NHS Pay Rise 2025: Who Is Eligible, When It Will Be Paid

The NHS pay rise has been one of the biggest talking points among staff in 2025. For thousands of employees – from nurses and paramedics to healthcare assistants and managers the issue has been not only a NHS pay rise, but also when it will be paid.

This year’s pay rise brings a welcome boost for most staff will see a 3.6% increase, while doctors receive 4%.

Backdated to April, the rise will appear in the August payroll along with back pay, providing a timely lift for staff and supporting efforts to improve recruitment and retention across the health service.

NHS pay rise 2025

The NHS pay rise was 3.6% for most staff and 4% for doctors, backdated to April 2025, and is aimed at boosting salaries, morale, and workforce retention.

The pay rise not only rewards staff for their dedication since April but also boosts NHS salaries, making roles more competitive. The new pay, including back pay from April to July, will be processed in August 2025—a quicker rollout than in previous years.

Timely payment helps reduce turnover, improve staff morale, and strengthen service delivery, supporting patient care and addressing staffing shortages across hospitals and community services.

Why the Pay Rise Matters?

The NHS pay rise was backdated to April 2025, boosting salaries, morale, and retention to support staff and improve healthcare delivery.

• Retention of staff: Rising living costs have made it difficult for many NHS employees to continue in their roles without competitive pay.
• Recruitment needs: With shortages in nursing, midwifery, and other healthcare roles, a fairer staff compensation package is vital.
• Recognition of effort: After years of industrial action and disputes, the pay award is seen as recognition of the hard work and dedication shown by NHS staff.

This rise follows the 5.5% uplift given in 2024, making it the second successive above-inflation pay award in recent years.

When Will It Be Paid?

The NHS pay rise for 2025 was backdated to April and is being paid in the August payroll, boosting staff salaries, retention, and recruitment efforts.

For many NHS staff, this pay rise is more than just numbers on a payslip. It reflects recognition of the long hours, dedication, and pressure healthcare workers face daily.

This means that by August, NHS staff will receive not only their updated monthly salary but also several months’ worth of arrears. The earlier payment schedule is intended to boost morale and ease financial pressures more quickly.

How to Check Your New Salary?

Many NHS staff want to know exactly how much extra will appear in their pay packet after the 2025 pay rise. This is where an NHS payroll calculator becomes extremely useful.

By entering your current pay band, pay point, and contracted hours, these tools can provide a detailed projection of your earnings after the salary increase.

A calculator can also help you see:

• Your exact monthly salary increase after the rise.
• How much back pay will you receive in the August payroll?
• Your updated take-home pay, accounting for tax and pension deductions.

Using these calculators makes financial planning far easier, giving staff a clear and accurate picture of their total staff compensation. It also helps you prepare for any budgeting changes or lifestyle adjustments based on your updated income.

Who Is Eligible for the NHS Pay Rise?

Eligible NHS staff for 2025 pay rise include Agenda for Change employees, doctors, dentists, and senior managers employed from April 2025, receiving back pay.

The 2025 NHS pay rise covers most staff under Agenda for Change, from healthcare assistants to senior nurses, ensuring fair compensation for their work.

Doctors and dentists also benefit from a 4% uplift across their pay scales, while very senior managers are included under contractual arrangements.

Eligibility depends on active employment during the backdated period from April, with new joiners receiving pro-rated increases based on start dates.

This structured approach ensures all eligible staff are recognized and fairly rewarded, supporting retention, morale, and recruitment in hospitals, clinics, and community services across the UK.

NHS Pay Bands After the Rise

The Agenda for Change pay structure applies to most NHS staff, excluding doctors, dentists, and very senior managers. With the 3.6% uplift, the 2025–26 bands now look like this:

• Band 2 – Entry-level roles like healthcare assistants and porters.
• Band 3 – Includes therapy assistants and administrative support.
• Band 5 – Entry-level for nurses, paramedics, and therapists.
• Band 7 – Senior clinical roles requiring advanced skills.
• Band 9 – Top-tier managerial positions within the NHS.

For doctors and dentists, the 4% rise applies across their salary scales. These updated figures bring NHS pay closer in line with inflation and private-sector averages, though unions argue they still fall short of addressing long-term workforce challenges.

The Reason Behind the Delayed Payment

NHS pay rise delayed due to payroll processing, backdating to April, and alignment of staff wages, ensuring accurate pay for nurses, doctors, and healthcare staff.

This delay ensures that all NHS staff, from nurses and paramedics to healthcare assistants and managers, receive the correct back pay. The 2025 pay rise, backdated to April, will appear in the August payroll, giving staff both the increase and the owed back pay in one go.

Payroll teams are carefully coordinating these adjustments to reflect April’s rates, ensuring fair compensation and supporting staff morale.

The rise not only boosts take-home pay but also helps with retention, recruitment, and recognition of the demanding roles within hospitals and community care.

By paying in August, the NHS aims to provide clarity and financial certainty for its workforce, acknowledging the vital contribution of staff across the health service.

What Happens Next?

The government has already committed to reviewing the Agenda for Change pay system for 2026/27. This review will focus on:

• Career progression: Making sure staff move up bands more fairly.
• Equity across roles: Ensuring support staff and clinical staff are not left behind.
• Sustainable pay awards: Linking future pay rises to economic realities and inflation.

This means that while August 2025 brings immediate relief, the debate over NHS pay is far from finished.

The NHS pay rise for 2025–26 is an important development, providing a salary increase of 3.6% for Agenda for Change staff and 4% for doctors.

While officially backdated to April 1, staff will first feel the impact in August 2025, when both the new pay rates and several months of back pay land together.

For NHS staff, this is both a financial boost and recognition of their service. However, many still believe that broader reform of the pay structure is necessary to truly secure recruitment, retention, and fair staff compensation in the future.

FAQs 

When does the NHS pay rise start?

The pay rise is effective from April 1, 2025, but you will first see it in your August 2025 payroll along with back pay for April–July.

Will NHS staff get back pay?

Yes, all back pay from April 2025 onwards will be included in the August payment, ensuring staff compensation remains fair.

How much will my salary increase?

It depends on your band. For example, Band 5 starts at £31,049 and rises to £37,796. Each employee’s increase varies by band and pay point.

Why is the payment scheduled for August?

Payroll systems need time to implement nationwide changes. The August payroll date balances accuracy with fairness by including arrears.

Will there be more changes in the future?

Yes. A pay structure review is due for 2026/27, aimed at improving career progression and addressing long-term issues in NHS pay.