Radiography Salary UK 2026/27: NHS Pay Bands, ONS ASHE Median and Take-Home Pay

Understanding Radiography Salary in the UK

When researching a career in radiography, you will encounter several different figures: advertised NHS band salaries, median earnings from official surveys, and take-home pay after deductions. This article explains what each measure means and how they relate to the actual radiography salary you might expect.

NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands (2026/27)

The vast majority of radiographers in the UK work for the NHS and are paid under the Agenda for Change (AfC) system. NHS Employers has published the 2026/27 pay scales, effective from 1 April 2026. These are the advertised salary ranges for full-time roles.

• Band 5 – Entry level for newly qualified diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers: £32,073 to £39,043 per year. Hourly rate from £16.40.
• Band 6 – Specialist radiographer, the typical career grade for hospital staff: £39,959 to £48,117. Hourly rate from £20.44 to £24.61.
• Band 7 – Advanced practitioner or reporting radiographer: £49,387 to £56,515. Hourly rate up to £28.90.
• Band 8a – Consultant radiographer: £57,528.

These figures are for England (excluding London weighting). Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) add 5% or 20% of basic salary for inner and outer London respectively. Scottish NHS staff are paid on a separate, higher scale (see below).

ONS ASHE Median and Mean Earnings

The Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides the most authoritative picture of what radiographers actually earn across the whole UK economy, including private sector and locum work. The 2025 provisional data for medical radiographers shows:

• Median gross annual pay: £44,324
• Mean gross annual pay: £43,386
• 10th percentile: £26,085
• Median hourly rate: £24.83

These figures are higher than the bottom of Band 5 because they include experienced radiographers at higher bands and those in senior roles. The median of £44,324 sits comfortably within Band 6, confirming that most radiographers progress beyond the entry level.

Take-Home Pay After Tax and Pension

Gross salary is not what lands in your bank account. For NHS radiographers, deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance, and the NHS Pension contribution (9.8% for Band 6 in 2026/27). Using standard assumptions (no student loan, no London weighting), take-home pay for 2026/27 is:

• Band 5 entry: £24,483 net per year (£2,040 per month)
• Band 5 top: £28,570 net (£2,381 per month)
• Band 6 entry: £29,157 net (£2,430 per month)
• Band 6 top: £34,391 net (£2,866 per month)
• Band 7 entry: £35,206 net (£2,934 per month)
• Band 7 top: £39,708 net (£3,309 per month)

These figures are from nhspaybands.org.uk calculations based on HMRC rates and NHS pension tiers. Moving from the top of Band 5 to the top of Band 6 adds about £5,822 a year in take-home pay.

Regional Variations

ONS ASHE reveals significant regional differences in radiography pay. The highest median annual earnings are in the East of England (£53,607), followed by Scotland (£47,035), the South West (£46,738), and the North West (£46,652). London’s median is £43,084 – lower than several other regions despite higher living costs, though London weighting in NHS roles boosts take-home. The lowest medians are in the East Midlands (£34,167) and South East (£37,639). Wales did not have a reliable median figure in the provisional data.

Scotland: Higher Gross, Different Tax

Scottish NHS pay scales for 2026/27 are notably higher than England’s:

• Band 5: £34,544 to £43,039
• Band 6: £43,231 to £52,679
• Band 7: £52,845 to £61,466

However, Scotland has its own Income Tax bands (starter, basic, intermediate, higher), which can result in slightly different net pay compared to England. Radiographers considering a move north should factor in both the higher gross and the tax structure.

What Public Statistics Measure vs. Advertised Pay

It is important to distinguish between advertised pay (NHS band ranges) and actual earnings (ONS ASHE medians). Advertised salaries are the minimum and maximum for a role, but most radiographers do not start at the top of a band. ONS ASHE captures the real distribution, including those who have progressed through bands, taken on additional responsibilities, or work in private practice. The median of £44,324 is about 8% above the UK full-time median of £39,039, placing radiographers in the top 45% of earners.

For more context on how radiography compares to other professions, visit our salary data page. You can also explore the salary index to see where radiography sits relative to other healthcare roles.

Caveats and Considerations

• ONS ASHE data is provisional and may be revised. It covers all medical radiographers, not just NHS diagnostic radiographers.
• NHS pay scales are for full-time (37.5 hours/week) staff. Part-time, overtime, unsocial hours, and on-call allowances will change actual earnings.
• Take-home calculations assume standard NHS Pension membership and no student loan. If you have a student loan (Plan 2 or Plan 5), monthly deductions will be higher.
• London weighting and HCAS can add several thousand pounds to gross pay, but also increase tax and NI.
• Private sector and agency radiographers may earn more or less than NHS rates; ONS ASHE includes these.

Summary

The radiography salary in the UK varies by band, region, and experience. Newly qualified radiographers start at around £32,073 (Band 5), while the median across all radiographers is £44,324. Most hospital radiographers reach Band 6 (£39,959–£48,117) within a few years. Take-home pay after tax, NI, and pension is typically 70–76% of gross. Scottish radiographers earn higher gross salaries but face different tax bands. Always check official sources like NHS Employers and ONS ASHE for the most current figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for a newly qualified radiographer in the NHS?

Newly qualified diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in the NHS start on Band 5 of Agenda for Change. For 2026/27, the entry point is £32,073 gross per year, rising to £39,043 at the top of the band. Most radiographers progress to Band 6 after about two years, which is the career grade for hospital radiographers.

How does radiography pay compare to the UK average salary?

According to ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data, the median gross annual pay for medical radiographers is £44,324, which is about 8% above the UK full-time median of £39,039. This places radiographers in the top 45% of UK earners. However, advertised NHS band salaries may start lower, especially for newly qualified staff.

Do radiographers in Scotland earn more than in England?

Yes, Scottish NHS pay scales are consistently higher than English ones for the same Agenda for Change bands. For 2026/27, Scottish Band 5 ranges from £34,544 to £43,039, compared to £32,073–£39,043 in England. Scottish Band 6 tops at £52,679 versus £48,117 in England. However, Scotland has different Income Tax bands, which affect take-home pay.