Band 8c covers senior leadership and specialist roles. At this level, both marginal tax exposure and higher NHS pension contribution rates significantly influence take-home pay.
This page explains Band 8c take-home mechanics and shows the updated 2026/27 salary points. For the broader pay award announcement, see: NHS pay update 2026/27.
- Take-home pay (England/Wales/NI): Band 8c Take-Home Calculator
- Resident in Scotland? Band 8c Scotland Calculator
- Hourly rate from annual salary: Convert NHS Salary to Hourly
1. Band 8c salary and hourly rate (2026/27)
| Band 8c position | Gross annual salary (2026/27) | Hourly rate (gross) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | £79,504 | *£40.66 |
| Intermediate | £84,346 | *£43.14 |
| Top of band | £91,609 | *£46.85 |
*Gross hourly rate orientation. For personalised calculations, use the hourly converter above.
2. 2026/27 vs 2025/26 (Band 8c comparison)
| Band 8c position | Gross 2025/26 | Gross 2026/27 | Annual increase | Hourly 2025/26 | Hourly 2026/27 | Hourly increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | £76,965 | £79,504 | +£2,539 | £39.36 | £40.66 | +£1.30 |
| Intermediate | £81,652 | £84,346 | +£2,694 | £41.76 | £43.14 | +£1.38 |
| Top of band | £88,682 | £91,609 | +£2,927 | £45.35 | £46.85 | +£1.50 |
3. Pension and deductions at Band 8c
NHS pension at 12.5%
For many Band 8c salaries, pension contributions are around 12.5%. This significantly affects take-home pay because deductions apply to pensionable earnings before tax is calculated.
4. Estimated Band 8c take-home pay (monthly)
- Entry level: ~£4,300 – £4,600 per month
- Intermediate: ~£4,600 – £4,900 per month
- Top of band: ~£4,900 – £5,200 per month
These are broad illustrations only. For an exact estimate including pension, tax code and student loans, use: the Band 8c take-home calculator.