Salary by profession · UK · 2026
Nurse salary in the UK
What is the average nurse salary in the UK?
The average UK nurse earns about £37,400 (ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025), typically £31,000–£45,800. That's around £2,537 a month take-home, and places the typical nurse in roughly the 46th percentile of all UK earners — £1,639 below the national median.
Verified 12 August 2026
Nurse pay and take-home
| Gross salary | Take-home (year) | Take-home (month) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry / lower | £31,000 | £25,840 | £2,153 |
| Typical (median) | £37,400 | £30,448 | £2,537 |
| Experienced / senior | £45,800 | £36,496 | £3,041 |
How nurses compare
The UK median full-time salary is £39,039. At £37,400, the typical nurse is earning £1,639 less than the national median — around the 46th percentile of all earners. NHS nurses sit on Agenda for Change Band 5–7; unsocial-hours enhancements add materially to base pay.
Want your exact number? Pay varies by region, employer and experience. See where your salary ranks → or work out your take-home →