How much does a Band 3 clinical support worker earn?

In England, entry Band 3 basic is about £1,727 a month take-home on £25,760 a year (full-time, before unsocial hours). Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different pay points.

Clinical support workers usually sit on Band 3 — a step above Band 2 HCA. Table figures are full-time basic take-home only.

Take-home by nationFull-time basic, entry and top pay points — no unsocial hours

Estimates assume 37.5 hours a week, tax code 1257L, NHS pension on, no student loan, no London weighting and no unsocial hours. Northern Ireland may show the latest published year labelled in the table.
Nation Entry basic Entry take-home / mo Top basic Top take-home / mo
England2026/27 £25,760 £1,727 £27,476 £1,823
Scotland2026/27 £29,061 £1,879 £31,364 £2,005
Wales2026/27 £26,300 £1,757 £26,999 £1,796
Northern Ireland2025/26 £24,937 £1,681 £26,598 £1,774

About this role

Band 3 typically includes clinical support workers, maternity support workers, therapy assistants and phlebotomists. It is a different band from Band 2 HCA, with its own pay points.

What comes off

  • Income tax and National Insurance — Scotland uses different tax bands.
  • NHS pension — tiered contribution; see the pension guide.
  • Student loan — common for newly qualified staff; see the student loan guide.
  • London weighting (England) — if you work in a designated zone; see HCAS.

Out-of-hours pay

Ward and maternity support roles often include nights or weekends. Enhancements are paid on top of basic under Section 2. Model your shifts on the calculator rather than treating the table as a final payslip.

Read NHS unsocial hours (Section 2), then add your nights and weekend shifts on a nation calculator.

Progression

Common next steps are Band 4 nursing associate or assistant practitioner roles, or training toward registered nursing.

Open a calculatorAdd your hours and shifts

England Band 3 From £1,727 / mo at entry Scotland Band 3 From £1,879 / mo at entry Wales Band 3 From £1,757 / mo at entry Northern Ireland Band 3 From £1,681 / mo at entry

Common questions

Is a CSW the same as an HCA?

Not usually. HCAs are often Band 2; clinical support worker posts are commonly Band 3. Titles overlap between trusts, so check the AfC band on the advert.

Does Band 3 CSW pay include unsocial hours?

The comparison table does not. If you work nights or weekends, Section 2 enhancements increase gross pay before tax — add them in the calculator.

How does Band 3 compare with Band 2 take-home?

Band 3 basic is higher, but tax and pension also rise. Use the nation calculators or the HCA hub to compare side by side.