Band 8a is commonly searched because it sits in a range where deductions can become more noticeable. Even when gross pay rises in line with the pay award, your take-home pay can move by less because Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pension contributions all apply to the increase.
This page focuses on Band 8a take-home mechanics and the 2026/27 salary points. For the pay award announcement context, use: NHS pay update 2026/27.
- Take-home pay (England/Wales/NI): Band 8a Take-Home Calculator
- Resident in Scotland? Band 8a Scotland Calculator
- Hourly rate from annual salary: Convert NHS Salary to Hourly
- Annual salary from hourly rate: Convert NHS Hourly to Salary
- Hourly rate from monthly pay: Convert NHS Monthly Pay to Hourly
Prefer the all-band calculator? Use: NHS Take-Home Pay Calculator
On this page
- 1. Band 8a salary and hourly rate (2026/27)
- 2. Estimated Band 8a take-home pay (monthly)
- 3. 2026/27 vs 2025/26 (Band 8a pay rise impact)
- 4. Band 8a and NHS pension: 10.7% bracket note
- 5. Why your net increase can be smaller than expected
- 6. London weighting (HCAS) for Band 8a
- 7. Scotland vs England take-home differences
- 8. FAQs
1. Band 8a salary and hourly rate (2026/27)
Band 8a pay varies by pay point. Many users search Band 8a take-home pay to translate annual pay into a monthly take-home estimate and to understand their gross hourly rate.
| Band 8a position | Gross annual salary (2026/27) | Hourly rate (gross) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | £57,528 | *£29.42 |
| Intermediate | £60,417 | *£30.90 |
| Top of band | £64,750 | *£33.11 |
*Gross hourly rate orientation. For a precise conversion based on your contracted hours, use: NHS Salary to Hourly.
Salary points are shown for quick reference. For personalised take-home pay (after deductions), use the Band 8a take-home calculator.
2. Estimated Band 8a take-home pay (monthly)
Band 8a take-home pay is driven by the same core deductions as other bands, but at this level higher pension percentages and higher marginal tax exposure are more common.
Typical Band 8a monthly take-home ranges
These ranges are deliberately broad because pension tiers, tax codes, student loans and additional pay can change the result.
- Entry level: ~£3,300 – £3,600 per month
- Intermediate: ~£3,450 – £3,750 per month
- Top of band: ~£3,650 – £3,950 per month
For an accurate estimate based on your situation, use: Band 8a Take-Home Calculator.
3. 2026/27 vs 2025/26 (Band 8a pay rise impact)
The table below shows a simple gross comparison year-on-year. Take-home changes can differ once deductions are applied.
| Band 8a position | Gross annual salary 2025/26 | Gross annual salary 2026/27 | Annual increase | Hourly rate 2025/26 (gross) | Hourly rate 2026/27 (gross) | Hourly increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | £55,690 | £57,528 | +£1,838 | £28.48 | £29.42 | +£0.94 |
| Intermediate | £58,487 | £60,417 | +£1,930 | £29.91 | £30.90 | +£0.99 |
| Top of band | £62,682 | £64,750 | +£2,068 | £32.06 | £33.11 | +£1.05 |
Take-home pay does not usually increase in the same proportion as gross pay because of deductions and thresholds. For a personalised estimate, use the Band 8a take-home calculator.
4. Band 8a and NHS pension: 10.7% bracket note
Band 8a sits in a range where NHS pension contributions are commonly higher than Bands 5 to 7. Based on the pensionable pay brackets you provided, many Band 8a salaries fall into a pension contribution rate of 10.7% for whole-time equivalent pensionable pay between £50,846 and £65,190.
Why this matters for take-home pay
If your pension percentage is higher, you keep less of the pay rise in your monthly take-home. If your salary moves across a pension threshold, the pension deduction can change noticeably between March and April.
5. Why your net increase can be smaller than expected
The headline uplift applies to gross pay. Your take-home can rise by less than the headline percentage because deductions and thresholds affect the “in-pocket” result.
Common reasons for Band 8a
- Higher pension contributions: Band 8a often sits in higher pension brackets, such as 10.7%.
- Higher marginal tax exposure: additional pay can be taxed at higher marginal rates.
- Student loans: if applicable, repayments can reduce the visible uplift further.
6. London weighting (HCAS) for Band 8a
If you receive HCAS (London weighting), it increases gross pay but remains subject to deductions. If you are near an HCAS cap, your total uplift can be lower than expected even if basic pay rises.
7. Scotland vs England take-home differences
Scotland uses different income tax bands and rates, so the same Band 8a gross salary can produce a different take-home outcome depending on where you pay income tax.
If you pay Scottish income tax, use the Scotland version: Band 8a Scotland Calculator.
Calculate your exact Band 8a take-home pay
Get a personalised estimate based on pension contributions, student loans and location.
8. FAQs
How much does Band 8a take home per month?
Many Band 8a staff take home roughly £3,300 to £3,900 per month depending on pay point and deductions. Use the Band 8a calculator for a tailored estimate.
What is the Band 8a hourly rate?
In 2026/27, Band 8a gross hourly rates are around £29.42 to £33.11 depending on pay point. Convert your pay point precisely with NHS Salary to Hourly.
Why does my Band 8a take-home increase look smaller than the gross increase?
Because the pay award increases gross pay, but the extra pay is reduced by Income Tax, NI, and NHS pension contributions. Band 8a commonly has higher pension contributions (often 10.7%) and can have more income exposed to higher marginal tax rates.