NHS Pay Wales 2026/27
Pay Scales & Calculator
Every NHS Wales Agenda for Change pay point for 2026/27, with Welsh income tax, NHS pension tiers and the Real Living Wage floor built in
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NHS Wales Pay Scales 2026/27 by Band
NHS Wales staff got a 3.3% pay rise from 1 April 2026. Full-time pay now runs from £26,300 at Band 2 to £131,732 at the top of Band 9, and every Welsh pay point is higher than England's. Each table shows the 2026/27 pay points next to 2025/26, with monthly take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance and NHS pension.
NHS Wales Band 1 Pay 2026/27
Band 1 is closed to new entrants in Wales. It is paid at the Real Living Wage floor, the same as Band 2.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Spot rate | £26,300 | £1,757/mo | £24,833 | £1,676/mo |
NHS Wales Band 2 Pay 2026/27
Band 2's entry and top points are both set at the Real Living Wage floor, so everyone in the band is paid the same rate.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry and top | £26,300 | £1,757/mo | £24,833 | £1,676/mo |
NHS Wales Band 3 Pay 2026/27
Band 3 has two pay points, with the top point after two years. The entry point was raised to £26,813 on 1 June 2026 to restore the gap above Band 2.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £26,813 | £1,786/mo | £25,313 | £1,702/mo |
| Top (2+ yrs) | £27,890 | £1,846/mo | £26,999 | £1,796/mo |
NHS Wales Band 4 Pay 2026/27
Band 4 has two pay points, with the top point after three years.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–3 yrs) | £28,819 | £1,898/mo | £27,898 | £1,813/mo |
| Top (3+ yrs) | £31,626 | £2,016/mo | £30,615 | £1,961/mo |
NHS Wales Band 5 Pay 2026/27
Band 5 has three pay points: the intermediate point after two years and the top after four. It is the starting band for newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £32,557 | £2,067/mo | £31,516 | £2,010/mo |
| Intermediate (2–4 yrs) | £35,114 | £2,206/mo | £33,992 | £2,111/mo |
| Top (4+ yrs) | £39,631 | £2,412/mo | £38,364 | £2,344/mo |
NHS Wales Band 6 Pay 2026/27
Band 6 has three pay points: the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £40,559 | £2,462/mo | £39,263 | £2,393/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £42,805 | £2,582/mo | £41,437 | £2,509/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £48,841 | £2,905/mo | £47,280 | £2,821/mo |
NHS Wales Band 7 Pay 2026/27
Band 7 has three pay points: the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £50,129 | £2,974/mo | £48,527 | £2,888/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £52,712 | £3,124/mo | £51,028 | £2,995/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £57,365 | £3,346/mo | £55,532 | £3,255/mo |
NHS Wales Band 8a Pay 2026/27
Band 8a has three pay points, with the intermediate point after two years and the top after five. Wales added the intermediate point in 2024, two years before England.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £58,379 | £3,389/mo | £56,514 | £3,309/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £61,317 | £3,515/mo | £59,358 | £3,431/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £65,723 | £3,705/mo | £63,623 | £3,615/mo |
NHS Wales Band 8b Pay 2026/27
Band 8b has three pay points, with the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £67,583 | £3,785/mo | £65,424 | £3,633/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £71,952 | £3,908/mo | £69,653 | £3,811/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £78,530 | £4,185/mo | £76,021 | £4,079/mo |
NHS Wales Band 8c Pay 2026/27
Band 8c has three pay points, with the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £80,698 | £4,276/mo | £78,120 | £4,167/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £85,611 | £4,483/mo | £82,876 | £4,367/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £92,984 | £4,793/mo | £90,013 | £4,668/mo |
NHS Wales Band 8d Pay 2026/27
Band 8d has three pay points, with the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £95,773 | £4,910/mo | £92,713 | £4,781/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £101,643 | £5,157/mo | £98,395 | £5,021/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £110,448 | £5,528/mo | £106,919 | £5,379/mo |
NHS Wales Band 9 Pay 2026/27
Band 9 has three pay points, with the intermediate point after two years and the top after five.
