Nurse Salary in UK – The Latest Guide for 2024

The United Kingdom is well known for jobs in the healthcare sector. Nursing especially is one of the most famous as well as in-demand careers in the country. However, before getting any roles, candidates look for many aspects of a job such as the work environment, roles and responsibilities and most importantly, the salary. Nurse Salary in UK has been a hot topic, we will discuss later why this is so, but what’s important to note is that Nurse Salary in UK has recently seen a good hike. To know more about the salary of a nurse in UK and what banding of salary you fall into read our guide. 

Learn How to Become a Nurse [Step-by-Step Guide]

Nurse Salary in UK for Band 1-6

Despite the heavy demand for the industry in the UK, the Nurse salary in UK grew only by 2% between 2010 and 2015. Subsequently, from 2015 to 2017 the rise was only 1%. 

After the requirements surged between 2018 and 2021, the salaries were increased by 3% for NHS nurses and there was a subsequent rise in 2022 as well. In 2023, there will be a rise of 5% again making Nursing jobs very competitive and desirable. 

The pay is however highly dependent on the band at which the nurse is employed. Here are the average salaries for nurses under bands 1 to 6.

Band	Experience in Years	Average Salary
1	0-1+	£22,383
2	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6+	£22,383 £22,383 £22,383 £22,383 £22,383 £22,383 £22,383
3	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6+	£22,816 £22,816 £24,336 £24,336 £24,336 £24,336 £24,336
4	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6+	£25,147 £25,147 £25,147 £27,596 £27,596 £27,596 £27,596
5	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7+	£28,407 £28,407 £30,639 £30,639 £34,581 £34,581 £34,581 £34,581
6	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8+	£35,392 £35,392 £37,350 £37,350 £37,350 £42,618 £42,618 £42,618 £42,618

Here are the top Nursing Jobs Abroad For Indians 2023. Click on the link to check. 

Nurse Salary in UK for Band 7 to 9 

Bands 7 to 9 have different salaries. Here is a list of Nurse salaries in the UK under these bands. 

Band	Experience	Salary
7	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8+	£43,742 £43,742 £45,996 £45,996 £45,996 £50,056 £50,056 £50,056 £50,056
8a	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+	£50,952 £50,952 £50,952 £50,952 £50,952 £57,349
8b	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+	£58,972 £58,972 £58,972 £58,972 £58,972 £68,525
8c	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+	£70,417 £70,417 £70,417 £70,417 £70,417 £81,138
8d	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+	£83,571 £83,571 £83,571 £83,571 £83,571 £96,376
9	0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+	£99,891 £99,891 £99,891 £99,891 £99,891 £114,949

Introduction to Nursing Bands

A band defines the job role and the level of pay within that job role. It is also an organisation of the range of salaries that are offered under each band. Here is what each band corresponds to. 

Band 1

Role: Nursery Assistant

Responsibility: Routine procedures

Qualifications: Basic induction or training

Band 2

Role: Healthcare Assistant, Domestic support worker, domestic team leader, security officer

Responsibility: Routine procedures with a little upskill specialisation in other arenas

Qualifications: Proper induction and training

Band 3

Role: Emergency care assistant, Clinical coding officer, Estates officer and Occupational therapy worker.

Responsibility: Knowledge to deal with new situations and make decisions to an extent.

Qualifications: Formal training or relevant experience.

Band 4

Role: Technical support worker, Assistant practitioner, Audio visual technician, Pharmacy technician, Dental nurse and Theatre support worker.

Responsibility: This involves relevant theoretical knowledge as well as good experience in making decisions and dealing with situations.

Qualifications: Relevant field experience and/or detailed training programme.

Band 5

Role: Newly qualified nurses in sectors like operating department practitioner (ODP), learning disability nurse and practice manager.

Responsibility: A wide range of procedures and practices 

Qualifications: Expertise in a specialised area through education or experience. 

Band 6

Role: Nursing specialist, Senior Nurse, School Nurse, Experienced paramedic, Clinical psychology trainee and Biomedical scientist.

Responsibility: Specialists

Qualifications: Thorough experience in a field 

Band 7 

Role: Advanced Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Communications manager, High-intensity therapist and Advanced speech and Language therapist.

Responsibility: Specialist knowledge in a range of fields 

Qualifications: Extensive knowledge gained through studies and experience.

Band 8

(8A) Role: Consultant prosthetist, orthotist, modern matron, project and programme management and nurse consultant.

Responsibility: Range of procedures and practices

Qualifications: Advanced studies and practical knowledge 

(8B) Role: Head of education and training, Head orthoptist, Clinical physiology service manager and Strategic management.

Responsibility: Range of procedures and practices

Qualifications: Advanced studies and practical knowledge 

Nurses with levels higher than these come under the 8C, 8D and 9 Band categories. 

Salaries are fine, now let’s see How to Find Nursing Jobs in UK.

Banding for Overseas Nurses

Nurses who are qualified overseas and want to work in the UK have to get fully registered with the NMC. They get directly placed into Band 5 given their qualifications and if they have relevant experience they will be placed under higher bands. For that, they will also have to apply for relevant roles.

Also, it is to be remembered that to practice in the UK, you need to match the level of qualifications required. The evaluations of various countries are at times different and hence the experienced nurses might also get placed under Band 5. 

Applicants must, however, understand that this is because it is not only the experience of several years but also in learning new skills and practices or staying up to date with the latest procedures in use. 

Looking for an alternate career? Check out these Pharmacy Jobs Abroad for Indians in 2023: A Guide.

Highest-Paid Nursing Jobs

Here is a list of the highest-paid Nursing Jobs in the UK. 

Job	Average Annual Salary
Pediatric Nurse	£31,702
Psychiatric nurse	£33,708
Cardiac nurse	£32,231
Nurse practitioner	£34,808
Neonatal intensive care nurse (NICU)	£37,197
Research nurse	£34,437
Pain management nurse	£37,303
Midwives	£36,937

See how to make a career in Career in Public Health: Jobs, Best Countries, Eligibility

Average Nurse Salary in UK

Finding one definite number for the average Nurse Salary in the UK is difficult. Nurses might be employed in public or private sectors which creates a considerable gap in the pay. Moreover, even while being employed with the NHS, the salary depends on experience and professional development. 

Based on data from various job sites, a lump sum average of the Nurse Salary in UK is aggregated to be around £35,000 to £38,000 per year. On top of that, a majority of newly qualified nurses are under the age of 30 years. Therefore, they have a great scope to grow and learn.  

Public Vs Private Sector

Public sector jobs involve those associated with the NHS whereas those in the private sector can be anywhere including schools, private healthcare organisations, charities etc. Therefore, where salaries for NHS employees are secure and fixed the salary of a private sector nurse is highly negotiable. 

Here are some Emerging Career Opportunities in Healthcare. Check to know what matches your qualifications. 

FAQs

This was all about Nurse Salaries in UK. If you want to read more jobs-related articles follow Jobs Abroad. 

You can also explore more blogs 

Top Typing Jobs for Students Abroad	List of Digital Nomad Jobs	A Complete Guide: jobs after MBA in UK
Details You Need to Know About Internships Abroad	Complete Guide to Part Time Jobs in Latvia	How to find Part time jobs in South Korea