Profession · 2026/27
NHS Band 8b Salary 2026/27: Directorate Manager Pay
Band 8b covers directorate-level managers, senior consultant AHPs and assistant directors. 2026/27 AfC pay £66,582-£77,368 across entry, mid (year 2) and top (year 5).
Typical pay & take-home
- Median gross
- £71,975
- Typical range
- £66,582–£77,368
- Take-home at median
- £52,303
England, no pension applied — use the salary calculator for your scheme.
At the median for this profession, you earn about 92% above the UK full-time median (£37,430), placing you in the top 11% of UK earners.
What influences nhs band 8b directorate manager pay
Band 8b sits fully inside the 40% higher-rate band. The whole salary above £50,270 is taxed at 42% marginal (40% IT + 2% NI), so the gross-to-net delta widens noticeably compared to Band 8a.
NHS pension contribution at Band 8b is 12.5% (net pay arrangement, full IT relief at 40%). Every Band 8b is comfortably above the £60,000 HICBC threshold.
Salary sacrifice into AVC, cycle-to-work or EV schemes is especially valuable here - each sacrificed pound saves 42% in IT plus NI.
Career progression
- Band 8b entry: £66,582 (2026/27 England).
- Mid-spine (year 2): £71,975.
- Band 8b top (year 5): £77,368.
- Band 8c: £79,504 entry. Band 8d: £94,356 entry. Band 9: £112,782 entry.
Frequently asked questions
- What is take-home at the top of Band 8b?
- On £77,368 gross with 12.5% NHS pension, take-home is approximately £47,500-£48,500 a year after Income Tax (40% on the band above £50,270), NI, and pension. Salary sacrifice can shift several thousand more into pension at the 42% marginal rate.
- Does the HICBC apply at Band 8b?
- Yes - every Band 8b earns above the £60,000 High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold. Mid-Band 8b at ~£72,000 pays HICBC of 1% per £200 over £60,000, which fully recovers the Child Benefit at adjusted net income above £80,000.