NHS Band 8c Salary 2026/27: Pay Scale and Take-Home Pay
NHS Band 8c pay in England is £79,504 to £91,609 a year from 1 April 2026. After tax and National Insurance you take home about £4,722 to £5,308 a month.
Band 8c pay points and take-home pay
| Pay point | Salary | Hourly | Take-home a year | A month | A week | Moves up after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | £79,504 | £40.66 | £56,670 | £4,722 | £1,089.80 | 2 years |
| Intermediate | £84,346 | £43.14 | £59,478 | £4,957 | £1,143.81 | 3 years |
| Top | £91,609 | £46.85 | £63,691 | £5,308 | £1,224.82 | Top of band |
These figures are after income tax and National Insurance only. Most public sector staff pay into a pension, which takes a further share of pay. Add your own pension percentage in the take-home pay calculator for a closer figure.
Work out my exact take-home pay
What jobs are in Band 8c?
Senior managers and directors of services. These are examples only: the band for any job comes from the NHS job evaluation process and varies between employers.
How NHS pay progression works
NHS staff on Agenda for Change start at the entry point of their band and move up the pay points over time. In Band 8c the table above shows how many years you wait at each point before you become eligible to move up. Progression depends on meeting the standards set by your employer. To earn more, you can apply for roles in a higher band.
Compare other bands
- Band 2 (£25,272)
- Band 3 (£25,760)
- Band 4 (£28,392)
- Band 5 (£32,073)
- Band 6 (£39,959)
- Band 7 (£49,387)
- Band 8a (£57,528)
- Band 8b (£66,582)
- Band 8d (£94,356)
- Band 9 (£112,782)
Source: NHS Employers: Pay scales for 2026/27. Take-home pay is worked out with the 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the standard tax code. See all NHS bands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for NHS Band 8c in 2026/27?
Band 8c starts at £79,504 a year in England from 1 April 2026, rising to £91,609 at the top of the band.
How much is NHS Band 8c after tax?
At the entry point you take home about £4,722 a month (£56,670 a year) after income tax and National Insurance, and about £5,308 a month at the top of the band. This is before pension contributions.
What is the hourly rate for Band 8c?
About £40.66 an hour at entry and £46.85 at the top of the band, based on a standard 37.5-hour week.
How long does it take to reach the top of Band 8c?
You become eligible for pay progression after 2 years at the entry point and then 3 years at the intermediate point, so around 5 years to reach the top of the band, subject to your employer’s progression rules.
Are NHS pay scales the same across the UK?
These are the Agenda for Change pay scales for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own NHS pay scales, which can differ. Staff working in London and some surrounding areas also receive a High Cost Area Supplement on top of these figures.
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.