Midwifery Salary UK 2026/27: Gross Pay, Take-Home and Common Deductions

Understanding Midwifery Salary in the UK

If you are considering a career as a midwife or are already working in the profession, knowing your midwifery salary – both gross and take-home – is essential for financial planning. This guide breaks down the typical pay scales, deductions, and what you can expect to receive after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions for the 2026/27 tax year.

Gross Salary: NHS Bands and ONS Data

Midwives in the UK are predominantly employed by the NHS under the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. The Royal College of Midwives negotiates pay with each devolved nation, so bands are similar but not identical across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

For 2026/27, the NHS pay bands for midwives in England are:

• Band 5 (newly qualified): Entry £32,073, top £39,043
• Band 6 (community midwife): Entry £39,959, top £48,117
• Band 7 (team leader/specialist): Entry £46,148, top £56,515
• Band 8a (head of midwifery): Entry £53,755, top £64,750

Beyond NHS bands, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides a broader view. The median full-time midwifery salary across all employers is £46,990 per year, with an average of £48,988. This data covers about 21,000 employee jobs and is considered precise (CV 3.7%).

Take-Home Pay After Deductions

Your take-home pay is the amount that lands in your bank account after three main deductions: Income Tax, employee National Insurance (NI), and your NHS Pension contribution. Student loan repayments may also apply if you have a Plan 2 or Plan 5 loan.

Income Tax (2026/27 rates):

• Personal Allowance: £12,570 (0% tax)
• Basic rate: 20% on £12,571 to £50,270
• Higher rate: 40% on £50,271 to £125,140
• Additional rate: 45% above £125,140

Employee National Insurance:

• 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270
• 2% on earnings above £50,270

NHS Pension Scheme 2015 contributions (tiered):

• Up to £13,259: 5.1%
• £13,260–£26,831: 5.7%
• £26,832–£32,691: 8.3%
• £32,692–£49,078: 9.8%
• £49,079–£62,924: 10.7%
• Above £62,924: 12.5%

Using these rates, here are typical take-home figures for midwives in England (excluding London weighting and unsocial hours):

• Band 5 entry (£32,073): Income tax £3,368, NI £1,560, pension £2,662 (8.3%) → take-home £24,483/year (£2,040/month)
• Band 6 top (£48,117): Income tax £6,166, NI £2,467, pension £4,715 (9.8%) → take-home £34,391/year (£2,866/month)
• Band 7 top (£56,515): Income tax £7,619, NI £3,020, pension £6,047 (10.7%) → take-home £39,829/year (£3,319/month)
• Median midwifery salary (£46,990): Estimated take-home after tax and NI only (no pension) is about £3,113/month or £37,356/year.

Scotland Differences

Scottish NHS midwives are paid on separate scales, typically higher than England. For 2026/27:

• Band 5: £34,544 to £43,039
• Band 6: £43,231 to £52,679

However, Scottish Income Tax has an intermediate rate of 42% on earnings above £43,663 (instead of 40% in England). This means a Band 6 top midwife in Scotland earning £52,679 would pay more tax on the portion above £43,663, resulting in slightly lower take-home than the English equivalent despite higher gross pay. For example, a Band 6 top in Scotland takes home about £34,670 per year, compared to £34,769 in England.

London Weighting and Other Allowances

Midwives working in London or other high-cost areas receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). For Band 6, the London gross rises to £44,806 (entry) and £55,378 (top), with take-home of £35,780 and £42,677 respectively. Unsocial hours, overtime, and on-call payments can further increase gross pay but are not included in base salary estimates.

Pension and Student Loans

The NHS Pension is a defined-benefit scheme with an employer contribution of around 23.7%. Your employee contribution reduces your take-home pay but builds valuable retirement benefits. Student loan repayments (Plan 2: 9% above £27,295; Plan 5: 9% above £25,000) would further reduce net income if applicable.

For a more personalised estimate, use our take-home calculator or explore salary data for different bands and locations.

Summary

A midwifery salary in the UK ranges from around £32,000 for newly qualified to over £64,000 for senior roles. After tax, NI, and pension, take-home pay typically falls between £24,500 and £44,000 per year. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical midwifery salary in the UK for 2026/27?

According to ONS ASHE provisional data, the median full-time midwifery salary is £46,990 per year. NHS Agenda for Change bands set starting salaries for newly qualified midwives (Band 5) at £32,073, rising to £48,117 at the top of Band 6 (community midwife). Senior roles like Band 7 team leaders earn up to £56,515, and Band 8a heads of midwifery up to £64,750.

How much take-home pay does a midwife receive after tax, NI, and pension?

Take-home pay depends on the band and location. For a Band 5 entry midwife in England, gross £32,073 yields about £24,483 per year after income tax, National Insurance, and an 8.3% NHS pension contribution. A Band 6 top midwife (£48,117) takes home roughly £34,391 per year. The median midwifery salary of £46,990 gives an estimated take-home of around £3,113 per month before pension, or about £37,356 annually after tax and NI alone.

Does midwifery salary differ in Scotland?

Yes. NHS Scotland has its own pay scales, typically higher than England. For 2026/27, Band 5 entry is £34,544 (vs £32,073 in England) and Band 6 top is £52,679 (vs £48,117). However, Scottish income tax has an intermediate rate of 42% on earnings above £43,663, which can reduce take-home for midwives at the top of Band 6 and above. Overall, gross pay is higher but net pay may be similar or slightly lower depending on the band.