NHS Locum vs Permanent Pay Calculator
Compare agency or locum hourly rates with permanent Agenda for Change salaries with our **NHS Locum vs Permanent Calculator** for **2026/27**. While bank and locum work offers higher hourly rates, it lacks paid annual leave, sick pay, and the lucrative **23.7% employer pension contribution**. This free tool calculates the "true" financial value of both contracts to help you decide which is more profitable.
Reference Salary Tables & Quick Facts
NHS Locum Overview & Calculation Basis
This calculator operates under the official 2026/27 Agenda for Change and NHS Terms and Conditions of Service. All calculations are performed in real time as you adjust inputs.
| Deduction / Allowance | Rate / Threshold (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 (Standard Tax Code: 1257L) |
| National Insurance | 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 (2% above) |
| NHS Pension Tiers | 5.2% to 12.5% based on pensionable pay |
Frequently Asked Questions
NHS Payroll Deductions & Tax Mitigation
Your monthly NHS take-home pay is affected by various statutory and voluntary payroll deductions. Understanding how these are calculated can help you optimize your net income:
Salary Sacrifice Benefits
Schemes like Cycle to Work or lease cars are deducted from your gross pay before tax and NI are calculated, reducing your taxable income.
Pension Tax Relief
NHS Pension contributions are deducted from your gross salary before income tax is calculated, providing automatic tax relief at your marginal rate.
Student Loan Repayments
Student loans (Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, or Postgraduate) are calculated on your gross earnings above the specific plan threshold and deducted automatically.
