. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

Full-time Agenda for Change basic pay is based on a 37.5-hour standard week. Where this page converts to an hourly or part-time value, it uses that full-time basis before applying the page-specific calculation. That keeps the result tied back to the published annual pay scale. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

Pay Progression and Pay Points

Band 5 has entry, intermediate and top points with two years until eligibility for the intermediate point and a further two years until top eligibility. Bands 6 and 7, and Bands 8a to 9, show two years to the intermediate point and a further three years to the top point. Band 4 has an entry and top point with three years until progression eligibility; Bands 2 and 3 use two-year timing. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

A national pay award updates the values on the scale, while pay progression moves the employee between points. Two nhs bands side by side can therefore change because the scale itself increased, because the employee progressed, or because both events occurred in the same pay year. The calculator does not assume progression unless the selected point changes. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

NHS Pension Context for This Calculation

From 1 April 2026, NHS Pension Scheme member contribution rates are 5.2%, 6.5%, 8.3%, 9.8%, 10.7% and 12.5% across the published actual-annual-pensionable-pay tiers. The boundaries are £13,259, £28,854, £35,155, £52,778 and £67,668 before the highest tier begins. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

For two NHS bands side by side, the pension effect matters whenever the calculation is intended to approximate take-home pay rather than basic salary alone. A promotion or progression event can cross a pension tier boundary, so the gross salary increase and cash increase can differ even before considering student loans. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

HCAS and Additional Pay

England’s 2026/27 HCAS rules are Inner London 20% with a £5,794 minimum and £8,746 maximum; Outer London 15% with a £4,870 minimum and £6,137 maximum; and Fringe 5% with a £1,346 minimum and £2,270 maximum. These additions are kept separate from the core band salary. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

This page does not silently add overtime or unsocial-hours pay unless that is the stated purpose of the calculator. Those earnings depend on the actual shift pattern and applicable terms, so dedicated pages ask for the relevant hours and enhancement or multiplier instead of using a one-size-fits-all assumption. On NHS Band Comparison Calculator, this rule is tied specifically to two NHS bands side by side; the calculation emphasises gross and estimated net differences for staff considering promotion or rebanding, so it should not be read as a generic statement applying identically to every NHS pay page.

Worked Examples for NHS Band Comparison Calculator

1. Example 1: compare Band 3 entry at £25,760 with Band 4 entry at £28,392. The gross difference is £2,632 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
2. Example 2: compare Band 4 entry at £28,392 with Band 5 entry at £32,073. The gross difference is £3,681 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
3. Example 3: compare Band 5 entry at £32,073 with Band 6 entry at £39,959. The gross difference is £7,886 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
4. Example 4: compare Band 6 entry at £39,959 with Band 7 entry at £49,387. The gross difference is £9,428 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
5. Example 5: compare Band 7 entry at £49,387 with Band 8a entry at £57,528. The gross difference is £8,141 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
6. Example 6: compare Band 8a entry at £57,528 with Band 8b entry at £66,582. The gross difference is £9,054 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
7. Example 7: compare Band 8b entry at £66,582 with Band 8c entry at £79,504. The gross difference is £12,922 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.
8. Example 8: compare Band 9 entry at £112,782 with Band 8d entry at £94,356. The gross difference is £-18,426 before tax, NI and pension-tier effects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a 2025/26 salary on a page labelled 2026/27.
• Assuming England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland always use the same NHS pay scale.
• Confusing a national pay award with movement to the next pay point.
• Using a flat HCAS percentage without applying the official minimum and maximum.
• Applying one NHS pension percentage to every salary band.
• Treating an annual planning estimate as an exact monthly payroll calculation.

Related NHS Pay Calculators

NHS Band Comparison Calculator FAQs

Official Sources

• NHS Employers — Pay scales for 2026/27
• NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook
• NHSBSA — NHS Pension Scheme member contribution rates