Assumptions and pay data
Pay data: NHS Agenda for Change. Band 5: £32,073 to £39,043 over 3 pay points, rates from 1/4/2026. Checked 9/10/2026.
- HCAS from 1/4/2026 (NHS Employers pay scales 2026/27): inner London 20% of basic pay, between £5,794 and £8,746 a year; outer London 15%, £4,870 to £6,137; fringe 5%, £1,346 to £2,270. The calculator rounds the percentage up to the pound, then applies the minimum or maximum.
- AfC pays unsocial hours per hour worked, not as a share of salary: for Bands 4 to 9, time plus 30% for Saturdays and weekday nights (8pm to 6am) and time plus 60% for Sundays and public holidays (section 2, table 2). The box here takes one percentage of annual pay as a rough stand-in.
- All amounts are full-time yearly figures, before tax and pension.
Allowances & Enhancements Calculator
EnglandNHS Agenda for Change employersFramework from 1/4/2026
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Guide for Staff Nurse
This guide explains how allowances and enhancements sit on top of basic pay for Staff Nurse on Band 5 at NHS. Select only enhancements that apply to your rota, location and contract.
Enhancements for Staff Nurse
As Staff Nurse at NHS, total pay often includes enhancements on top of basic band pay on Band 5. Eligibility depends on your rota, location and contract. The calculator adds selected allowances to illustrative basic pay from NHS Agenda for Change.
AfC enhancements
Section 2 of the Agenda for Change handbook sets unsocial hours rates, and on-call pay is agreed locally. HCAS in England is a percentage of basic pay with annual minima and maxima by zone (inner London, outer London, fringe). Check NHS Employers for current percentages and caps.
Stacking rules
Employers have rules on which allowances can be combined. This tool adds selected items to your base pay for illustration. Use your band and spine point, or enter your payslip gross as the base.
Example scenario
Example: £32,073 base pay plus an illustrative 5% add-on (£1,604), £33,677 in all. The calculator itself opens with no allowances added.
| Base band pay (example) | £32,073 |
|---|---|
| Illustrative allowance add-on (5%) | £1,604 |
| Total gross (example) | £33,677 |
Frequently asked questions
How much HCAS would I get?
At £32,073, fringe is 5%, £1,604; outer London is 15%, £4,811, which is below the £4,870 minimum, so you get £4,870; inner London is 20%, £6,415. At the top of Band 5, £39,043, inner London HCAS is £7,809.
Which HCAS zone am I in?
It depends on where you work. AfC lists which areas fall in the inner London, outer London and fringe zones, and your employer confirms yours.
Does the unsocial hours box use the AfC rates?
Not directly. For Bands 4 to 9, AfC pays time plus 30% for each hour worked on a Saturday or between 8pm and 6am on a weekday, and time plus 60% on Sundays and public holidays. The box takes one percentage of annual pay, so estimate it from your rota or last year's payslips.
Are the results gross or net? Do you store my data?
Unless this page says otherwise, figures are gross (before tax, National Insurance and pension). Your calculator inputs and results stay in your browser and are not stored. We only collect your name and email if you choose to give them, for example to download your results or sign up for email updates. We store them with MailerLite, our email provider, along with the page you were on. See our privacy policy.
About this role
What is a Staff Nurse?
A Staff Nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who delivers direct patient care in hospitals, community or primary care. They assess patients, plan and deliver care, administer treatments and medications, and work within multidisciplinary teams. Most are on AFC Band 5.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Staff nursing offers variety, patient contact and clear progression. Pay and satisfaction vary by specialty, trust and location. Many progress to Band 6 (e.g. Charge Nurse, specialist roles) or into advanced practice.
What allowances or extras apply?
Allowances and enhancements vary by employer and role. Use the calculator above to add common allowances to your base pay.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not financial or career advice. Your payslip and contract decide what you are actually paid.