NHS Wales Pay Bands 2026/27
Wales applies a Living Wage Foundation floor to NHS pay, lifting the lowest-paid spine points above the standard Agenda for Change rate.
The Welsh Living Wage Supplement
From 1 April 2026, the Welsh Government pays NHS staff at least the Living Wage Foundation real living wage of £13.45 per hour, equivalent to £26,300 per year full-time.
This is distinct from the UK government’s National Living Wage (£12.21/hr for 2026/27). The real living wage is calculated independently based on what people actually need to cover the cost of living.
The uplift is an advance payment. It does not form a new baseline for future pay awards — the 3.3% increase applies on top of the original pre-uplift salary, not on top of the floor.
Which Bands Are Affected
Any spine point with a standard salary below £26,300 is lifted to that floor. For 2026/27, this affects:
| Band | Point | England | Wales | Uplift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Entry | £25,272 | £26,300 | +£1,028 |
| Band 3 | Year 1 | £25,760 | £26,300 | +£540 |
| Band 3 | Year 2+ | £27,476 | £27,476 | — |
Band 4 and above are unaffected — all their spine points already exceed the floor.
Tax Rates in Wales
Wales uses the same income tax bands and rates as England and Northern Ireland. Only Scotland has different income tax bands. This means Welsh NHS staff on the same salary as their English counterparts will see the same tax deductions.