| Pay point | 2026-27 | 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | Take-Home | Salary | Take-Home | |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | £114,475 | £5,695/mo | £110,818 | £5,543/mo |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £121,377 | £5,884/mo | £117,499 | £5,778/mo |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £131,732 | £6,169/mo | £127,523 | £6,053/mo |
Take-home is for full-time pay with tax code C1257L, the NHS Pension Scheme tier for that salary and no student loan or salary sacrifice. You move to the next pay point after the years shown if you meet the All Wales Pay Progression Policy standards. Use the calculator above for part-time hours, unsocial hours, overtime and student loans.
NHS Wales Pay Rise 2026/27
NHS Wales Agenda for Change staff got a 3.3% pay rise from 1 April 2026, the same percentage as England. The Welsh Government confirmed it on 12 February 2026 in pay letter AfC(W) 02/2026, before the pay year started, so it was paid on time in April 2026 salaries. The lowest-paid staff got more: Bands 1 to 3 were first lifted to the £13.45 an hour Real Living Wage, a rise of up to 5.9%.
2026/27: +3.3%
Added to every pay point from Band 4 to Band 9, and to the Band 3 top point, from 1 April 2026.
Real Living Wage: £26,300
Band 1, Band 2 and the Band 3 entry point were raised to £13.45 an hour from 1 April 2026 (AfC(W) 01/2026).
Band 3 correction: £26,813
On 1 June 2026 the Band 3 entry point went up by a further 1.95% to restore its gap above Band 2.
How Much Is the 2026/27 Pay Rise for Each Band?
| Band (starting point) | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Rise per year | Rise per month | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £24,833 | £26,300 | +£1,467 | +£122 | +5.9% |
| Band 2 | £24,833 | £26,300 | +£1,467 | +£122 | +5.9% |
| Band 3 | £25,313 | £26,813 | +£1,500 | +£125 | +5.9% |
| Band 4 | £27,898 | £28,819 | +£921 | +£77 | +3.3% |
| Band 5 | £31,516 | £32,557 | +£1,041 | +£87 | +3.3% |
| Band 6 | £39,263 | £40,559 | +£1,296 | +£108 | +3.3% |
| Band 7 | £48,527 | £50,129 | +£1,602 | +£134 | +3.3% |
| Band 8a | £56,514 | £58,379 | +£1,865 | +£155 | +3.3% |
| Band 8b | £65,424 | £67,583 | +£2,159 | +£180 | +3.3% |
| Band 8c | £78,120 | £80,698 | +£2,578 | +£215 | +3.3% |
| Band 8d | £92,713 | £95,773 | +£3,060 | +£255 | +3.3% |
| Band 9 | £110,818 | £114,475 | +£3,657 | +£305 | +3.3% |
Rises are gross, before tax. Bands 1 to 3 rose by more than 3.3% because of the Real Living Wage floor and the Band 3 correction.
Is the 2026/27 Pay Rise Backdated?
It did not need to be. The award was announced in February 2026, so health boards paid the new rates from April 2026. The 2025/26 award of 3.6% was announced in May 2025 and backdated to 1 April 2025.
What Happens Next?
Unions did not accept the 3.3% award, and talks on the pay structure, focused on the lowest paid and graduate roles, were still going on in September 2026. Any agreed changes will be backdated to 1 April 2026. The 2027/28 award will follow the next NHS Pay Review Body report.
