NHS provider and integrated care board (ICB) pay ranges for the financial year 2025/26 (02/2025)

Published on: 18 June 2025
Effective from: 1 April 2025

Access all versions of this publication here: NHS provider and integrated care board pay ranges.
This document forms part of the Very senior managers (VSM) pay framework

1. NHS provider organisations 

Director reporting levels 

Provider trusts within a large group model 

Level 1: Chief executive (overall accountable officer) of the main board of the trust or group of trusts. 

Level 2: Usually those main board director posts that report to the chief executive of the main board of the trust or group of trusts. This will include chief executives and managing directors of hospitals or other business units in a group model. Within group models, care should be taken to avoid paying site chief executives or managing directors more than stand-alone chief executives of equivalent-sized organisations. 

Level 3: Usually those other directors or very senior managers (VSM) posts that report to post holders in level 1 or 2, particularly in group settings. In most stand-alone provider trusts (those not currently in a group setting), roles at this level will be remunerated through Agenda for Change (AfC). 

Provider trusts 

Level 1: The chief executive of the trust (overall accountable officer). 

Level 2: Usually those director posts that report to the chief executive of the trust.  

Level 3: Usually those VSM posts that report to post holders in level 2. In most trusts, this level will be remunerated through AfC.  

Level 1: Chief executive officer (CEO) pay ranges 

Organisation turnover (£pa) Band Minimum (£pa)Operational Maximum (£pa) Exception zone (£pa) 
Up to £250 million £145,165 £200,997 £216,825 
£250 million – £499 million £156,331 £223,330 £243,929 
£500 million – £749 million £178,664 £245,663 £260,190 
£750 million – £1 billion £223,330 £256,830 £287,294 
Over £1 billion £245,663 £279,163 £308,976 

Level 2: Executive directors pay rangesboard directors / executive directors reporting to CEOs 

Organisation turnover (£pa) Band Minimum (£pa)Operational Maximum (£pa) Exception zone (£pa) 
Up to £250 million £100,499 £156,331 £184,302 
£250 million – £499 million £111,665 £167,498 £195,143 
£500 million – £749 million £122,832 £178,664 £205,984 
£750 million – £1 billion £133,998 £189,831 £216,825 
Over £1 billion £156,331 £206,581 £227,667 

Level 3: Executive Directors pay ranges – Executive directors reporting to a board director 

Organisation turnover (£pa) Band Minimum (£pa) Operational Maximum (£pa) Exception zone (£pa) 
Up to £250 million Agenda for Change or equivalent Agenda for Change or equivalent Agenda for Change or equivalent 
£250 million – £499 million Agenda for Change or equivalent Agenda for Change or equivalent Agenda for Change or equivalent 
£500 million – £749 million £111,665 £133,998 £135,516 
£750 million – £1 billion £117,249 £139,582 £146,357 
Over £1 billion £122,832 £150,749 £157,199 

2. Integrated care boards   

ICB CEO pay ranges 

Weighted population BandMinimum (£pa)Operational maximum (£pa) Exception zone (£pa) 
<1 million  £189,722 £214,115 £238,508 
1 million – 1.5 million  £205,984 £230,377 £254,770 
1.5 million – 2 million £238,508 £260,190 £281,873 
>2 million  £271,032 £292,714 £314,397 

ICB executive director pay ranges 

Band A and B (<1.5 million weighted population) CFO CNO CMO Other board executives 
Minimum (£pa) £144,189 £133,890 £133,890 £124,133 
Operational maximum (£pa) £173,460 £161,942 £161,942 £150,423 
Band C and D (>1.5 million weighted population)CFOCNOCMOOther board executives
Minimum (£pa) £166,956 £155,030 £155,030 £131,180 
Operational Maximum (£pa) £197,311 £184,302 £184,302 £171,292