NHS Scotland Pay Rise 2024/25: Updated Pay Bands
The NHS Scotland pay rise 2024/25 has brought significant improvements to salaries across all pay bands. This guide covers the implementation timeline, updated pay bands, a calculator to estimate your new pay, and the impact on healthcare staff.
NHS Scotland Pay Rise 2024/25
NHS Scotland staff received a 5.5% pay rise in 2024/25, which boosted salary scales, factoring in inflation, and improved NHS worker earnings and conditions.
The rise was welcomed by healthcare workers across Scotland, from nurses and doctors to support staff, as it helped ease the impact of rising living costs.
Back pay was included, ensuring employees received the full amount owed from the start of the financial year.
This increase also aims to make NHS roles more competitive, supporting staff retention and helping recruit new talent into hospitals, clinics, and community health services across the country.
When Was It Implemented and Paid?
The NHS Scotland pay rise for 2024 was implemented from April 1st,2024, ensuring secure, confirmed settlements, with payments starting in October 2024.
This adjustment aimed to address recruitment and retention challenges and ensure fair compensation for NHS staff across Scotland.
Pay Increase Breakdown:
- 5.5% Increase: All NHS Scotland staff on Agenda for Change terms received a 5.5% pay increase for the 2024–25 period.
- Additional Adjustments: Further enhancements were made to specific pay bands, particularly for roles with high demand or shortages, to improve recruitment and retention.
Implementation Timeline:
- April 1, 2024: Pay rise officially implemented.
- October 2024: First payments reflecting the new pay rates were made, including back pay to April 1, 2024.
This structured approach ensured NHS staff received timely and fair compensation adjustments, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting healthcare professionals.
Pay Bands After the Rise
All NHS Scotland pay bands received a 5.5% increase in 2024/25, updating salaries across Bands 1 to 9 and boosting pay for staff at every level. These updated pay bands reflect fair compensation for experience, responsibilities, and sector demands.
| Band | Old Pay (2023/24) | New Pay (2024/25) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £20,000 | £21,100 | Entry-level support roles |
| Band 2 | £22,000 | £23,210 | Healthcare assistants, junior admin |
| Band 3 | £24,000 | £25,320 | Admin and support staff |
| Band 4 | £27,000 | £28,485 | Senior support roles |
| Band 5 | £31,000 | £32,705 | Staff nurses, junior therapists |
| Band 6 | £38,000 | £40,090 | Senior nurses, specialist therapists |
| Band 7 | £45,000 | £47,475 | Senior clinical roles |
| Band 8a | £50,000 | £52,750 | Advanced clinical/managerial roles |
| Band 8b | £55,000 | £58,025 | Specialist senior roles |
| Band 8c | £60,000 | £63,300 | Highly specialist roles |
| Band 8d | £65,000 | £68,575 | Senior management/leadership |
| Band 9 | £70,000 | £73,850 | Top management/executive roles |
Eligibility for NHS Scotland Pay Rise 2024/25
NHS Scotland staff qualify for the 2024/25 5.5% pay rise if employed before April 1, 2024, including nurses, doctors, allied health, and support staff roles.
Eligibility includes full-time, part-time, and bank staff employed under Agenda for Change. Staff on temporary contracts outside this framework may have different arrangements, but the majority of healthcare professionals qualify.
The pay rise was backdated to April 2024 and appeared in subsequent payrolls, ensuring staff received both their increment and back pay. Here’s a breakdown of how it applied across roles:
- Doctors – around 5.5%, with some senior grades receiving slightly higher incremental adjustments.
- Nurses and midwives – 5.5%, recognising the challenging frontline work they carried out.
- Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, radiographers, etc.) – 5.5%, maintaining consistent pay progression across healthcare disciplines.
- Support and administrative staff – 5.5%, reflecting their essential contribution to the smooth running of services.
This rise was designed to boost take-home pay and strengthen recruitment and retention across NHS Scotland, acknowledging the dedication of those who kept the health service running.
Impact on NHS Staff
NHS Scotland staff received a 5.5% pay rise in 2024/25, boosting wages, morale, and retention while helping address workforce shortages with inflation-linked pay.
The 5.5% increase across all bands improved take-home pay, helping staff manage rising living costs. It also recognized their hard work, boosting morale and job satisfaction.
Competitive pay supports retention by encouraging experienced staff to stay, while higher salaries make NHS roles more attractive to new recruits.
By easing financial pressures, the rise allows staff to focus on delivering quality patient care. Nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and support staff all benefited, fostering a sense of fairness across the service.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the NHS Scotland pay rise 2024/25?
All staff on Agenda for Change contracts are eligible for the 5.5% pay increase.
When will the pay rise reflect in salary payments?
Effective from April 1, 2024, with backdated adjustments applied shortly after.
How do I calculate my new salary after the rise?
Multiply your current salary by 5.5% and add it to your existing pay.
Does the pay rise help with staff retention?
Yes, it encourages staff to stay and attracts new healthcare professionals.
Are all pay bands affected equally?
Yes, Bands 1 through 9 received the same 5.5% uplift.