NHS Pay in Wales vs England 2026/27
NHS Wales pays more than NHS England at every band. In 2022/23 Wales made an extra 1.5% award permanent, while England paid it as a one-off, so every Welsh pay point from Band 4 upwards is about 1.5% higher. Bands 1 to 3 are further ahead because of the Real Living Wage floor. Income tax, National Insurance and NHS pension contributions work the same way in both nations, and both have a 37.5-hour week, so Welsh staff take home more at every band: £24 to £69 a month at the starting points below. Welsh staff also get one more day of annual leave.
| Band (start) | Wales salary | England salary | Difference | Wales take-home | England take-home | Take-home difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £26,300 | £25,272 | +£1,028 | £1,757/mo | £1,700/mo | +£57/mo |
| Band 3 | £26,813 | £25,760 | +£1,053 | £1,786/mo | £1,727/mo | +£59/mo |
| Band 4 | £28,819 | £28,392 | +£427 | £1,898/mo | £1,874/mo | +£24/mo |
| Band 5 | £32,557 | £32,073 | +£484 | £2,067/mo | £2,040/mo | +£27/mo |
| Band 6 | £40,559 | £39,959 | +£600 | £2,462/mo | £2,430/mo | +£32/mo |
| Band 7 | £50,129 | £49,387 | +£742 | £2,974/mo | £2,934/mo | +£40/mo |
| Band 8a | £58,379 | £57,528 | +£851 | £3,389/mo | £3,353/mo | +£36/mo |
| Band 8b | £67,583 | £66,582 | +£1,001 | £3,785/mo | £3,742/mo | +£43/mo |
| Band 8c | £80,698 | £79,504 | +£1,194 | £4,276/mo | £4,226/mo | +£50/mo |
| Band 8d | £95,773 | £94,356 | +£1,417 | £4,910/mo | £4,851/mo | +£59/mo |
| Band 9 | £114,475 | £112,782 | +£1,693 | £5,695/mo | £5,626/mo | +£69/mo |
England figures are the NHS Employers 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay points in England. Take-home for both nations uses 2026/27 income tax, National Insurance at 8% and 2%, NHS Pension Scheme tiers and a standard tax code, with no student loan.
NHS Wales Hourly Rates 2026/27
Full-time NHS Wales staff work a 37.5-hour week, the same as in England. A shorter working week has not been agreed: in April 2025 the Welsh Government, unions and employers said the obstacles to a 36-hour week were too significant to overcome in the short term. Hourly rates below are worked out the NHS way, as annual salary ÷ 52.143 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours. Bands 1 to 7 are paid time and a half for overtime, or double time on public holidays; Bands 8a to 9 are not paid overtime.
| Band | Point | Annual salary | Hourly rate | Overtime ×1.5 | Sat and nights | Sun and public holidays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Spot rate | £26,300 | £13.45 | £20.18 | £19.77 | £26.09 |
| Band 2 | Entry and top | £26,300 | £13.45 | £20.18 | £18.96 | £24.61 |
| Band 3 | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £26,813 | £13.71 | £20.57 | £18.51 | £23.17 |
| Top (2+ yrs) | £27,890 | £14.26 | £21.40 | £19.26 | £24.11 | |
| Band 4 | Entry (0–3 yrs) | £28,819 | £14.74 | £22.11 | £19.16 | £23.58 |
| Top (3+ yrs) | £31,626 | £16.17 | £24.26 | £21.03 | £25.88 | |
| Band 5 | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £32,557 | £16.65 | £24.98 | £21.65 | £26.64 |
| Intermediate (2–4 yrs) | £35,114 | £17.96 | £26.94 | £23.35 | £28.73 | |
| Top (4+ yrs) | £39,631 | £20.27 | £30.40 | £26.35 | £32.43 | |
| Band 6 | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £40,559 | £20.74 | £31.11 | £26.97 | £33.19 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £42,805 | £21.89 | £32.84 | £28.46 | £35.03 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £48,841 | £24.98 | £37.47 | £32.47 | £39.96 | |
| Band 7 | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £50,129 | £25.64 | £38.46 | £33.33 | £41.02 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £52,712 | £26.96 | £40.44 | £35.04 | £43.13 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £57,365 | £29.34 | £44.01 | £38.14 | £46.94 | |
