How Much Do Doctors Get Paid in the UK?

Doctor salaries in the UK vary depending on experience, level of training, specialty, and whether they work within the NHS or private practice. From junior doctors beginning their careers to highly experienced consultants, pay structures are influenced by nationally negotiated contracts and additional factors such as location and overtime. In this article, we explore the details of how much doctors get paid in the UK and answer some of the most common questions about earnings.

Foundation Training Years

Foundation training is the first step for medical graduates entering the NHS, covering FY1 (Foundation Year 1) and FY2 (Foundation Year 2). Salaries for foundation doctors are set by the NHS pay scale and are reviewed annually.

• FY1 Salary: As of 2024, the base salary for an FY1 doctor is approximately £36,616 per year.
• FY2 Salary: In FY2, doctors earn a higher base salary, starting around £42,008 per year.

In addition to base pay, doctors working unsocial hours (e.g., nights and weekends) receive band supplements, increasing their take-home pay. For instance, an FY1 doctor regularly working night shifts could earn up to £40,000 annually with these adjustments.

Specialty Training

After foundation years, doctors progress into specialty training or general practice training, typically lasting between 3–8 years depending on the field.

• Core Training Pay: Specialty trainees (ST1–ST8) earn between £49,909 and £70,425  per year, depending on seniority.
• Those in highly demanding specialties (e.g., neurosurgery) may earn additional pay due to unsocial hours or intensity of work.

For example:

• ST3-5 (higher training in some specialties): Average salary starts around £61,825.
• ST8 (final year of training in most specialties): Salaries can exceed £70,425, not including overtime or supplements.

Consultant Level

Consultants, who are highly experienced specialists, are among the highest-paid NHS doctors.

• Base Salary: Starts at £105,504 per year for newly appointed consultants.
• Experienced Consultants: Salaries increase incrementally with years of service, reaching up to £139,882 annually after 19 years.

Additional earnings come from:

• Clinical Excellence Awards: Consultants demonstrating outstanding contributions can receive annual bonuses.

The values of Local Clinical Excellence Awards, National Clinical Impact Awards, and predecessor awards are unchanged. Information and values for the predecessor awards can now be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/frozen-award-valuesconsultants

• Private Work: Many consultants supplement their NHS income with private practice, significantly increasing their earnings.

General Practitioners (GPs)

GPs have different pay structures depending on whether they are salaried or partners in a GP practice.

The minimum and maximum of the pay range for salaried GPs employed on the salaried GP contract have been increased by 6% to £73,113 and £110,330 respectively from 1 April 2024.

Additional income can come from delivering enhanced services, such as vaccinations or extended access schemes.

Source

Private Practice and Additional Income

Many doctors, particularly consultants and GPs, work in private practice alongside their NHS commitments, this is also included in how much doctors get paid in the UK:

• Private Work Rates: Consultants can charge between £200 and £500 per hour, depending on the specialty and complexity of care.
• Medico-Legal Work: Providing expert witness services or reports can yield additional income.

Doctors may also earn through teaching, research, or media appearances.

What are locum doctors?

Locum doctors are temporary staff who fill in for permanent doctors, often earning higher hourly rates.

• Hourly Rates: Junior doctors salary can fall between £25 and £45 per hour, while consultants may earn over £100 per hour.
• Locum work offers flexibility but lacks the benefits of permanent positions, such as pensions or paid leave.

How often are doctors’ salaries reviewed or updated in the UK?

Doctors’ salaries are reviewed annually by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), which makes recommendations to the government. Pay adjustments are influenced by factors like inflation, recruitment challenges, and NHS budget constraints.

What was the pay deal announced in July 2023?

In July 2023, the government announced a 6% pay rise for NHS doctors, including junior doctors salaries and consultants salaries, in response to strikes and cost-of-living concerns.

• Junior Doctors: Received an additional consolidated lump sum on top of the 6% raise.
• Consultants: Also benefited from the uplift, though concerns about retention and workload persist.

Do doctors in the UK receive benefits in addition to their salaries?

Yes, NHS doctors receive a range of benefits, including:

• Pension Scheme: A generous, defined-benefit pension scheme.
• Annual Leave: Starting at 27 days per year, increasing with seniority.
• Sick Leave: Comprehensive cover, particularly for long-term illness.
• Maternity/Paternity Leave: Enhanced parental leave packages.

Doctors may also receive relocation packages or financial support for training and exams.

How does the NHS calculate weekend salaries?

Doctors working weekends, evenings, and night shifts earn premium rates under the NHS Pay and Conditions Circular. These supplements are calculated as a percentage of the base salary, typically ranging from 30% to 50% depending on the time and day worked.

Unsocial hours payments are worked out using basic salary including long-term recruitment and retention premiums (RRPs), but excluding short-term RRPs, high cost area supplements, and all other supplements and payments.

Do doctors in London earn more?

Yes, doctors working in London receive a London weighting allowance to offset the higher cost of living.

London allowance is payable to those working in London, and in spaces immediately bordering London, such as Dorking and Wickford at the following rates:

• £5,125 per annum with effect from 1 August 2024.
• £4,613 per annum with effect from 1 August 2024.

How do UK doctor salaries compare to other countries?

Doctors in the UK earn less than their counterparts in countries like the US or Australia but benefit from a public healthcare system, pensions, and reduced litigation risks.

• US: Average salaries for specialists exceed £200,000 annually, but doctors face high insurance costs.
• Australia: Offers competitive salaries of over £150,000 for specialists, with opportunities for relocation.
• Germany: Salaries range from £60,000 to £120,000, depending on experience and specialty.

How to become a doctor

Becoming a doctor in the UK is tough but rewarding. It starts in secondary school with smart subject choices and practical experiences. Each stage, from GCSEs to medical school and beyond, is designed to prepare aspiring doctors for the challenges of a medical career. The pathway to becoming a doctor in the UK involves:

1. Completing a medical degree (5–6 years).
2. Undertaking Foundation Training (2 years).
3. Entering specialty training (3–8 years).

It’s a demanding but rewarding career path, offering diverse opportunities across specialities.

For in-depth information on this, check out our article detailing how to become a doctor, education, skills required, restrictions and more!

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