NHS Band 2 Pay (Wales)
Entry: £26,300 gross in 2026/27.
Band 2 is one of nine pay bands in the Agenda for Change framework, which covers over one million NHS staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Pay rates are set nationally by the NHS Pay Review Body.
What Band 2 covers
Entry-level support roles including domestic support workers, housekeeping assistants, drivers, security officers and healthcare assistants. Staff typically progress to Band 3 as they take on greater responsibility or specialise further.
Take-Home Breakdown
2025/26 vs 2026/27 gross salary, pension, tax, NI and take-home pay. Figures assume England and Wales tax rates, standard tax code 1257L, NHS Pension opted in and no student loans. Salaries include the Welsh Government’s Living Wage Foundation floor where applicable.
| 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | £24,465 | £26,300 | +£1,835 |
| Hourly rate | £12.55 | £13.49 | +£0.94 |
| Pension | £1,590 | £1,710 | +£120 |
| Taxable income | £22,875 | £24,590 | +£1,715 |
| Income tax | £2,061 | £2,404 | +£343 |
| National Insurance | £952 | £1,098 | +£147 |
| Take-home | £19,862 | £21,088 | +£1,225 |
| Effective tax rate | 18.8% | 19.8% | +1.0% |
Get a customised take-home figure — adjust your tax code, pension opt-out, student loans and more.
Pension and Deductions
Band 2 staff contribute 6.5% of salary to the NHS Pension Scheme. The pension is deducted before income tax under a NET pay arrangement, which means you get full tax relief automatically. National Insurance is calculated on your full gross salary before the pension deduction.
Notes
- Pay rates from NHS Health Careers. Tax and NI use HMRC 2025/26 and 2026/27 England and Wales tax rates.
- Pension contribution tiers from the NHSBSA pension scheme (2025/26 and 2026/27 tiers).
- Wales applies a Living Wage Foundation floor of £26,300 per annum from April 2026, lifting the lowest spine points in Bands 2 and 3. Source: Welsh Government pay letter.
- Staff in London and surrounding areas may receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 5–20% on top of base pay.
- Scotland has different income tax bands. Scottish take-home will differ.
- Student loan repayments are not included. Use the calculator for a personalised breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related
- Band 3 Pay — Emergency care assistants, therapy support workers, £25,760–£27,476
- NHS Pension Scheme — contribution tiers, NET pay, and how pension affects take-home
- NHS Wales Pay — living wage supplement and how it affects lower bands
- NHS Take-Home Pay Calculator — personalised breakdown with student loans, salary sacrifice and Scotland
- How UK Take-Home Pay Is Calculated — the PAYE deduction pipeline step by step
- Official NHS AfC Pay Rates — healthcareers.nhs.uk
- All Resources