Midwife salary 2026/27
A midwife's pay depends on the band, but also on the rota. Here is what the bands pay, and how on-call work in the community changes the picture.
Band 5, Band 6 and Band 7 compared
| Band and step | Salary | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| Band 5, entry | £32,073 | £2,040 |
| Band 5, intermediate | £34,592 | £2,177 |
| Band 5, top | £39,043 | £2,381 |
| Band 6, entry | £39,959 | £2,430 |
| Band 6, intermediate | £42,170 | £2,548 |
| Band 6, top | £48,117 | £2,866 |
| Band 7, entry | £49,387 | £2,934 |
| Band 7, intermediate | £51,932 | £3,078 |
| Band 7, top | £56,515 | £3,309 |
Full time, England, NHS Pension member, tax code 1257L, no unsocial hours or on-call.
The preceptorship step
Newly qualified midwives start at Band 5 and move to Band 6 once they complete their preceptorship, which normally takes about a year, rather than applying for a new post. The move lifts take-home by about £390 a month, from £2,040 to £2,430 at entry level.
Hospital rota or community on-call
Labour ward midwives are paid hourly for nights and weekends, like other NHS staff. Community midwives often carry an on-call commitment instead, which is paid as a percentage of basic pay plus call-out payments. Because the two are paid differently, the same band can give different monthly pay, so use the on-call option in the calculator with the figures from your own rota.
What an extra year is worth
A Band 6 midwife who reaches the top of the band has a gross salary of £48,117. After deductions, that is about £2,866 a month, which is £436 a month more than Band 6 entry.
Where a newly qualified midwife salary goes
| Each year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | £32,073 |
| NHS Pension contribution | £2,662 |
| Income tax and National Insurance | £4,928 |
| Take-home pay | £24,483 |
The pension contribution is not lost. It builds a defined benefit pension that pays out in retirement, and the employer pays in far more than you do. On-call payments and unsocial hours are extra and are not included here.
What a midwife does
Midwives care for women and babies through pregnancy, birth and the first weeks after. They lead the care in straightforward pregnancies and work with obstetricians when it becomes more complicated.
Where midwives work
- Labour wards and birth centres: supporting women in labour.
- Antenatal and postnatal wards: care before and after the birth.
- The community: clinics, home visits and home births.
- Specialist roles: safeguarding, bereavement or infant feeding.
How to become one
You register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Most train on a three-year midwifery degree. Registered nurses can take a shorter course, and some trusts offer a degree apprenticeship.
Common questions
How much does a newly qualified midwife earn?
£32,073 at Band 5 entry in England from April 2026, about £2,040 a month after deductions, before unsocial hours.
When do midwives move to Band 6?
Usually after completing their preceptorship, which normally takes about a year.
Is on-call work paid extra?
Yes. On-call availability and call-outs are paid on top of basic pay, so your monthly pay depends on your rota.