NHS Band 3 — Full Pay Point Breakdown 2026/27
Senior healthcare assistants, clinical support workers, administrative officers.
| Point | Gross | Income Tax | National Insurance | Take-Home /yr | Take-Home /mo |
|---|
| Entry | £25,760 | £2,638 | £1,055 | £22,067 | £1,839 |
| Top | £27,476 | £2,981 | £1,192 | £23,302 | £1,942 |
Figures use England, Wales & Northern Ireland Income Tax bands and 2026/27 rates, basic pay only — before any unsocial hours enhancement, overtime or High Cost Area Supplement (London weighting).
NHS Band 3 Pay in 2025/26
Under the 2025/26 Agenda for Change scale, Band 3 ran from £24,937 to £26,598, before the 3.3% uplift on 1 April 2026 raised it to £25,760–£27,476 for 2026/27. An old payslip or P60 from the 2025/26 tax year will show the lower figure. For the full structure across every band and recent years, see the NHS pay bands overview.
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Pay scale sourced from the NHS Employers 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay circular (3.3% uplift, effective 1 April 2026). Tax and NI calculated using published 2026/27 HMRC rates — not an official NHS or HMRC tool. Verify at
nhsemployers.org or
gov.uk/estimate-income-tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does NHS Band 3 pay in 2026/27?
NHS Band 3 ranges from £25,760 a year at the entry point to £27,476 at the top of the band, under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scale (3.3% uplift from 1 April 2026).
What is the take-home pay for NHS Band 3?
At the top of Band 3 (£27,476 gross), take-home pay is £23,302 a year (£1,942 a month) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, after £2,981 Income Tax and £1,192 National Insurance. In Scotland, take-home is £23,342 due to different Income Tax bands.
What was NHS Band 3 pay in 2025/26?
Under the 2025/26 Agenda for Change scale, Band 3 ran from £24,937 to £26,598, before the 3.3% uplift on 1 April 2026 raised it to £25,760–£27,476 for 2026/27.
What roles are in NHS Band 3?
Senior healthcare assistants, clinical support workers, administrative officers. Exact job titles vary by trust and role profile — check your trust's job description against the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme for a definitive banding.
Does NHS Band 3 pay include unsocial hours or overtime?
No — these figures are basic Agenda for Change pay only. Unsocial hours enhancements, overtime, high-cost area supplements (London weighting) and on-call payments are calculated separately and added on top of basic pay.