Band 3 NHS pay 2026/27
Band 3 covers experienced support roles with additional responsibility, such as senior healthcare assistants and administrative roles. It has two pay steps.
Band 3 pay steps
Full-time annual salary (37.5 hours/week, England). The 2026/27 rates include the 3.3% award effective 1 April 2026.
| Pay step | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Increase | Hourly (26/27) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (< 2 years) | £24,937 | £25,760 | +£823 | £13.17 |
| Top (2+ years) | £26,598 | £27,476 | +£878 | £14.05 |
Band 3 take-home pay 2026/27
Estimated deductions at each pay step, assuming NHS Pension membership, standard tax code (1257L), no student loan and no other deductions.
| Pay step | Gross | Pension | Income tax | Nat. Insurance | Take-home / year | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (< 2 years) | £25,760 | £1,674 (6.5%) | £2,303 | £1,055 | £20,727 | £1,727 |
| Top (2+ years) | £27,476 | £1,786 (6.5%) | £2,624 | £1,192 | £21,874 | £1,823 |
Add student loan, switch tax year or turn pension off in the calculator.
Band 3 pay: quick answers
How much does a Band 3 earn in the NHS in 2026/27?+
In England, NHS Band 3 pay in 2026/27 runs from £25,760 at entry to £27,476 at the top step (full-time, 37.5 hours a week), including the 3.3% Agenda for Change pay award.
What is the monthly take-home pay for a Band 3 in 2026/27?+
Estimated take-home pay for a full-time Band 3 is roughly £1,727 to £1,823 a month depending on pay step, assuming NHS Pension membership, tax code 1257L and no student loan.
What is the Band 3 hourly rate in 2026/27?+
The full-time equivalent hourly rate for Band 3 ranges from £13.17 to £14.05 before deductions, based on 37.5 hours a week.
Sources & data checks
Salaries on this page are the official Agenda for Change pay scales for England published by NHS Employers. Deductions are calculated from HMRC 2026/27 tax and National Insurance thresholds and the NHS Pension member contribution tiers. Every figure is re-checked by an independent calculation before publication — last reviewed 17 July 2026.