If you’re considering becoming a nurse in the UK, you’ve probably got one big question on your mind: how much will I earn? With the ongoing nursing shortage, demand for skilled professionals is high, but the NHS pay structure can feel a little complicated at first glance.
At Remitly, we understand how important it is to have clarity when you’re starting a new chapter abroad. Your salary means security, career planning, and sometimes being able to send money home to support loved ones. Our guide takes you through everything you need to know about nursing salaries in the UK in 2025, including starting pay, specialist roles, and regional differences.
Understanding NHS pay bands
Most nurses in the UK are paid through the Agenda for Change (AfC) system. This is a framework that keeps pay fair and consistent across the NHS, no matter where you work.
The basics of pay bands
The AfC system has 11 pay bands, and nurses usually start at Band 5. As you gain more experience or take on extra responsibilities, you can move up to Band 6, 7, or even 8. Each band also has annual pay steps, so your salary increases gradually year by year.
Where most nurses begin
In 2025, a newly qualified nurse in England starts at £31,048 a year. After a couple of years, this goes up to around £33,488, and it can rise further to £37,796 at the top of Band 5.
If you’ve trained outside the UK, you’ll often start here too, even with prior nursing experience. While it may feel like a step back at first, many internationally educated nurses progress quickly once they’ve settled into the NHS system.
Moving up the ladder
As you progress, higher bands bring more responsibility and specialist knowledge:
- Band 6 (Senior or Specialist Nurse): £38,638 – £46,581
- Band 7 (Advanced Nurse or Team Leader): £47,809 – £54,710
- Band 8 (Consultant Nurse or Senior Manager): £55,689 – £105,337
The London boost
Living in London? Nurses there receive a High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, which adds between 5% and 20% to their base pay. For someone in Inner London, that could mean up to £8,466 extra per year, designed to help balance out the higher cost of living in the capital.
Pay band snapshot for 2025
| Band | Typical role | Salary range (2025) |
| Band 2 | Domestic support worker, housekeeping assistant, driver, nursery assistant | £24,465 |
| Band 3 | Emergency care assistant, occupational therapy support worker | £24,937 – £26,598 |
| Band 4 | Assistant practitioner, pharmacy technician, dental nurse | £27,485 – £30,162 |
| Band 5 | Newly qualified nurse | £31,048 – £37,796 |
| Band 6 | Senior staff/specialist nurse | £38,638 – £46,581 |
| Band 7 | Advanced nurse/team leader | £47,809 – £54,710 |
| Band 8a | Senior manager/consultant nurse | £55,690 – £62,682 |
| Band 8b | Strategic management, head of education and training, clinical physiology service manager | £64,455 – £74,896 |
| Band 8c | Head of human resources, consultant clinical scientist, consultant paramedic | £76,965 – £88,682 |
| Band 8d | Consultant psychologist, estates manager, chief nurse, and chief finance manager | £91,342 – £105,337 |
| Band 9 | Director-level nurse roles | £109,179 – £125,637 |
(Figures are averages for England in 2025. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland set their own but similar pay scales.)
What nurses earn with experience
How much you take home depends a lot on where you are in your career journey.
Just starting out (0–2 years)
Most new nurses start at Band 5, with a salary just above £30,000. Many hospitals offer preceptorship programmes (structured professional support) during your first year, giving you extra support while you settle in.
If you’ve recently moved to the UK, your first job may also be counted as “newly qualified,” even if you have years of experience abroad. Don’t worry, this is just temporary. You’ll find that your progression speeds up once your skills are recognised within the NHS.
Building experience (3–10 years)
After a few years, many nurses move to Band 6, where pay rises to between £38,000 and £46,000. These roles often come with more responsibility, such as supervising junior colleagues or specialising in a certain field.
This is also where your international background can shine. Completing UK-based training or demonstrating specialist knowledge often helps immigrant nurses move into these roles faster.
Senior level (10+ years)
With a decade or more of experience, many nurses move into leadership and advanced roles. Band 7 and 8 roles, such as nurse managers, advanced nurse practitioners, or consultant nurses, can earn anywhere from the mid-£40,000s to over £90,000, depending on responsibilities and specialisation.
Specialist roles and what they pay
Not all nursing roles are the same. Some come with extra training, added responsibility, and higher salaries to match.
Mental health nursing
Mental health services are under pressure across the UK, so demand for skilled nurses is high. Salaries typically range from £31,000 to £47,000, with senior roles earning more. Beyond the pay, this is a role where your work can have a huge impact on people’s everyday lives.
Critical care and intensive care
ICU nurses often work at Band 6 or 7, earning between £37,000 and £50,000. The work is fast-paced and challenging, but it also helps you develop advanced clinical skills that can open doors to senior positions later in your career.
Theatre nursing
From scrub nurses to recovery staff, theatre roles usually start at Band 5 and can move up to Band 6 or 7. If you enjoy working in a highly structured environment and being part of a close-knit surgical team, this could be a great fit.
Community and district nursing
Community roles often begin at Band 6, with salaries starting from £36,000. These jobs come with a lot of independence, as you care for patients in their homes or local clinics. Many nurses find this path rewarding because it allows them to build strong relationships with the people they support.
Practice nursing
Practice nurses are based in GP surgeries, usually earning between £30,000 and £40,000. While the salary can be a little lower than in hospital settings, the more predictable hours are a big plus for anyone looking for a better work-life balance.
What influences your pay
Your take-home pay as a nurse isn’t only about your job title. A few other factors can make a real difference to your earnings.
- Education and qualifications: Extra training or postgraduate study can open doors to specialist or leadership roles with higher pay.
- Where you’re willing to work: High-demand areas or hard-to-fill posts sometimes come with added incentives.
