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About the NHS Take Home Pay Calculator
Understanding NHS Pay in the UK
The NHS uses the Agenda for Change (AfC) framework covering over 1 million employees. Salaries span 9 pay bands with multiple pay points that increase with experience. This calculator helps NHS employees at any band see their actual take-home pay.
NHS Pay Bands 2025/26
Current bands range from Band 1 (£22,383) to Band 9 (£107,637+). Nurses start at Band 5 (£29,970-£36,483), junior doctors at £32,397, and senior consultants earn £105,000+.
NHS Pension Scheme
The NHS Pension is a Defined Benefit scheme based on career average earnings. Contribution rates are tiered:
- Up to £13,246: 5.1%
- £13,247–£26,823: 6.3%
- £26,824–£32,691: 7.1%
- £32,692–£49,078: 9.3%
- £49,079–£72,031: 12.5%
- Over £72,031: 13.5%
Contributions are deducted before tax, reducing your taxable income.
Additional NHS Deductions
Beyond tax and pension, NHS staff may see deductions for professional registration (NMC £120/year, GMC £433/year), union subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, and student loan repayments.
Unsocial Hours and Enhancements
AfC enhancements: 30% for Saturday/weekday nights, 60% for Sundays/bank holidays. Include these in your gross salary for accurate results.
NHS Tax Planning Tips
NHS employees have several unique opportunities to maximise their take-home pay. Understanding these can make a material difference to your financial wellbeing.
Pension Tax Relief at Higher Bands
If you are a Band 7 or above earning over £50,270, you are a Higher Rate taxpayer. Your NHS pension contributions receive 40% tax relief rather than 20%, making your pension even more valuable. For every £100 contributed, only £60 comes from your take-home — the taxman effectively covers £40. This makes the NHS pension scheme exceptionally generous for senior staff.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes
Many NHS trusts offer salary sacrifice for childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work, electric vehicles, and additional voluntary contributions (AVCs). Since these reduce your gross salary, they lower both your income tax and National Insurance bill. A £5,000 salary sacrifice at Band 6 could save approximately £1,400 in combined tax and NI.
Overtime and Bank Shifts
NHS overtime and bank shifts are taxed at your marginal rate. If you are near a tax band threshold, additional shifts could push you into a higher bracket. Consider timing bank shifts around the tax year (April 6th) or making pension contributions to offset the additional tax burden. Keep detailed records of all enhanced hours as these are fully taxable at your highest marginal rate.
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