NHS Band 5 covers Newly Qualified Nurse / Allied Health Professional roles. Here is exactly what you take home at each pay point within the band after income tax and National Insurance in 2026/27.
For context on how Band 5 compares across the NHS pay structure, see our NHS Salary Band Guides.
NHS Band 5 Take Home Pay Summary
| Pay point | Gross salary | Income tax | NI | Take home (before pension) | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | £32,073 | −£3,901 | −£1,560 | £26,612 | £2,218 | £512 |
| Maximum | £39,043 | −£5,295 | −£2,118 | £31,630 | £2,636 | £608 |
Figures assume a standard 1257L tax code, England or Wales residency (Scottish taxpayers see below), no student loan deductions, and no pension contributions reducing taxable income. See the pension section below for take-home after the NHS pension deduction.
Income Tax Breakdown at Band 5 Minimum (£32,073)
| Band | Taxable amount | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 | 0% | £0 |
| Basic rate | £19,503 | 20% | £3,901 |
| Total income tax | £3,901 |
National Insurance at Band 5 Minimum
| Earnings | Rate | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 | 0% | £0 |
| £12,571–£32,073 | 8% | £1,560 |
| Total employee NI | £1,560 |
Monthly Take Home at Band 5 — Breakdown
| Component | Monthly (min pay) | Monthly (max pay) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | £2,673 | £3,254 |
| Income tax | −£325 | −£441 |
| Employee NI | −£130 | −£177 |
| Net pay (before pension) | £2,218 | £2,636 |
NHS Pension Impact on Band 5 Take Home
NHS pension contributions are deducted before income tax, giving basic rate relief at source. Band 5 minimum pay (£32,073) falls in the 8.3% tier (£28,855–£35,155); the top of the band (£39,043) falls in the 9.8% tier (£35,156–£52,778).
| Pay point | Gross salary | Pension | Income tax | NI | Take home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (8.3%) | £32,073 | −£2,662 | −£3,368 | −£1,560 | £24,483 | £2,040 |
| Maximum (9.8%) | £39,043 | −£3,826 | −£4,529 | −£2,118 | £28,570 | £2,381 |
The NHS pension is a defined benefit scheme. The employer contributes an additional 23.7% of pensionable pay to the scheme (£7,601–£9,251/year at Band 5), on top of the amounts shown above.
Band 5 Take Home With Student Loan
Many Band 5 staff have student loans. Deductions are calculated on gross pay above the relevant 2026/27 repayment threshold:
| Student loan plan | 2026/27 threshold | Annual deduction at min pay | Take home after SL (before pension) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | £26,900 | £466 | £26,146 |
| Plan 2 | £29,385 | £242 | £26,370 |
| Plan 4 (Scotland) | £33,795 | £0 | £26,612 |
| Plan 5 | £25,000 | £637 | £25,975 |
| Postgraduate | £21,000 | £664 | £25,948 |
Scottish NHS Band 5 Take Home
Scottish NHS staff pay Scottish Income Tax, which has more bands than the rest of the UK. At Band 5 minimum pay, the relevant Scottish bands are the Starter rate (19%, £12,571–£16,537), Basic rate (20%, £16,538–£29,526), and a small portion in the Intermediate rate (21%, above £29,527) — Band 5 does not reach the Scottish Higher rate (42%, above £43,663).
| England | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual take home (before pension, min pay) | £26,612 | Similar, with a small offsetting effect from the 19% starter and 21% intermediate bands |
| Key difference | Flat 20% basic rate above the personal allowance | Starter (19%), Basic (20%), Intermediate (21%) bands apply progressively |
Use our Scottish take-home pay guides for an exact figure.