- Shifts and hours: Nights, weekends, and bank holidays often mean higher rates, boosting your annual total.
- Appraisals and performance: Annual reviews play a role in how quickly you progress within a band.
- Union representation: Collective negotiating through groups like the Royal College of Nursing influences NHS-wide pay rises.
How location affects your pay
Nursing salaries don’t look the same across the UK. Where you work can have a big impact on your earnings and how far your money goes.
London and the South East
Thanks to the High-Cost Area allowance, nurses in London and nearby regions can earn thousands more each year. But it’s worth remembering that rent and daily living expenses are also much higher.
Scotland
Scotland runs its own NHS pay system, which often matches or slightly exceeds England’s starting salaries. Many nurses also find the cost of living more manageable outside major cities like Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Wales
Pay scales in Wales are generally similar to those in England, but the lower cost of living in many parts of the country means your pay can stretch further.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has sometimes fallen behind on pay compared to the rest of the UK, although steps have been taken in recent years to close the gap.
Thinking beyond the payslip
If you’re moving from overseas, it’s not just about the headline salary. Rent, transport, groceries, and childcare costs all vary by region. For some immigrant nurses, choosing a role outside London can offer a better balance between income and expenses.
NHS pay compared with private work
The NHS isn’t the only place to build a nursing career in the UK. Many nurses explore a mix of options depending on their goals and lifestyle.
Working in the NHS
The NHS is a popular choice for many reasons. Pay bands are clearly structured, annual rises are built in, and the pension scheme is one of the strongest in the country. Add to that career development programmes and plenty of opportunities to specialise, and it’s easy to see why so many nurses choose this path for the long term.
Private hospitals
Private providers often pay between £35,000 and £45,000 for general nursing roles, with higher salaries for specialists. Workloads may be lighter, with smaller patient ratios and modern facilities that can make shifts less stressful.
The trade-off is that pensions and benefits are usually less generous than in the NHS. For some nurses, though, the working environment and added flexibility make private healthcare an attractive option.
Agency shifts
Agency nurses are paid by the hour, at an average of £26.22 per hour, which can make a real difference to your monthly income. It’s flexible, you pick the shifts you want, but there’s no guaranteed work, and long-term benefits like holiday pay and pensions aren’t included.
Some nurses use agency work as a side option to boost earnings while still holding an NHS job.
What matters most?
For many immigrant nurses, the NHS is still the main choice. Not only is it the UK’s largest employer, but NHS trusts are also major sponsors for the Health and Care Worker visa, making the process of moving to the UK smoother.
That said, plenty of nurses choose a blended approach, working in the NHS for stability and topping up their income with private or agency shifts when it suits their lifestyle.
The extras that make a difference
A nurse’s salary is only part of the picture. The NHS also offers a bundle of benefits that add real value to your overall package and to your peace of mind.
Pension scheme
The NHS pension is often described as one of the best in the UK. Both you and your employer contribute, which means your future finances grow steadily in the background while you focus on your work today. For many nurses, this long-term security is one of the biggest reasons to stay in the NHS.
Overtime and on-call
If you want to boost your income, extra hours are usually paid at enhanced rates. Many nurses pick up overtime shifts when they want to add to their income, and some find on-call payments provide a nice cushion on top of their regular salary.
Unsocial hours pay
Working nights, weekends, and bank holidays may mean sacrificing social time, but they do come with extra pay. For many nurses, these allowances can add a meaningful amount to the annual total.
Training and development
One of the NHS’s biggest strengths is its commitment to ongoing learning. Many trusts cover the cost of courses, conferences, and advanced training. Not only does this support your career growth, but it can also open doors to higher-paying roles.
Annual leave
Nurses start with 28 days of paid holiday each year, plus public holidays. The longer you stay in the NHS, the more leave you earn, giving you extra time to rest and recharge.
Ways to boost your income
Your salary as a nurse isn’t set in stone. Over time, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your earnings.
Climbing the bands
One of the most straightforward ways to increase your income is by moving up the NHS bands. Progressing from Band 5 to Band 6 and beyond comes with both higher pay and greater responsibility.
Adding qualifications
Specialist training can open doors to new roles in areas like intensive care, mental health, or community health. These courses do take time and commitment, but they often lead to Band 6 or 7 salaries and equip you with in-demand skills.
Taking on leadership
For those who enjoy guiding teams or shaping patient care on a bigger scale, leadership roles like nurse managers or advanced practitioners are a great option. These roles not only offer higher pay but also the chance to influence how care is delivered.
Picking up extra shifts
Agency or locum work offers flexibility and can provide a quick boost to your monthly income. Some nurses combine agency shifts with an NHS role, giving them the security of a permanent job while still topping up their pay when needed.
Managing money
For many immigrant nurses, part of the financial picture includes supporting family abroad. Services like Remitly make it simple and affordable to send money home, so you can take care of loved ones while keeping your budget balanced in the UK.
FAQs
What’s the average nurse salary in 2025?
Most nurses earn between £33,000 and £35,000, depending on role, experience, and location.
Do nurses earn more in London?
Yes, thanks to the High-Cost Area allowance, salaries are higher in London. However, keep in mind that living costs are also higher.
How much do new nurses make?
Newly qualified Band 5 nurses start at around £31,048.
What’s the top salary for nurses?
Senior consultant nurses and Band 9 managers can earn between £65,000 and £100,000+, depending on experience and responsibilities.
How often does pay increase?
Pay increases occur annually until you reach the top of your band. National pay rises are negotiated separately.
Can the private sector pay more?
Sometimes. Private roles and agency shifts may offer higher hourly rates, but benefits like pensions and paid leave are often stronger in the NHS.