NHS pay · Band 2 · 2026/27
NHS Band 2 pay, take-home & hourly rate
How much does NHS Band 2 take home?
NHS Band 2 pays £24,465 in 2025/26 (England, full-time). At the entry point that's a take-home of about £1,666 a month after tax, National Insurance and the 6.5% NHS pension — roughly £12.55/hour before any night or weekend enhancements. Typical roles: healthcare assistants, domestic support, porters, clerical support.
Verified 12 August 2026
Band 2 take-home, broken down
Here's exactly where the money goes at the entry point of £24,465, using the correct NHS pension tier and 2025/26 income tax and National Insurance for England:
On top of this, your employer contributes £5,798 (23.7%) into your NHS pension — that's deferred pay you don't see on your payslip but genuinely own.
What nights & weekends add at Band 2
Band 2 unsocial-hours enhancements (Section 2) are +41% for weekday nights and Saturdays, and +83% for Sundays and bank holidays. At the entry hourly rate of £13, that means:
- A weekday night hour (8pm–6am) is worth £18 instead of £13.
- A Sunday or bank-holiday hour is worth £23.
- A single 12-hour Sunday shift earns about £276.
Use the full NHS calculator to add up your own rota and see the exact monthly boost.
Band 2 roles
Band 2 typically covers: healthcare assistants, domestic support, porters, clerical support.
2026/27 pay (confirmed +3.3%)
From 1 April 2026, a confirmed 3.3% uplift takes Band 2 entry pay to about £25,272. Because the pension and enhancements are percentages of basic pay, they rise too.