Knowing your hourly rate matters more than most NHS staff realise. It's the foundation for calculating overtime, enhancement pay, bank shift rates, and annual leave pay. Here are the 2026/27 standard hourly rates for every AfC band, plus how to calculate your own to the penny.
How the NHS Hourly Rate Is Calculated
Formula: Annual Salary ÷ 52 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours = Standard Hourly Rate
The 37.5 figure is the standard full-time week for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scottish staff use 37 hours (reducing to 36 from April 2026).
Example: Band 5 entry (£32,073) ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5 = £16.45/hour.
2026/27 Standard Hourly Rates — All Bands
| Band | Entry Salary | Entry Hourly | Top of Band Salary | Top Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £12.95 | £25,272 | £12.95 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | £13.21 | £27,476 | £14.09 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | £14.56 | £31,157 | £15.98 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £16.45 | £39,043 | £20.02 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £20.49 | £48,117 | £24.67 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £25.33 | £56,515 | £28.98 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £29.50 | £64,750 | £33.21 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £34.14 | £77,368 | £39.68 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | £40.77 | £91,609 | £46.98 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | £48.39 | £108,814 | £55.80 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | £57.84 | £129,783 | £66.56 |
Enhanced Hourly Rates — Nights, Weekends & Bank Holidays
| Shift Type | Multiplier | Band 5 Entry | Band 6 Entry | Band 7 Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard weekday | ×1.00 | £16.45 | £20.49 | £25.33 |
| Weekday night / Saturday (Bands 4–9) | ×1.30 | £21.39 | £26.64 | £32.93 |
| Sunday / Bank Holiday (Bands 4–9) | ×1.60 | £26.32 | £32.78 | £40.53 |
| Overtime weekday (×1.5) | ×1.50 | £24.68 | £30.74 | £38.00 |
| Overtime Sunday (×2.0) | ×2.00 | £32.90 | £40.98 | £50.66 |
ℹ️All AfC Bands Use the Same Enhancement Rates — Since the 2018 AfC framework agreement, all bands (2–9) receive the same unsocial hours enhancements: +30% for weekday nights and Saturdays, and +60% for Sundays and bank holidays.
Scotland Hourly Rates — The 36-Hour Week Effect
From April 2026, Scottish NHS staff work a 36-hour week. This changes the hourly rate calculation:
Scotland formula: Annual Salary ÷ 52 ÷ 36 = Scottish Hourly Rate
A Scottish Band 5 nurse earning £31,765 (2025/26): £31,765 ÷ 52 ÷ 36 = £16.97/hour — higher than England's £16.45 despite a lower annual salary. This affects overtime calculations, bank shift rates, and annual leave pay.
London HCAS and Overtime — Important Rule
HCAS adds to your annual salary, raising your effective hourly rate. However, HCAS is excluded from overtime and enhancement calculations. Your overtime and unsocial hours pay is always calculated on basic pay only — the HCAS portion is ignored. This is a common payslip query.
Example: A Band 5 nurse in Inner London earns £32,073 basic + £6,415 HCAS = £38,488 total. But overtime is calculated on the £16.45 basic hourly rate, not the £19.75 effective rate including HCAS.
Bank Shift Rates — How They Compare
NHS Trust staff banks typically offer shifts at standard hourly rates plus enhancements. Some Trusts offer enhanced bank rates (e.g., "time + 30% for weekday bank shifts") to reduce agency dependency.
Typical bank rates at Band 5:
• Weekday bank shift: £16.45–£21.39/hour
• Weekend bank shift: £24.68–£32.90/hour
• Night bank shift: £21.39–£26.32/hour
Agency rates for equivalent shifts are typically higher (£25–£45/hour at Band 5) but agency work is usually NOT pensionable — a significant long-term cost.
Annual Leave Pay and Your Hourly Rate
Your annual leave must be paid at your average hourly rate — including regular enhancements. Under Working Time Regulations, if you regularly work nights or weekends, your holiday pay should reflect your average earnings, not just your basic rate.
Many NHS staff are underpaid on holiday pay — if you regularly work unsocial hours and your holiday pay only shows your basic rate, raise this with payroll. The Flowers vs East of England Ambulance Trust ruling established that regular overtime must be included in holiday pay calculations.
How to Verify Your Hourly Rate
To check your hourly rate is correct on your payslip:
1. Find your annual basic salary on your payslip or ESR
2. Divide by 52 (weeks)
3. Divide by 37.5 (standard hours) — or 36 for Scotland from April 2026
4. This should match your basic hourly rate
5. For part-time staff: your hourly rate is the same as full-time; it's your hours that differ
Common errors: incorrect spine point applied, HCAS incorrectly included in enhancement calculations, or incorrect working week used for part-time staff.