Where you start
England NHS Band 5 entry basic pay is £32,073 in 2026/27. Other career figures retain their stated historical sources; compare their dates and scope before using them.
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
- Nursing pay: 2026/27 · England NHS; other roles use dated estimates
How to read the data
The nursing row shows England Band 5 entry, intermediate and top basic pay points for 2026/27; “Experienced” is the intermediate point, not a five-year salary estimate. Its top figure stays within Band 5. Other rows retain their original starting, experienced and senior-role estimates and source years.
Three things the salary data shows
Use these to plan a realistic career change or progression move.
Where you can progress
NHS within-band pay progression and appointment to a higher-banded job are different. A qualification can support an application but does not automatically change the band of a job.
How long it takes
There is no guaranteed timetable to a higher-paid role. NHS pay steps have eligibility intervals and review conditions; promotion depends on the role and employer.
The nursing row uses England NHS Band 5 basic pay for 2026/27. Other rows retain their original dated estimates and have not been refreshed to 2026/27. Check each source year, employer and region.
Healthcare
Registered Nurse (NHS Band 5)
- Starting
- £32,073 (Band 5 entry)
- Experienced
- £34,592 (Band 5 intermediate)
- Top
- £39,043 (Band 5 top)
NHS Employers 2026/27, England Band 5 basic pay: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202627
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?
The nursing row uses NHS Employers’ England 2026/27 Band 5 basic pay points: £32,073 entry, £34,592 intermediate and £39,043 top. Other rows retain their original dated sources, including historical 2025/26 NHS figures; they are not presented as a 2026/27 refresh. A higher band is not guaranteed after a fixed number of years. NHS Employers: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202627
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. The refreshed nursing row excludes high-cost-area supplements. NHS Employers publishes separate inner-London, outer-London and fringe rates; eligibility and minimum/maximum supplements apply. Other roles vary by employer and location, so check each row’s stated scope. NHS Employers: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202627
Plan the route to your target salary
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