Understanding Nursing Salary UK: Hourly Rates and Annual Pay

When researching a nursing salary UK, it’s important to understand how the NHS pay system works, especially the relationship between hourly rates and annual salaries. Nurses in the UK are employed under the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay structure, which sets out clear bands and pay points. The latest figures for 2026/27, published by NHS Employers, show that a Band 5 entry-level nurse earns an annual salary of £32,073, with an official hourly rate of £16.40 in England. This article explains how to convert between hourly and annual pay, the impact of part-time hours, and additional payments such as London weighting and overtime.

NHS Pay Bands for Nurses (2026/27)

Nursing roles in the NHS are typically placed in Bands 5, 6, and 7, with Band 5 for newly qualified nurses and Band 6 for specialist or senior nurses. The 2026/27 pay scales, effective from 1 April 2026, set the following annual salaries for England (37.5-hour week):

• Band 5 entry: £32,073 (hourly £16.40)
• Band 5 top: £39,043
• Band 6 entry: £39,959 (hourly £20.44)
• Band 6 top: £48,117
• Band 7 entry: £49,387
• Band 7 top: £56,515

These rates are the base pay before any additions such as the High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) or unsocial hours enhancements. Scotland uses a 36-hour week, so its hourly rates are slightly higher for the same annual salary.

Hourly to Annual Conversion: The 37.5-Hour Week Assumption

For most nursing roles in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the standard full-time week is 37.5 hours. A quick rule of thumb to convert an hourly rate to an annual salary is: hourly rate × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks. For example, £16.40 × 37.5 × 52 = £31,980, which is close to the official £32,073. The small difference arises because the NHS uses a more precise calculation: 365 days ÷ 7 × 37.5 = 1,955.36 annual hours. Dividing £32,073 by 1,955.36 gives exactly £16.40. So while the rule of thumb is useful, the official published rate may differ by a few pence.

If you want to convert your own hourly rate to an annual figure, use our Hourly to Salary calculator, which allows you to adjust hours per week and weeks per year.

Part-Time Nursing Pay: Pro Rata Calculations

Many nurses work part-time, and their salary is calculated pro rata to the full-time equivalent. The hourly rate remains the same as for full-time colleagues at the same band and pay point. For instance, a Band 5 nurse working 30 hours per week would earn:

• Annual salary: £32,073 × (30 ÷ 37.5) = £25,658.40
• Hourly rate: still £16.40

Part-time nurses are entitled to the same enhancements (unsocial hours, overtime) but overtime rates only apply after 37.5 hours in a week for full-time staff. Part-time staff receive their basic rate for extra hours up to 37.5, and overtime rate (×1.5) for hours beyond that. This distinction is important when planning shifts.

For more on how part-time pay compares across roles, see our salary articles on pro rata calculations.

London Weighting and High Cost Area Supplement

Nurses working in and around London receive an additional pensionable payment called the High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). For 2026/27, the rates are:

• Inner London: 20% of basic salary, minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746
• Outer London: 15%, minimum £4,870, maximum £6,137
• Fringe: 5%, minimum £1,346, maximum £2,270

HCAS is applied to the base salary and counts towards pension contributions. For a Band 5 nurse at the top of the band (£39,043) in Inner London, the supplement would be 20% = £7,808.60, but capped at £8,746, so the actual supplement is £7,808.60. This brings total pensionable pay to £46,851.60. The supplement is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance.

Overtime and Unsocial Hours Enhancements

Nurses in Bands 1–7 are eligible for overtime pay at ×1.5 the basic hourly rate for extra hours worked beyond the contracted week. Double time (×2.0) applies on public holidays. Unsocial hours enhancements are paid for shifts worked within contracted hours that fall outside the standard daytime window (typically 7am–7pm). The rates are:

• Nights (8pm–6am) and Saturdays: 30% enhancement (×1.30)
• Sundays and bank holidays: 60% enhancement (×1.60)

These enhancements are pensionable and can significantly increase take-home pay. However, under the Flowers vs East of England Ambulance Trust ruling, holiday pay for nurses who regularly work unsocial hours must reflect average earnings including enhancements, not just the basic rate. This means your holiday pay should be higher if you regularly work nights or weekends.

Average Nursing Earnings in the NHS

According to NHS Staff Earnings Estimates for June 2026, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent (FTE) across all NHS Trusts and CCGs in England was £44,457. Mean annual earnings per person (including non-basic pay such as overtime and enhancements) were £45,163. For July 2026, the figures were £44,744 (basic pay per FTE) and £45,451 (earnings per person). These averages cover all staff groups, not just nurses, but give a useful benchmark for nursing salary UK.

Key Takeaways

• The standard full-time week for nurses in England is 37.5 hours; use this for hourly-to-annual conversions.
• Part-time nurses are paid pro rata, with the same hourly rate as full-time.
• London weighting (HCAS) adds 5–20% of base salary, subject to minimum and maximum caps.
• Overtime and unsocial hours enhancements are separate; overtime is ×1.5, unsocial hours are ×1.30 or ×1.60.
• Holiday pay must include average enhancements for regular unsocial workers.
• Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the most accurate figures.

For further reading on how different hourly rates translate to annual salaries, visit our Hourly to Salary page, which includes a calculator and guides for various professions.