Agency and bank nurse pay 2026/27
Agency and bank shifts usually pay more per hour than a salaried nursing post. But a salary also pays for annual leave, sick pay and a generous NHS pension. Here's what agency and bank rates need to be to beat an NHS salary.
- Updated for 2026/27
- Official NHS and HMRC figures
- Checked 20 October 2026
NHS nurse pay vs the locum break-even rate
The table compares Agenda for Change salaries for the bands most nurses work in with the hourly rate an agency nurse paid through PAYE needs to earn the same take-home pay over the same hours actually worked.
| Band and pay point | Salary | Salaried hourly | Locum break-even | Inc. pension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 entry | £32,073 | £16.40 | £17.26 | £24.44 |
| Band 5 intermediate | £34,592 | £17.69 | £18.61 | £26.36 |
| Band 5 top | £39,043 | £19.97 | £20.62 | £29.77 |
| Band 6 entry | £39,959 | £20.44 | £21.11 | £30.63 |
| Band 6 intermediate | £42,170 | £21.57 | £22.27 | £32.73 |
| Band 6 top | £48,117 | £24.61 | £25.41 | £38.36 |
| Band 7 entry | £49,387 | £25.26 | £26.08 | £39.56 |
| Band 7 intermediate | £51,932 | £26.56 | £27.51 | £42.07 |
| Band 7 top | £56,515 | £28.90 | £29.79 | £46.67 |
England, full time (37.5 hours), 35 days' paid leave, NHS pension member, no student loan. Break-even rates are for PAYE; an umbrella rate needs to be higher to cover employer costs.
What agency nurses are actually paid
There's no official dataset of agency nurse pay. Recruitment agencies set rates per shift, and they vary with specialty (ITU, A&E, theatres and mental health often pay more), location, unsocial hours and notice. Some agencies publish the rates they advertise: Pure Healthcare's comparison of NHS pay bands with its advertised locum rates shows ranges by band taken from its live vacancies, for example. Treat any published range as a snapshot, not a market average.
When you're offered a rate, check:
- Is it PAYE or umbrella? An umbrella rate has employer National Insurance and fees taken out before you're paid. See the PAYE vs umbrella calculator.
- Is holiday pay included? Agency workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year. Some rates include it ("rolled up"), others add it on.
- How many hours will you really get? Gaps between shifts and assignments reduce your yearly pay. The calculators let you set realistic weeks worked.
Bank vs agency nursing
Bank work is through your trust's own staff bank (or one run for it). You're usually paid your Agenda for Change hourly rate plus unsocial hours enhancements of up to 60% for Bands 4 to 9, and bank hours can count towards the NHS Pension Scheme.
Agency work is through a recruitment agency on an NHS framework. Rates are typically higher than bank, but agency work isn't pensionable in the NHS scheme. NHS England sets rules on what trusts can pay agencies and requires senior sign-off for high rates, which has pushed more shifts to staff banks.
Unsocial hours for bank nurses
| Pay point | Basic hourly | Nights and Saturdays (+30%) | Sundays and bank holidays (+60%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 entry | £16.40 | £21.32 | £26.24 |
| Band 6 entry | £20.44 | £26.57 | £32.70 |
| Band 7 entry | £25.26 | £32.84 | £40.42 |
Before you start agency or bank work
You'll need current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, an enhanced DBS check, up-to-date mandatory training and proof of your right to work. Read our guide to becoming a locum.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an agency nurse earn per hour?
- It varies with band, specialty, location and notice, and there's no official survey. As one published example, Pure Healthcare's advertised locum rates for Band 6 roles in October 2026 ranged from £22 to £44 an hour. Specialist areas, nights, weekends and short-notice shifts usually pay more. Check what a rate is worth after tax and leave with our locum vs salaried calculator.
- Do bank nurses get paid more than salaried nurses?
- Bank shifts at most NHS trusts are paid at the Agenda for Change hourly rate for your band, plus unsocial hours enhancements, and often holiday pay on top. Some trusts pay incentive rates for hard-to-fill shifts. Bank work can be pensionable in the NHS Pension Scheme.
- What hourly rate does a Band 5 nurse need as a locum to match their salary?
- To take home the same as a Band 5 entry salary over the same hours worked, a PAYE locum nurse needs about £17.26 an hour, or £24.44 to also make up for the NHS pension.
- Can NHS trusts still use agency healthcare assistants?
- NHS England's agency rules set out to end the use of agency staff in Agenda for Change Bands 2 and 3 by January 2026, except in exceptional circumstances. Trusts use their staff banks for those roles instead.
Sources
- Pay scales for 2026/27 (Agenda for Change), NHS Employers. Checked 20 October 2026.
- NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook (version 63), NHS Employers. Checked 20 October 2026.
- Agency rules, NHS England. Checked 20 October 2026.
- NHS pay bands 2026/27 and what locums earn, Pure Healthcare. Checked 20 October 2026.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC. Checked 20 October 2026.
Last updated .