NHS Band 3 Pay Scale 2026/27
Band 3 covers senior clinical support and technical administrative roles. Pay progresses from £25,760 to £27,476 after 2 years.
Typical NHS Band 3 NHS Roles
NHS Band 3 2026/27 Pay Progression & Take-Home Pay
Assumes standard England 1257L tax code, actual NHS Pension tier deduction, and no student loan.
| Experience Step | Annual Gross | Monthly Gross | Pension Tier | Monthly Take-Home | Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 years | £25,760 | £2,147 | 6.5% | £1,727 | £20,727 |
| 2+ years | £27,476 | £2,290 | 6.5% | £1,823 | £21,874 |
NHS Band 3 London Weighting (HCAS) for 2026/27
If you work in a London NHS trust, you receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) on top of your basic pay:
20% of basic pay, subject to min/max caps. For NHS Band 3 entry: £31,554.
15% of basic pay, subject to min/max caps.
5% of basic pay for designated surrounding counties.
England vs Scotland NHS Band 3 Pay Comparison
In Scotland, Band 3 ranges from £26,869 to £28,998. NHS Scotland negotiates pay separately through NHS Scotland Agenda for Change circulars and is also subject to separate Scottish Income Tax rates (19% Starter, 20% Basic, 21% Intermediate, 42% Higher).
NHS Band 3 Unsocial Hours Enhancements (Section 2)
Staff working shift patterns earn Agenda for Change Section 2 uplifts on their basic hourly rate:
Calculate your exact NHS Band 3 take-home pay
Include your specific overtime hours, unsocial shifts, London weighting, and student loan deductions in our interactive calculator.
Explore Other NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands
Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Band 3
What is the starting salary for NHS Band 3 in 2026/27?
Starting salary for Band 3 with less than 2 years experience is £25,760. After 2 years, it rises to £27,476.
How much take-home pay does an NHS Band 3 worker receive?
Take-home pay is approximately £1,686/month at entry level and £1,780/month at top of band, assuming standard tax code and 6.5% - 8.3% pension.