NHS Pro Rata Salary Calculator
If you work part-time in the NHS, your salary is determined by your Agenda for Change (AfC) band and pay point — but what actually lands in your bank account depends on your contracted hours relative to the 37.5-hour full-time standard. The job advert and your contract letter will almost always quote the full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for your band. This calculator uses that FTE figure, your actual hours, and the 2024/25 NHS pension contribution tiers to show you exactly what your pro rata pay looks like.
NHS Pro Rata Salary Calculator
£0.00
Pro rata annual NHS salary (gross)
FTE ratio: —
These figures are gross — before income tax and National Insurance. For a full net take-home estimate you would need to factor in your tax code and NI category, which are specific to your circumstances. What this calculator does well is give you the accurate gross baseline, including the NHS pension deduction that is often the most confusing part of an NHS payslip.
How Pro Rata Pay Works Under Agenda for Change
Under AfC, pay is built on a single principle: everyone on the same band and pay point earns the same hourly rate, regardless of how many hours they work. Your pro rata salary is simply that hourly rate multiplied by your actual contracted hours across 52 weeks.
The formula:
Hourly rate = FTE annual salary ÷ (37.5 × 52)Pro rata annual salary = Hourly rate × Your contracted weekly hours × 52
Or expressed differently: your pro rata salary equals your FTE salary multiplied by your FTE ratio (your hours divided by 37.5).
Example: A Band 5 nurse at the starting pay point (£29,970 FTE) working 30 hours per week:
- FTE ratio: 30 ÷ 37.5 = 0.8
- Pro rata annual salary: £29,970 × 0.8 = £23,976
- Monthly: £1,998.00 | Weekly: £461.54 | Hourly: £15.37
One important point: NHS enhancements — the additional pay for working nights, weekends, and bank holidays — are not pro rata’d in the same way as basic pay. They are calculated based on the actual unsocial hours you work, so a part-time worker can earn proportionally more in enhancements if their shift pattern happens to fall heavily on weekends. This calculator covers basic salary only; enhancements would need to be calculated separately from your rota.
For general pro rata calculations on non-NHS contracts, try our full Pro Rata Salary Calculator which covers any employment type.
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands 2024/25 (England)
The table below shows the current AfC pay points for England, effective from 1 April 2024. Pay bands for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland received the same 5.5% uplift but are set under separate pay circulars — if you are in a devolved nation, enter your FTE salary directly into the calculator above rather than using the band selector.
| Band | Starting Pay | Mid Pay Point | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £23,615 | — | £23,615 |
| Band 3 | £24,071 | — | £25,674 |
| Band 4 | £26,530 | — | £29,114 |
| Band 5 | £29,970 | £32,324 | £36,483 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £39,405 | £44,962 |
| Band 7 | £46,148 | £48,526 | £52,809 |
| Band 8a | £53,755 | £56,454 | £60,504 |
| Band 8b | £62,215 | £66,246 | £72,293 |
| Band 8c | £74,290 | £78,814 | £85,601 |
| Band 8d | £88,168 | £93,572 | £101,677 |
| Band 9 | £105,385 | £111,740 | £121,271 |
Note: Band 2 is a single pay point and closed to new entrants. Intermediate pay points for Bands 8a–9 were introduced mid-year in 2024/25 and implemented in pay from November 2024. Pay scales are reviewed annually — always verify against the current NHS Employers pay circulars before making employment decisions. Doctors and dentists are covered by separate DDRB arrangements and are not included here.
NHS Pension Contributions for Part-Time Staff
The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most valuable employment benefits in the UK, but for part-time workers the contribution structure can feel opaque — particularly since it changed significantly in recent years.
From 1 April 2024, NHS pension employee contributions are based on actual pensionable pay, not whole-time equivalent (WTE) pay. This matters enormously for part-time staff. Previously, your contribution rate was determined by what a full-time person in your band would earn, which often pushed part-timers into a higher tier than their actual take-home warranted. The current system means your rate reflects what you actually earn.