| Band 8a | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £58,379 | £29.86 | Not paid | £38.81 | £47.77 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £61,317 | £31.36 | Not paid | £40.77 | £50.17 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £65,723 | £33.61 | Not paid | £43.70 | £53.78 | |
| Band 8b | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £67,583 | £34.56 | Not paid | £44.93 | £55.30 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £71,952 | £36.80 | Not paid | £47.84 | £58.88 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £78,530 | £40.16 | Not paid | £52.21 | £64.26 | |
| Band 8c | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £80,698 | £41.27 | Not paid | £53.65 | £66.03 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £85,611 | £43.78 | Not paid | £56.92 | £70.05 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £92,984 | £47.55 | Not paid | £61.82 | £76.09 | |
| Band 8d | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £95,773 | £48.98 | Not paid | £63.67 | £78.37 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £101,643 | £51.98 | Not paid | £67.58 | £83.17 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £110,448 | £56.48 | Not paid | £73.43 | £90.38 | |
| Band 9 | Entry (0–2 yrs) | £114,475 | £58.54 | Not paid | £76.11 | £93.67 |
| Intermediate (2–5 yrs) | £121,377 | £62.07 | Not paid | £80.70 | £99.32 | |
| Top (5+ yrs) | £131,732 | £67.37 | Not paid | £87.58 | £107.79 |
The unsocial hours columns show total hourly pay including the enhancement for Saturdays and weekday nights (8pm to 6am), and for Sundays and public holidays: Band 1 +47% and +94%, Band 2 +41% and +83%, Band 3 +35% and +69%, Bands 4 to 9 +30% and +60%.
Welsh Income Tax 2026/27 for NHS Staff
NHS staff who live in Wales pay Welsh rates of income tax. The Senedd sets a Welsh rate of 10p in each band, and for 2026/27 that gives exactly the same rates and bands as England, so a Welsh taxpayer pays the same income tax on the same salary. The only visible difference is the tax code, which starts with a C (for example C1257L). National Insurance is the same across the UK: 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. NHS pension contributions come off your pay before income tax, so they get tax relief at your highest rate.
| Tax band | Tax rate | Income 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | 0% | Up to £12,570 |
| Basic rate | 20% | £12,571 to £50,270 |
| Higher rate | 40% | £50,271 to £125,140 |
| Additional rate | 45% | Over £125,140 |
Thresholds assume the standard personal allowance, which shrinks by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000 and is gone at £125,140.
Which Tax Rate Does Each NHS Wales Band Pay?
| Band | Highest rate at start of band | Highest rate at top of band |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Basic (20%) | — |
| Band 2 | Basic (20%) | — |
| Band 3 | Basic (20%) | Basic (20%) |
| Band 4 | Basic (20%) | Basic (20%) |
| Band 5 | Basic (20%) | Basic (20%) |
| Band 6 | Basic (20%) | Basic (20%) |
| Band 7 | Basic (20%) | Higher (40%) |
| Band 8a | Higher (40%) | Higher (40%) |
| Band 8b | Higher (40%) | Higher (40%) |
| Band 8c | Higher (40%) | Higher (40%) |
| Band 8d | Higher (40%) | Higher (40%) |
| Band 9 | Higher (40%), allowance tapered | Higher (40%), allowance tapered |
The rate shown is the one charged on your last pound of taxable pay after NHS pension contributions, with no other income. Overtime and unsocial hours pay can push you into the next rate.
