£29,970 – £36,483 a year
The entry band for most newly-qualified registered professionals — the single highest-volume band in the NHS. The figure above is the England national base pay for 2025/26; London and high-cost areas add a High Cost Area Supplement, and clinical roles often earn more through unsocial-hours and on-call enhancements.
Indicative only — each employer maps roles to bands through job evaluation, so the same job title can sit on different bands at different trusts.
Within Band 5 you move up the pay points over time through annual increments, from £29,970 up to £36,483. The next step up is Band 6 (£37,338 – £44,962).
NHS Band 5 pays from £29,970 to £36,483 a year in 2025/26 (England). You start near the bottom of the band and move up the pay points through annual increments; London and high-cost areas add a supplement on top.
The entry band for most newly-qualified registered professionals — the single highest-volume band in the NHS. Typical Band 5 roles include Newly-qualified registered nurse, Midwife, Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist.
The next band up is Band 6, paying £37,338 – £44,962 a year in 2025/26.