2024/25 NHS pension employee contribution tiers:
| Actual annual pensionable pay | Contribution rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,259 | 5.2% |
| £13,260 – £26,831 | 6.5% |
| £26,832 – £32,691 | 8.3% |
| £32,692 – £49,078 | 9.8% |
| £49,079 – £62,924 | 10.7% |
| £62,925 and above | 12.5% |
What this means in practice: A Band 5 nurse working 30 hours per week has a pro rata salary of £23,976. Under the current rules, they fall into the 6.5% tier — contributing £1,558.44 per year (£129.87 per month). Had the old WTE-based rules still applied, their £29,970 FTE salary would have put them in the 8.3% tier, costing them significantly more despite the same take-home pay.
The contribution rate in the calculator’s auto mode is applied to your pro rata salary, consistent with current NHS BSA guidance. Rates are reviewed annually — if you need to verify the exact rate for the current year, check with NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA).
Pro Rata Salary Worked Examples — Bands 5, 6 and 7
The following examples use the 2024/25 England pay scales. All figures are gross (before tax and NI). Pension contributions shown use the 2024/25 automatic tier based on actual pro rata salary.
Band 5 (Starting: £29,970 FTE | Top: £36,483 FTE) — Full-time hours: 37.5
| Contracted Hours | FTE Ratio | Pro Rata Annual | Monthly | Pension Rate | Monthly After Pension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.5 (full time) | 1.0 | £29,970.00 | £2,497.50 | 8.3% | £2,290.50 |
| 30 hrs/wk | 0.8 | £23,976.00 | £1,998.00 | 6.5% | £1,868.55 |
| 22.5 hrs/wk | 0.6 | £17,982.00 | £1,498.50 | 6.5% | £1,400.80 |
| 18.75 hrs/wk | 0.5 | £14,985.00 | £1,248.75 | 6.5% | £1,167.18 |
Band 6 (Starting: £37,338 FTE | Top: £44,962 FTE) — Full-time hours: 37.5
| Contracted Hours | FTE Ratio | Pro Rata Annual | Monthly | Pension Rate | Monthly After Pension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.5 (full time) | 1.0 | £37,338.00 | £3,111.50 | 9.8% | £2,806.67 |
| 30 hrs/wk | 0.8 | £29,870.40 | £2,489.20 | 8.3% | £2,282.52 |
| 22.5 hrs/wk | 0.6 | £22,402.80 | £1,866.90 | 6.5% | £1,745.35 |
| 18.75 hrs/wk | 0.5 | £18,669.00 | £1,555.75 | 6.5% | £1,454.63 |
Band 7 (Starting: £46,148 FTE | Top: £52,809 FTE) — Full-time hours: 37.5
| Contracted Hours | FTE Ratio | Pro Rata Annual | Monthly | Pension Rate | Monthly After Pension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.5 (full time) | 1.0 | £46,148.00 | £3,845.67 | 9.8% | £3,468.36 |
| 30 hrs/wk | 0.8 | £36,918.40 | £3,076.53 | 8.3% | £2,821.30 |
| 22.5 hrs/wk | 0.6 | £27,688.80 | £2,307.40 | 8.3% | £2,115.53 |
| 18.75 hrs/wk | 0.5 | £23,074.00 | £1,922.83 | 6.5% | £1,797.85 |
Rounding applied to 2 decimal places throughout. Monthly figures = annual ÷ 12. Pension applied to gross pro rata salary in line with 2024/25 NHS BSA guidance.
If your role has an FTE component attached (for example, 0.6 WTE stated in the job description), multiply the band salary by that decimal directly — it gives the same result as the hours calculation above. See our guide on what FTE means if you are unfamiliar with the term.
Common Questions About NHS Part-Time Pay
Is my NHS job advertisement salary the FTE or the actual salary?
Almost always the FTE (full-time equivalent). NHS job adverts are required to state the full-time band salary, which is then pro-rated to your actual contracted hours. The exception is roles advertised with a specific hours figure in the headline — in those cases the salary shown may already reflect the pro-rated amount. If in doubt, check the job description body copy or contact the recruiting trust’s HR team before applying.
