| Band | Entry | Top |
|---|---|---|
Gross annual salaries for each Agenda for Change band in Wales, entry to top of band. Source: NHS PRB 39th Report (3.3% uplift). Bands 2–3 adjusted to the Living Wage floor per NHS Wales Pay Circular AFC 1/2026.
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How NHS Wales Pay Is Set
Wales and England both use Agenda for Change as the pay system for most non-medical NHS staff. The framework defines NHS Wales pay bands, progression structure and core terms including the standard 37.5-hour working week and harmonised annual leave.
Wales uses the same NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) as England as its independent pay review body for AfC staff. But the Welsh Government decides independently how to respond to those recommendations and can diverge in the detailed pay deal. In practice, Wales has increasingly done so, applying larger uplifts for those on lower incomes to maintain the living wage floor.
The 2026/27 Pay Rise
3.3%
Consolidated pay rise for NHS Wales AfC staff from 1 April 2026
The Welsh Government accepted the NHSPRB’s 39th Report recommendation in full on 12 February 2026. The 3.3% applies to all AfC pay points and is consolidated into basic salary, meaning it counts towards pension and overtime calculations.
Pay Supplements
There are no HCAS zones in Wales. Staff receive basic AfC Wales rates without regional supplements. Some roles may qualify for Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRPs) under the All-Wales RRP Protocol; check your contract or ask your health board’s HR team.
Staff working evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays receive percentage uplifts on basic salary.
On-call and sleeping-in allowances are set by NHS Wales circular AfC(W) 02/2026, uplifted 3.3% from 1 April 2026:
| Allowance | Per session |
|---|---|
| Sleep-in | £44.82 |
| On-call (weekday / weekend) | £26.05 |
| On-call (public holiday) | £52.08 |
Rates uplifted 3.3% from 1 April 2026. If called out during an on-call period, time worked is paid at the appropriate overtime or unsocial hours rate.
Income Tax
Since April 2019, Wales has had the power to set its own income tax rates through the Welsh Rates of Income Tax (WRIT). Welsh taxpayers have a “C” prefix on their tax code (e.g. C1257L instead of 1257L).
In practice, Welsh rates are currently aligned with England and Northern Ireland. See our income tax guide for a full breakdown of bands and thresholds.
NHS Pension Scheme
Welsh NHS staff belong to the same NHS Pension Scheme as England, administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). Contribution rates and scheme rules are the same across England and Wales.
For a full guide to contribution tiers, accrual rates and how the 2015 scheme works, see the NHS Pension Scheme page.