Midwife Salary UK: How to Read the Headline Rate in 2026/27

Understanding the midwife salary UK headline rate

When you search for “midwife salary uk”, you’ll often see a single headline figure – but that number can mean different things depending on where you look. This guide explains how to read the headline rate, what it includes, and what it leaves out, using the most recent official data for 2026/27.

The headline: NHS Agenda for Change pay bands

Most NHS midwives in England are paid under the Agenda for Change framework. The 2026/27 pay scales, published by NHS Employers, show that a midwife typically works on Band 5 or Band 6. The headline annual salaries are:

• Band 5: £32,073 (entry) to £39,043 (top step)
• Band 6: £39,959 (entry) to £48,117 (top step)

These are gross figures – the amount before any deductions. The corresponding hourly rates range from £16.40 (Band 5 entry) to £24.61 (Band 6 top). For comparison, the UK Minimum Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from April 2026, so even the lowest NHS midwife rate is well above the statutory floor.

What the headline doesn’t tell you

The headline “midwife salary uk” often quoted in job adverts or news articles is the gross annual salary for a full-time role (37.5 hours per week). But your actual take-home pay will be lower after deductions for:

• Income tax
• Employee National Insurance
• NHS Pension Scheme contributions (typically 7.1% to 9.3% depending on earnings)

Using the 2026/27 England scales, a Band 5 midwife at entry takes home roughly £24,483 a year (about £2,040 a month). At the top of Band 6, take-home rises to around £34,391 a year (£2,866 a month). These figures assume standard pension membership and no student loan repayments. If you work in London or other high-cost areas, you may also receive a Higher Cost Area Supplement (HCAS), which adds between 5% and 20% of basic salary.

How midwife pay compares to average UK earnings

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £39,039 in April 2025. A midwife on Band 5 entry (£32,073) is below that national median, but progression to Band 6 (£39,959 and above) brings pay in line with or above the median. It’s important to remember that midwifery is a graduate profession with statutory regulation, and pay reflects the level of responsibility and skill required.

Statutory minimum rates vs advertised salaries

The headline midwife salary is an advertised rate set by the NHS, not a statutory minimum. By contrast, the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are legal minimums that apply to all workers. For 2026/27, those rates are:

• National Living Wage (21+): £12.71 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (18–20): £10.85 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (under 18): £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice rate: £8.00 per hour

A midwife’s hourly rate is always higher than these minimums. However, if you are considering a role outside the NHS – for example in private maternity care or agency work – the headline salary may be different, and you should check whether it meets or exceeds the statutory minimum.

Regional and national variations

NHS pay scales differ across the four UK nations. The figures above are for England. In Scotland, midwives are paid on a separate scale ranging from £34,544 to £52,679 for 2026/27. Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own arrangements, though they often follow similar bands. Always check the relevant NHS employer’s website for the exact rates in your area.

How to use this information

When you see a “midwife salary uk” headline, ask yourself:

• Is it gross or net? Most advertised salaries are gross.
• Which band and step does it refer to? Entry-level Band 5 is different from experienced Band 6.
• Does it include London weighting or other allowances? These can add thousands.
• What deductions will apply? Use a take-home pay calculator to estimate your net income.

For more detailed breakdowns of NHS pay bands and take-home calculations, see our pay guides and pay data pages. You can also explore other topics on our topics page.

The bottom line

The midwife salary uk headline rate for 2026/27 ranges from about £32,000 to £48,000 gross per year, depending on experience and location. That is significantly above the National Living Wage and in line with or above the UK median full-time earnings. But your actual take-home pay will be around 70% of the headline figure after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. Always look beyond the headline to understand what you will really earn.