Where you start
Newly qualified Band 5 nurses earn £31,049 in 2025/26. CMI Level 3 holders entering team-leader roles earn around £28-£32k.
Tools & calculators
What could you earn after qualifying?
See typical UK starting and experienced salaries for the careers your Lift College qualification opens up. Figures drawn from NHS pay bands, ONS data, and recognised salary surveys.
- UK salary ranges · starting, average and experienced
- Linked to qualifications · see the route to each role
- Updated for 2025/26 · NHS Agenda for Change and ONS data
How to read the data
Starting salary is the typical pay for someone newly qualified. Experienced is the typical pay after 5+ years in the role. Top salary reflects senior or specialist positions.
Three things the salary data shows
Use these to plan a realistic career change or progression move.
Where you can progress
Most roles offer a clear progression band, Band 5 to Band 7 in nursing, Level 3 to Level 7 in management.
How long it takes
Most adult learners reach a higher salary band within 3-5 years of qualifying. The pace depends on sector and employer.
Roles are grouped by sector. Salary figures are typical UK ranges for 2025/26.
Healthcare
Registered Nurse (NHS Band 5)
- Starting
- £31,049
- Experienced
- £44,962
- Top
- £54,710 (Band 7)
NHS Agenda for Change 2025/26
Education
Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
- Starting
- £21,000
- Experienced
- £25,000
- Top
- £32,061
CV-Library 2025, NJC pay scales April 2025
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Frequently asked questions
Where do the NHS salary figures come from?
They are taken from the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales for 2025/26 published by NHS Employers. Band 5 is the entry band for newly qualified nurses; progression to Band 6 and Band 7 typically takes 3-5 years.
Are these salaries before or after tax?
All salaries shown are gross, before income tax, National Insurance and pension deductions. Use the GOV.UK take-home pay calculator if you need a net figure.
Do salaries vary by region?
Yes. NHS salaries include an inner-London, outer-London and fringe weighting (up to ~20% on top of base pay). CMI Salary Survey figures vary by sector and region; the figures shown are UK-wide medians.
Plan the route to your target salary
Three resources that pair with the salary data.
Tool
UCAS Tariff calculator
Work out the UCAS points your current grades or Access to HE Diploma will give you.
InsightWhy management qualifications matter in 2026
How CMI qualifications change pay outcomes, backed by CMI Salary Survey data.
GuideHow to become a manager without a degree
The CMI route from supervisor to senior leader, level by level.
Speak to an adviser
Not sure where to start?
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