Salary of Nurses in the UK

Becoming a registered nurse in the UK comes with many benefits, one of which is the opportunity to get a well-paid job.

The salary of nurses in the UK is very high and lucrative compared to the salary of nurses in different countries, but before you can be employed as a nurse, you must have gotten a nursing license from the state you want to practice.

As a foreign registered nurse in the UK, you can work in various healthcare sectors such as hospitals, churches, schools, government agencies, and private organizations.

The salary of nurses in the United Kingdom is primarily determined by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system, which ensures fair, standardized pay across the entire National Health Service (NHS).

Nurses are paid based on their placement on different pay bands based on their experience, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Newly qualified nurses usually start at Band 5 and receive the least payment. The salary of Nurses increases as they move from one band to another based on experience and skill development.

To find out the salary structure of nurses according to bands, make sure you read this content till the end.

Table of Contents

The following are the salary structure of Nurses in the UK and their potential earnings according to the National Health Service (NHS).

NHS Nurse Starting Salary

Graduate NHS nurses start on a Band 5 Nurse salary which begins at £29,969 and grows to £36,483 with time accordingto experience.

Those nurses in this Band can expect the following salary as they gain more experience

0-1 years experience – £29,969
1-2 years experience – £29,969
2-3 years experience – £32,324
3-4 years experience – £32,324
4-5 years experience – £36,483
5-6 years experience – £36,483
6-7 years experience – £36,483
7+ years’ experience – £36,483

NHS Band 6 Nurse Salary

Nurses at this level work as nurse specialists or in senior roles and are expected to earn between £37,339 and £44,962.

Nurses in this Band can expect the following salary as they gain more experience

0-1 years experience – £37,339
1-2 years experience – £37,339
2-3 years experience – £39,404
3-4 years experience – £39,404
4-5 years experience – £39,404
5-6 years experience – £44,962
6-7 years experience – £44,962
7-8 years experience – £44,962
8+ years’ experience – £44,962

NHS Band 7 Nurses Salary

This Band is specifically for nurse practitioners or advanced nurses and typically requires you to have a master’s degree for entry.

In Band 7, nurses can expect to earn between £46,148 to £52,809 per year.

More specifically, a Band 7 nurse’s income will be:

0-1 years experience – £46,148
1-2 years experience – £46,148
2-3 years experience – £48,526
3-4 years experience – £48,526
4-5 years experience – £48,526
5-6 years experience – £52,809
6-7 years experience – £52,809
7-8 years experience – £52,809
8+ years’ experience – £52,809

NHS Band 8 Nurses Salary

This Band is for those in a head of nursing team role such as a chief nurse or a modern Matron.

Band 8 has sub-bands a, b, c, and d with the nurse’s yearly income increasing through each. As a Band 8 nurse, you can expect to earn between £53,754 and £101,677 per year.

More specifically, nurses in Band 8 can receive

Nurse Band 8a

0-1 years experience – £53,754
1-2 years experience – £53,754
2-3 years experience – £56,454
3-4 years experience – £56,454
4-5 years experience – £56,454
5+ years’ experience – £60,503

Nurse Band 8b

0-1 years experience – £62,215
1-2 years experience – £62,215
2-3 years experience – £66,247
3-4 years experience – £66,247
4-5 years experience – £66,247
5+ years’ experience – £72,294

Nurse Band 8c

0-1 years experience – £74,290
1-2 years experience – £74,290
2-3 years experience – £78,814
3-4 years experience – £78,814
4-5 years experience – £78,814
5+ years’ experience – £85,601

Nurse Band 8d

0-1 years experience – £88,167
1-2 years experience – £88,167
2-3 years experience – £93,571
3-4 years experience – £93,571
4-5 years experience – £93,571
5+ years’ experience – £101,677

NHS Band 9 Nurse Salary

The band is the highest-paid Nursing Band in the UK and it pays the annual income of nurses in consultant-level roles.

The expected earnings is between £105,385 and £121,271 each year

More specifically, consultant nurses can earn:

0-1 years experience – £105,385
1-2 years experience – £105,385
2-3 years experience – £111,739
3-4 years experience – £111,739
4-5 years experience – £111,739
5+ years’ experience – £121,271

FAQs

Is the UK better than the US for Nurses?

Both countries pay nurses very well but nurses get paid more in the US than in the UK.

Which place in the UK is the best for Nurses to Work?

One of the best places you can work as a nurse in the UK is in the southwest part of England according to the new research made by the NHS to mark the international nurses day.

How much are Nurses paid in the UK in Naira?

Nurses in the UK earn an average salary between £25,000 ( NGN49,799,750) to £35,000 (NGN 69,719,650) per year.

Final Thought

Nurses in the UK earn competitive salaries with those in other professions, the kind of nursing you do will affect your salary. Nurses working in intensive care units or operating rooms may earn more than those in other areas.

The salary you will receive as a nurse in the UK is determined by the combination of various factors such as education, experience, location, and the type of nursing you do. You tend to receive higher payment when you move from one level to another in each Salary Band.

These benefits, combined with the satisfaction of directly contributing to patient care within a respected healthcare system, make being an NHS nurse a truly fulfilling career choice.

While specific salaries can vary, some of the highest-paid nursing specialties in the UK include:

Nurse anesthetists
Clinical nurse specialists
Neonatal intensive care nurses (NICU nurses)
Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)

These roles often require additional qualifications and experience but offer competitive compensation.

Salary of Nurses in the UK