NHS Pension Contributions in Wales 2026/27
NHS Wales staff pay into the NHS Pension Scheme for England and Wales, run by the NHS Business Services Authority, so the contribution rates are the same as in England: six tiers from 5.2% to 12.5% of pensionable pay. The thresholds rose on 1 April 2026 in line with September 2025 inflation (3.8%). Your tier depends on your actual pensionable pay, and contributions come off before income tax, so you get tax relief on them.
| Contribution rate | Pensionable pay 2026/27 | Pensionable pay 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2% | Up to £13,259 | Up to £13,259 |
| 6.5% | £13,260 to £28,854 | £13,260 to £27,797 |
| 8.3% | £28,855 to £35,155 | £27,798 to £33,868 |
| 9.8% | £35,156 to £52,778 | £33,869 to £50,845 |
| 10.7% | £52,779 to £67,668 | £50,846 to £65,190 |
| 12.5% | £67,669 and above | £65,191 and above |
Which Pension Tier Is Each NHS Wales Pay Point In?
6.5% contribution
Full-time Band 1 to Band 4 entry.
8.3% contribution
Full-time Band 4 top to Band 5 intermediate.
9.8% contribution
Full-time Band 5 top to Band 7 intermediate.
10.7% contribution
Full-time Band 7 top to Band 8b entry.
12.5% contribution
Full-time Band 8b intermediate to Band 9 top.
4 Welsh pay points sit less than £100 below a tier threshold, so a small amount of pensionable extra pay, such as unsocial hours, can move you into the next tier: Band 4 entry (£28,819, threshold £28,854); Band 5 intermediate (£35,114, threshold £35,155); Band 7 intermediate (£52,712, threshold £52,778); Band 8b entry (£67,583, threshold £67,668).
Other NHS Wales Pay Rules for 2026/27
NHS Wales follows the UK-wide Agenda for Change agreement, but the Welsh Government and NHS Wales Employers agree some terms separately. These are the rules that most often make a Welsh payslip look different from an English one.
More annual leave
NHS Wales staff get 28 days' annual leave plus 8 public holidays when they start, 30 days after 5 years and 34 days after 10 years. That is one day more than England at every stage.
Unsocial hours in sick pay
From the 8th day of sickness absence, NHS Wales sick pay includes your regular unsocial hours payments (AfC(W) 03/2023). In England, most staff's sick pay covers basic pay and any London supplement only.
All-Wales on-call rates
Under the All-Wales On-call Agreement, the 2026/27 on-call allowance is £26.05 for a weekday or weekend and £52.08 for a public holiday, whatever your band. The sleeping-in allowance is £44.82.
Real Living Wage floor
Each April, Band 1, Band 2 and the Band 3 entry point are raised to at least the Real Living Wage. From 1 April 2026 that is £26,300 a year, or £13.45 an hour.
Band 2 to Band 3 rebanding
Healthcare support workers who carry out Band 3 clinical duties move to Band 3, backdated to 1 January 2025. Back pay is 8.75% of basic pay for staff with two or more years' service, or 1.95% for less.
Pay progression standards
Under the All Wales Pay Progression Policy you move to the next pay point only if you have had an appraisal in the last 12 months, have no formal capability or disciplinary action, and are up to date with statutory and mandatory training.
No overtime for Bands 8a to 9
As in England, Bands 8a to 9 are not paid overtime. Bands 1 to 7 get time and a half, or double time on public holidays.
No London weighting
The High Cost Area Supplements only apply in and around London, so no NHS Wales post gets one.
Paid on the Welsh scales if you are bank staff
Bank workers in Wales are paid on the same Welsh pay scales, with the Real Living Wage as a minimum, so they received the 2026/27 rise automatically.
NHS Pay Wales FAQs
Quick answers to the questions NHS Wales staff ask most about pay, tax and terms in 2026/27.
How much is the NHS Wales pay rise for 2026/27?
NHS Wales Agenda for Change staff got a 3.3% pay rise from 1 April 2026, set out in pay letter AfC(W) 02/2026 on 12 February 2026. The lowest paid got more: Band 1, Band 2 and the Band 3 entry point were lifted to the £13.45 Real Living Wage, and the Band 3 entry point was raised again to £26,813 on 1 June 2026.
