Introduction

Midwifery salary in the UK is primarily determined by the NHS Agenda for Change pay bands, which vary by seniority and region. For 2026/27, new pay scales came into effect on 1 April, with increases reflecting the government's pay award. This article breaks down the hourly and annual rates for midwives across bands 5, 6 and 7, explains how London weighting and unsocial hours affect earnings, and shows how to convert between hourly and annual figures.

NHS Pay Bands for Midwives

Midwives in England are employed under the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service, with pay set by band and pay point. The three main bands for midwifery are Band 5 (newly qualified), Band 6 (experienced midwife) and Band 7 (specialist or team leader). Each band has multiple pay points, with progression usually based on experience.

Band 5 (Newly Qualified)

A newly qualified midwife starts on Band 5. The entry salary for 2026/27 is £32,073 per year. After two years, this rises to £34,592, and the top of Band 5 is £39,043. The hourly rate at the top point is £19.97, based on a 37.5-hour week. Take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance and the NHS pension contribution is around £24,483 at entry and £28,570 at the top, according to NHS Pay Bands.

Band 6 (Experienced Midwife)

Midwives who have completed preceptorship or taken on additional responsibilities move to Band 6. The salary range is £39,959 to £48,117. The hourly rate at the top is £24.61. Take-home pay ranges from £29,157 to £34,391 annually. Many midwives remain on Band 6 for several years, with opportunities to progress through pay points.

Band 7 (Specialist Midwife)

Specialist midwives, such as those in consultant-led units, public health roles or team leadership, are on Band 7. The salary range is £49,387 to £56,515, with an hourly rate at the top of £28.90. Take-home pay is between £35,206 and £39,708. These roles often require additional qualifications or experience.

Regional Differences: London Weighting and HCAS

Midwives working at NHS trusts in London receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) on top of their basic salary. For 2026/27, inner London trusts pay 20% of basic salary, subject to a minimum of £5,794 and a maximum of £8,746. Outer London receives 15%, and the fringe zone (around London) receives 5%. This supplement is pensionable and increases both gross and take-home pay. Midwives in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not receive a London weighting equivalent, though they may have their own pay structures.

Hourly to Annual Conversion

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary for NHS midwives, use the formula: annual ≈ hourly × 37.5 hours/week × 52 weeks. For example, a Band 6 hourly rate of £24.61 gives £24.61 × 37.5 × 52 = £48,117, matching the top of Band 6. Conversely, to find the hourly rate from an annual salary, divide by 52 and then by 37.5. This standard assumption applies to full-time contracts. Part-time midwives should use their contracted hours instead of 37.5. Use our hourly calculator to convert your own rate.

Take-Home Pay After Deductions

Take-home pay for midwives is lower than the gross salary due to income tax, employee National Insurance and the NHS pension contribution. For 2026/27, the personal allowance is £12,570, the basic income tax rate is 20%, and employee NI is 8% on earnings above £12,570. The NHS pension contribution is tiered based on pensionable pay. For a Band 5 midwife at entry (£32,073), take-home is about £24,483, or 76% of gross. At the top of Band 7 (£56,515), take-home is around £39,708, or 70% of gross. These figures exclude London weighting, unsocial hours and student loan repayments. For a detailed breakdown, see our salary articles.

Part-Time and Pro Rata Pay

Midwives who work part-time receive a pro rata salary based on their contracted hours relative to 37.5. For example, a Band 5 midwife working 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE) would earn £25,658 at entry and £31,234 at the top. The hourly rate remains the same as the full-time equivalent, but the annual salary is reduced proportionally. This is important for job seekers comparing roles with different hours.

Unsocial Hours and Overtime

NHS midwives often work shifts that attract unsocial hours payments. Standard hours on weekdays after 8pm and before 6am, and all hours on Saturdays, are paid at time plus 30%. Sundays and public holidays attract time plus 60%. These enhancements are based on basic pay, not HCAS. Overtime for bands 1-7 is paid at time-and-a-half for hours above 37.5 per week, and double time on public holidays. Part-time staff receive plain-time additional hours until they exceed 37.5. Unsocial hours and overtime can significantly increase total earnings, but they are not guaranteed and vary by rota.

Conclusion

Midwifery salary in the UK varies by band, region and additional payments. Newly qualified midwives start at around £32,073, with progression to over £56,000 for specialist roles. London weighting adds up to 20% for inner London trusts. Understanding the conversion between hourly and annual pay, as well as the impact of deductions and enhancements, helps midwives and job seekers make informed career decisions. For more data on UK salary benchmarks, explore our salary data and topics pages.