Band 8a Pay Calculator - Northern Ireland 2026/27
Take-Home Pay After Tax, NI, Pension, and Student Loans.
| Payments | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay 162.9 hrs at £28.48/hr | £4,641 |
| Deductions | Amount |
|---|---|
| PAYE Tax | £619 |
| National Insurance | £260 |
| NHS Pension 10.7% Tier 10.7% of £4,641 pensionable pay | £497 |
In simple terms
As a Band 8a in Northern Ireland on 37.5 hours a week, your basic hourly rate is £28.48. After tax, NI, and NHS pension, you'd take home roughly £3,265 a month, or £39,175 over the year.
Please note: Showing latest available 2025/26 HSCNI rates. The 2026/27 award is pending.
Estimates only. Your payslip may differ depending on tax code, trust payroll, and how unsocial hours are recorded.
About Band 8a pay in Northern Ireland
Band 8a roles commonly include Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Matron, Principal Clinical Psychologist. For 2026/27 in Northern Ireland, this band pays £55,690 to £62,682 basic across 3 pay points before tax, National Insurance, pension, student loans, or unsocial enhancements.
Full-time (37.5 hours), tax code 1257L, pension on, no extras: about £3,265 a month take-home at the first pay point.
Northern Ireland pay is set through the HSCNI / Department of Health (NI) process, so published points and award timing can differ from Great Britain. Use the calculator above to set contracted hours, shifts, and deductions for an estimated monthly and annual take-home figure.
For shift enhancements, see the unsocial hours pay guide. To weigh two offers, use the job comparison calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Band 8a basic salary in Northern Ireland for 2026/27?
Under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scale in Northern Ireland, Band 8a basic annual pay ranges from £55,690 to £62,682 depending on pay point and length of service. Figures are gross basic salary before tax, pension, and enhancements.
What jobs are typically paid at Band 8a in the NHS?
Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Matron, Principal Clinical Psychologist
How much is Band 8a take-home pay after tax in Northern Ireland?
Take-home pay depends on your pay point, tax code, NHS pension tier, student loan plan, and any unsocial hours. UK income tax and National Insurance rates apply. On a full-time 37.5-hour contract with tax code 1257L, NHS pension on, and no student loan or unsocial hours, entry is about £3,265 a month (£39,175 a year) and top of band about £3,574 a month (£42,889 a year). Change the settings above if your hours or deductions differ.
Does Band 8a receive unsocial hours enhancements in the NHS?
Yes. Under Section 2 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service, eligible staff receive percentage uplifts for night, Saturday, Sunday, and bank holiday work based on their band. Enter your typical shift counts in the calculator to see how enhancements affect gross and net pay.