How much does a Band 5 nurse earn in Wales in 2026/27?
A Band 5 nurse in NHS Wales starts on £32,557, moves to £35,114 after two years and £39,631 after four. At the starting point that is about £2,067 a month after income tax, National Insurance and a pension contribution of 8.3%.
Is NHS pay higher in Wales than in England?
Yes. Every Welsh pay point is higher: about 1.5% more from Band 4 upwards, and more than that in Bands 1 to 3. A Band 5 starts on £32,557 in Wales against £32,073 in England. Tax, National Insurance and pension work the same way in both nations, so a new Band 5 in Wales takes home about £27 a month more, and gets one more day of annual leave.
What is the Band 2 and Band 3 salary in Wales for 2026/27?
Band 2 is a single rate of £26,300 (£13.45 an hour), the Real Living Wage. Band 3 starts on £26,813 and rises to £27,890 after two years. The Band 3 entry point was raised by 1.95% on 1 June 2026 because the Living Wage uplift had left it level with Band 2.
Does NHS Wales pay the Real Living Wage?
Yes. NHS Wales pays at least the Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation. From 1 April 2026, Band 1, Band 2 and the Band 3 entry point were raised to £26,300, or £13.45 an hour, before the 3.3% award (AfC(W) 01/2026). Bank workers get the same minimum.
Is the NHS Wales 2026/27 pay rise backdated?
It did not need to be. The Welsh Government announced the 3.3% on 12 February 2026, before the pay year started, so the new rates were paid from April 2026. Talks on the pay structure for the lowest paid and graduate roles are still going on, and any changes agreed will be backdated to 1 April 2026.
What tax do NHS staff pay in Wales?
NHS staff who live in Wales pay Welsh rates of income tax. For 2026/27 these match England exactly: no tax on the first £12,570, 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above. Welsh tax codes start with C, such as C1257L. National Insurance is the same across the UK.
How much pension do NHS Wales staff pay?
NHS Wales staff are in the NHS Pension Scheme for England and Wales and pay 5.2% to 12.5% of pensionable pay across six tiers. In 2026/27 a full-time Band 5 pays 8.3% at the entry and intermediate points and 9.8% at the top. Contributions are taken before income tax, so you get tax relief on them.
Do NHS Wales staff get more annual leave than in England?
Yes. NHS Wales staff get 28 days' annual leave plus 8 public holidays when they start, 30 days after 5 years and 34 days after 10 years, one day more than in England at each stage.
What is the NHS Wales hourly rate for 2026/27?
On a 37.5-hour week, 2026/27 hourly rates run from £13.45 for Band 2 to £67.37 at the top of Band 9. A Band 3 earns £13.71 to £14.26 an hour and a Band 5 earns £16.65 to £20.27.
Can Band 8a staff get overtime in NHS Wales?
No. As in England, staff in Bands 8a to 9 are not paid overtime. Bands 1 to 7 get time and a half, or double time on public holidays. Unsocial hours enhancements are the same as in England: +41% and +83% for Band 2, +35% and +69% for Band 3, and +30% and +60% for Bands 4 to 9.
Is NHS Wales moving to a 36-hour week?
Not yet. The full-time week in NHS Wales is still 37.5 hours. In April 2025 the Welsh Government, unions and employers said the obstacles to a 36-hour week were too significant to overcome in the short term, although unions are still campaigning for it.
Do NHS Wales staff get London weighting?
No. High Cost Area Supplements only apply in and around London, so no NHS Wales post gets one.
Last updated 27 September 2026. Sources: AfC(W) 02/2026 pay award; AfC(W) 02/2026 Band 3 correction; AfC(W) 01/2026 Real Living Wage; Welsh Government written statement, 12 February 2026; NHS terms and conditions handbook; NHS Pension Scheme contribution tiers; HMRC rates and thresholds 2026 to 2027; NHS Employers pay scales 2026/27 (England).
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