What is take-home for a Band 6 dietitian?

On £44,038 (mid Band 6) with the 9.8% NHS pension contribution, take-home is approximately £31,700 a year (about £2,640 a month) after 20% Income Tax on pay above £12,570, 8% National Insurance and pension. This matches other Band 6 allied health roles such as physiotherapist and occupational therapist on base pay.

When does a dietitian start paying 40% tax?

On earnings above £50,270. NHS Band 5 and Band 6 dietitians (£32,073 to £48,117) stay entirely at the 20% basic rate. A Band 7 dietitian whose pay passes £50,270 pays 40% Income Tax and 2% National Insurance on the portion above it. Consultant Band 8 posts sit well into the higher-rate band.

Is a dietitian the same as a nutritionist?

No. "Dietitian" is a title protected by law and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, so dietitians can work clinically in the NHS and diagnose and treat diet-related conditions. "Nutritionist" is not legally protected in the same way, and nutritionists typically work in wellbeing, industry or self-employed advisory roles rather than clinical NHS posts.

Dietitian Salary 2026/27: What You Take Home

Dietitians are HCPC-registered clinical professionals who sit on NHS Agenda for Change Band 5-7 (£32,073 to £56,515 in 2026/27), with advanced and consultant roles at Band 8a and above. Band 5-6 pay stays at basic rate; Band 7 crosses the £50,270 higher-rate threshold.

Typical pay & take-home

Median gross: £44,038
Typical range: £32,073–£56,515
Take-home at median: £35,227

At the median for this profession, you earn about 13% above the UK full-time median (£39,039), placing you in the top 42% of UK earners.

See exact take-home for £44,038 →

What influences dietitian pay

Dietitians (distinct from nutritionists - only "dietitian" is a legally protected, HCPC-registered title) qualify with a BSc or MSc and work across acute wards, community, mental health and specialist services. NHS pay follows Agenda for Change: Band 5 entry (£32,073) for a newly qualified dietitian, progressing to Band 6 specialist (£39,959 to £48,117) and Band 7 advanced/team-lead (£49,387 to £56,515 in 2026/27).

ONS ASHE 2025 codes dietitians within "Other health professionals not elsewhere classified" (SOC 2020 code 2259, per the gov.uk Skilled Worker occupation list), a broad group with a full-time median of £42,079 - close to the middle of the NHS Band 6 range. High-cost-area supplements (London), consultant dietitian posts (Band 8a to 8c, £57,528 to £91,609) and industry/private roles in food, pharma and freelance clinical work push the top end higher.

Tax band depends on grade. A Band 5-6 dietitian (£32,073 to £48,117) is a 20% basic-rate taxpayer with 8% NI up to £50,270. A Band 7 dietitian above £50,270 pays 40% Income Tax and 2% NI on the portion over the threshold. NHS pension contributions in 2026/27 are 9.8% across Band 6-7 pay up to £52,778, then 10.7% above it, deducted before Income Tax.

Career progression

Newly qualified dietitian (NHS Band 5): £32,073 to £39,043.
Specialist dietitian (NHS Band 6): £39,959 to £48,117.
Advanced / team-lead dietitian (NHS Band 7): £49,387 to £56,515.
Consultant dietitian / dietetic service lead (NHS Band 8a to 8c): £57,528 to £91,609.
Industry, freelance or private clinical dietetics: variable, often above NHS on headline pay but without the NHS pension.

Frequently asked questions

What is take-home for a Band 6 dietitian?: On £44,038 (mid Band 6) with the 9.8% NHS pension contribution, take-home is approximately £31,700 a year (about £2,640 a month) after 20% Income Tax on pay above £12,570, 8% National Insurance and pension. This matches other Band 6 allied health roles such as physiotherapist and occupational therapist on base pay.
When does a dietitian start paying 40% tax?: On earnings above £50,270. NHS Band 5 and Band 6 dietitians (£32,073 to £48,117) stay entirely at the 20% basic rate. A Band 7 dietitian whose pay passes £50,270 pays 40% Income Tax and 2% National Insurance on the portion above it. Consultant Band 8 posts sit well into the higher-rate band.
Is a dietitian the same as a nutritionist?: No. "Dietitian" is a title protected by law and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, so dietitians can work clinically in the NHS and diagnose and treat diet-related conditions. "Nutritionist" is not legally protected in the same way, and nutritionists typically work in wellbeing, industry or self-employed advisory roles rather than clinical NHS posts.

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