What is the take-home pay for an NHS Band 4 in 2026/27?

Band 4 has two published points rather than a middle one. At the £28,392 entry point, take-home is about £22,485 a year, or £1,874 a month, after Income Tax, National Insurance and the 6.5% NHS pension contribution. At the £31,157 top point it is about £23,884, or £1,990 a month, where the contribution rate has stepped up to 8.3% on the whole of pensionable pay. A London supplement and unsocial hours enhancements are paid on top of both.

Is Nursing Associate (Band 4) a real route to registered nurse?

Yes - nursing associates can go on to train as registered nurses, which moves them onto Band 5. How long that takes depends on the course and on the credit given for prior learning, and whether it is funded depends on the employer.

NHS Band 4 Salary 2026/27: Assistant Practitioner Take-home

Band 4 covers Assistant Practitioners and Nursing Associates. 2026/27 AfC pay is £28,392 at entry and £31,157 at the top point, reached after 3 years in the band.

Typical pay & take-home

Agenda for Change Band 4 top point: £31,157
The two points of Band 4, entry to top: £28,392–£31,157
Take-home on that salary: £23,884 England, after the 8.3% NHS pension contribution, Income Tax and NI.

At £31,157, you earn 20% below the UK full-time median (£39,039), placing you between the 25th percentile (£29,262) and the 50th percentile (£39,039) of UK full-time earnings.

See exact take-home for £31,157 →

What influences nhs band 4 assistant practitioner pay

Band 4 posts include the nursing associate role, which is registered with the NMC. Like every AfC band, the grade comes from the job evaluation of the post. Progression is £28,392 at entry, then £31,157 at the top after 3 years in grade.

The NHS pension rate depends on the point, and it is charged on the whole of pensionable pay: the £28,392 entry point is in the 6.5% tier, which runs to £28,854, and the £31,157 top point is in the 8.3% tier.

Band 5, the grade for registered nurses and other qualified practitioners, starts at £32,073.

Career progression

Band 4 entry: £28,392 (post-qualification).
Band 4 top (after 3 years): £31,157.
Band 5 entry (RN / fully qualified practitioner): £32,073.
Band 6 entry (specialist): £39,959.

Frequently asked questions

What is the take-home pay for an NHS Band 4 in 2026/27?: Band 4 has two published points rather than a middle one. At the £28,392 entry point, take-home is about £22,485 a year, or £1,874 a month, after Income Tax, National Insurance and the 6.5% NHS pension contribution. At the £31,157 top point it is about £23,884, or £1,990 a month, where the contribution rate has stepped up to 8.3% on the whole of pensionable pay. A London supplement and unsocial hours enhancements are paid on top of both.
Is Nursing Associate (Band 4) a real route to registered nurse?: Yes - nursing associates can go on to train as registered nurses, which moves them onto Band 5. How long that takes depends on the course and on the credit given for prior learning, and whether it is funded depends on the employer.

All UK professions →

Sources

NHS Employers - Agenda for Change pay scales 2026/27
NHS Employers - NHS Pension Scheme member contribution rates
ONS - ASHE 2025 Table 14.7a, annual pay by SOC 2020 occupation (occupational pay)
ONS — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 (UK full-time median and percentiles)
HMRC — Rates and thresholds 2026/27
Our full methodology & calculation sources →