What is the salary for NHS occupational therapist Band 5 roles?

NHS Band 5 roles pay between £32,073 and £39,043 per year under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scale, plus additional payments for unsocial hours, on-calls, and high-cost area supplements.

What qualifications do I need for NHS occupational therapist Band 5 jobs?

Band 5 roles require a relevant degree and professional registration (NMC for nurses, HCPC for allied health professionals, etc.). These are the entry-level positions for newly qualified practitioners.

What qualifications do I need to work as an NHS occupational therapist?

You need a degree in occupational therapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and HCPC registration. Most NHS OT roles start at Band 5 for newly qualified practitioners.

What settings do NHS occupational therapists work in?

NHS occupational therapists work in hospitals (acute and rehabilitation), community services, mental health trusts, and specialist services. Settings include wards, outpatient clinics, patients' homes, and specialist units.

Band 5 Occupational Therapist Jobs in the NHS

55 live vacancies at this grade · 46 NHS employers · salary £32,073 - £39,043

Open Positions

£31k - £50k

Salary Range

NHS Trusts

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What to expect from Band 5 Occupational Therapist roles

Band 5 is where most newly qualified registered professionals start: nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, dietitians, and others. Posts involve autonomous clinical practice under supervision, with progression to Band 6 typically after 2-4 years. For occupational therapist candidates, this usually means matching the advertised responsibilities to your evidence before applying: the same band can cover different service settings, rota patterns, and levels of supervision across NHS employers.

Job Clerk is currently tracking 55 live band 5 occupational therapist vacancies across 46 NHS employers. Use this page to compare the broad market, then narrow into a city page when you need local salary expectations, employers, and closing-date pressure.

Recent salary data for band 5 occupational therapist roles ranges from about £31,049 to £50,387 per year, depending on employer, setting, rota pattern, and high-cost area supplements.

Band expectations

Professional registration with the relevant body (NMC, HCPC, GPhC)
Degree-level qualification approved by your regulator
Evidence of clinical competence from placements or supervised practice
Readiness to manage an autonomous caseload under supervision

Role evidence to prepare

Functional assessment and goal-setting with patients
Home environment assessment and discharge planning
Equipment prescription and housing adaptation recommendations
Specialist group or individual intervention programmes

Typical requirements

HCPC registration as an occupational therapist
Subspecialty experience relevant to the post (physical, mental health, paediatrics, hand therapy)
Postgraduate training for specialist or advanced roles
RCOT membership (recommended but not essential)

Hiring locations

Current band 5 occupational therapist demand is visible in Oxford, Chester, London, Ashford, and Southampton. Location pages help you compare local trusts, travel expectations, and live job counts before applying.

Employer mix

Recent listings include employers such as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Highland, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Review each advert for the person specification, application method, and whether the post closes early after enough applications.

Band 5 Occupational Therapist Jobs by City

Browse band 5 occupational therapist jobs in the UK's biggest NHS hubs.

Band 5 Occupational Therapist in London

Where Band 5 Occupational Therapist Roles Are Hiring

Oxford, South East2 jobs

Chester, North West2 jobs

London, London2 jobs

Ashford, South East2 jobs

Southampton, South East2 jobs

Radlett, East2 jobs

Basingstoke, South East2 jobs

Edinburgh, Scotland2 jobs

Carshalton, London2 jobs

Broadford, Scotland1 jobs

Chesterfield, East Midlands1 jobs

Boston, East Midlands1 jobs

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