Salary Comparison Calculator
Compare take-home pay across two Agenda for Change pay bands or contracted hours. Based on 2026/27 pay scales.
Estimates based on 2026/27 England AfC pay scales, standard income tax and NI rates. Does not include student loans or salary sacrifice.
How comparison works
This tool calculates the net take-home pay for two different NHS pay options and shows the difference. Both options use the same 2026/27 tax, NI, and pension rates.
It's useful when considering a promotion, band change, or adjusting your contracted hours. The comparison accounts for how higher pay bands push earnings into higher tax brackets.
Note: NHS pension contributions are tiered — moving to a higher band may also increase your pension contribution percentage, which affects the net difference.
Can I compare different hours?
Yes — each option has its own weekly hours selector, so you can compare full-time at one band against part-time at another.
Is pension included?
Yes, both options include NHS pension by default using the tiered rates based on whole-time equivalent salary.
Why is the net difference smaller than gross?
Higher earners pay more tax, NI, and pension. A £5,000 gross increase might only yield £3,000 extra take-home.
Does this include unsocial hours pay?
No — this covers basic AfC salary only. Enhancements for nights, weekends, and overtime are not included.
Why you can trust this tool
Official Pay Scales
Uses 2026/27 AfC pay points published by NHS Employers.
Fair Comparison
Both options use identical tax, NI, and pension formulas for a true like-for-like comparison.
No Data Stored
All calculations run locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server.
Sources & references
NHS Employers
2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales
HMRC
Income tax and National Insurance rates 2026/27
NHSBSA
NHS Pension Scheme contribution tiers
Figures are estimates. Always verify with your payroll department before making career decisions.