What is the salary for NHS speech and language 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 speech and language 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 speech and language therapist?

You need a degree in speech and language therapy approved by the HCPC and HCPC registration. Most NHS SLT roles start at Band 5 for newly qualified practitioners.

What areas can NHS speech and language therapists specialise in?

NHS SLTs can specialise in paediatrics, dysphagia (swallowing), voice disorders, fluency (stammering), learning disabilities, acquired neurological conditions, head and neck cancer, and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication).

Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist Jobs in the NHS

24 live vacancies at this grade · 19 NHS employers · salary £32,073 - £39,043

Open Positions

£32k - £48k

Salary Range

NHS Trusts

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What to expect from Band 5 Speech and Language 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 speech and language 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 24 live band 5 speech and language therapist vacancies across 19 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 speech and language therapist roles ranges from about £32,073 to £48,117 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

Dysphagia assessment and management (including videofluoroscopy and FEES)
Specialist assessment for voice, fluency, AAC, or acquired conditions
Training families, carers, and education staff in communication strategies
Managing a complex caseload across settings (ward, clinic, community, school)

Typical requirements

HCPC registration as a speech and language therapist
Dysphagia competency (essential for most acute hospital posts)
Subspecialty experience relevant to the post (paediatric, neuro, voice, AAC)
RCSLT membership (recommended but not essential)

Hiring locations

Current band 5 speech and language therapist demand is visible in London, Dawlish, Exeter, Gateshead, and Gloucester. Location pages help you compare local trusts, travel expectations, and live job counts before applying.

Employer mix

Recent listings include employers such as Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Whittington Health NHS Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Review each advert for the person specification, application method, and whether the post closes early after enough applications.

Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist Jobs by City

Browse band 5 speech and language therapist jobs in the UK's biggest NHS hubs.

Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist in London

Where Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist Roles Are Hiring

London, London4 jobs

Dawlish, South West3 jobs

Exeter, South West1 jobs

Gateshead, North East1 jobs

Gloucester, South West1 jobs

Guildford, South East1 jobs

Lincoln, East Midlands1 jobs

Manchester, North West1 jobs

St Ives, East of England1 jobs

TOTNES1 jobs

Walsall, West Midlands1 jobs

Warrington, England1 jobs

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