NHS Staff
Pay Scales 2026/27
Rules last checked
Basic pay, full time, 2026/27
Annual basic pay for a 36-hour week from 1 April 2026. You move up a step after the years shown. For your own take-home, use the Pay Calculator for Scotland. Band 1† is closed to new entrants.
| Band | Step | Basic pay against the top of band 9 | Annual basic | Years to the next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 closed to new entrants | Every step | £26,557 | ||
| Band 2 | Entry | £26,696 | 2 years to the next step | |
| Top | £28,988 | |||
| Band 3 | Entry | £29,103 | 2 years to the next step | |
| Top | £31,409 | |||
| Band 4 | Entry | £31,537 | 3 years to the next step | |
| Top | £34,303 | |||
| Band 5 | Entry | £34,544 | 2 years to the next step | |
| Intermediate | £36,911 | 2 years to the next step | ||
| Top | £43,039 | |||
| Band 6 | Entry | £43,231 | 2 years to the next step | |
| Intermediate | £45,135 | 3 years to the next step | ||
| Top | £52,679 | |||
| Band 7 | Entry | £52,845 | 2 years to the next step | |
| Intermediate | £54,863 | 3 years to the next step | ||
| Top | £61,466 | |||
| Band 8a | Entry | £65,125 | 5 years to the next step | |
| Top | £70,303 | |||
| Band 8b | Entry | £76,888 | 5 years to the next step | |
| Top | £82,251 | |||
| Band 8c | Entry | £90,808 | 5 years to the next step | |
| Top | £97,338 | |||
| Band 8d | Entry | £107,810 | 5 years to the next step | |
| Top | £112,426 | |||
| Band 9 | Entry | £127,521 | 5 years to the next step | |
| Top | £133,044 |
Scottish Government, circular PCS(AFC)2026/1, Annex B and Annex C.
What is paid on top of basic
Unsocial hours
A percentage of each hour's basic pay, plus any long-term recruitment and retention premium, added on top. Saturdays and weeknights: all day Saturday, and weekdays after 8pm and before 6am. Sundays and public holidays: all day Sunday and on public holidays. The Pay Calculator turns these into pounds.
| Band | Saturdays and weeknightson top of basic pay | Sundays and public holidayson top of basic pay |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | +50% | +100% |
| Band 2 | +44% | +88% |
| Band 3 | +37% | +74% |
| Bands 4 to 9 | +30% | +60% |
NHS Scotland Agenda for Change Handbook, Section 2, Table 2.
Overtime
Time and a half above 36 hours a week, and double time on a general public holiday. Part-time staff are paid their normal rate up to 36 hours. Every band, 1 to 9, is paid overtime.
NHS Scotland Agenda for Change Handbook, Section 3.
Sources
- Scottish Government, circular PCS(AFC)2026/1, the pay points from 1 April 2026 (Annex B) and the years at each (Annex C).
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