Does my pay band change if I reduce my hours?
No. Reducing your hours changes your salary, not your band or pay point. You stay at the same point on your pay band and receive the same hourly rate — your annual salary simply reflects fewer hours. Your incremental progression date also remains the same.
How is annual leave calculated for part-time NHS staff?
Leave entitlement under AfC is calculated in hours, not days, which makes it directly proportional for part-time staff. A full-time Band 5 nurse with five years’ NHS service accrues 202.5 hours of annual leave per year (27 days × 7.5 hours). Someone working 30 hours over 4 days per week would accrue the same number of hours, which equates to fewer days but the same total leave time. The detail on this sits in a separate area — see our guide on pro rata holiday and term-time-only salary for a full worked example.
Can I work additional hours above my contract?
Yes, additional hours up to 37.5 per week are generally referred to as “additional hours” (not overtime) and are paid at your standard hourly rate under AfC. Hours beyond 37.5 in a week are overtime and paid at time-and-a-third (or time-and-a-half for some trusts, depending on their local arrangements). Both types of additional hours are pensionable up to your WTE.
Does Scotland use the same pay bands?
Scotland uses AfC and received the same 5.5% uplift in 2024/25, but the pay circulars are set separately by the Scottish Government. Figures differ slightly due to historical divergences in the pay structure, and Scotland has been phasing in a reduction of the standard working week toward 36 hours. If you are in Scotland, enter your FTE salary from your contract directly into the calculator and adjust the full-time hours field to 36 if your trust has already moved to the new standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is NHS pro rata pay calculated?
Your hourly rate is calculated by dividing your FTE band salary by 37.5 (the standard full-time working week) and then by 52. Your pro rata annual salary is that hourly rate multiplied by your contracted weekly hours and then by 52. For example, a Band 6 nurse at the starting pay point (£37,338 FTE) working 25 hours per week earns £37,338 ÷ 37.5 ÷ 52 × 25 × 52 = £24,892 per year.
What is an FTE ratio in the NHS?
FTE stands for full-time equivalent. Your FTE ratio is your contracted hours divided by 37.5. Someone working 22.5 hours is 0.6 WTE. Your pro rata salary is your FTE band salary multiplied by that ratio. Our guide on what FTE means explains this in more detail.
Do NHS part-time workers get the same NHS pension?
You accrue the same type of pension (2015 NHS Pension Scheme for most current staff) and build up benefits on a career-average basis. The accrual rate is the same percentage of your pensionable pay regardless of hours. Part-time workers accrue pension for every hour they work, so the total pension earned will be smaller than a full-time worker’s — but the rules are the same.
Why does my payslip show a different pension percentage than I expected?
The most common reason is that your employer is using a different threshold assessment date, or the rate has been applied to a slightly different figure (such as a whole-month calculation rather than your annualised salary). If you believe your contribution rate is incorrect, cross-check your actual annual salary against the tier table above and raise it with your payroll department. The NHS BSA also has a calculator on their website for verification.
Do agency NHS workers get Agenda for Change pay?
Not automatically. Agency staff supplied through NHS Professionals or other frameworks may be paid at AfC-equivalent rates, but this depends on the agency contract and AWR (Agency Workers Regulations) qualifying period. If you are directly employed by an NHS trust on a substantive or bank contract, AfC rates apply. If you are agency-supplied, check your assignment rate directly with your agency.
What is the difference between substantive and bank pay in the NHS?
A substantive post is your permanent contracted role — this is where AfC pay, NHS pension, and all employment rights apply in full. Bank work is additional shifts worked through your trust’s staff bank, usually at an hourly rate that matches your substantive grade. Bank shifts are pensionable but paid separately, and the hours do not count toward your WTE for pro rata purposes. If you only work bank shifts with no substantive post, you are typically not enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme automatically — you would need to opt in.
Not in the NHS? Try our general Pro Rata Salary Calculator for any employment type, including part-time and job-share arrangements.
Working in a school on a term-time contract? We have a dedicated Term-Time Only Salary Calculator that accounts for your 38 or 39 contracted weeks.