Understanding Consultant Salary in the UK

If you are a doctor considering a consultant role, or a healthcare professional looking to compare earnings, knowing how to convert an hourly rate into an annual salary is essential. This guide explains the latest NHS consultant pay scales, how they compare to UK benchmarks, and the factors that can affect your take-home pay.

NHS Consultant Pay Scales (2026/27)

From 1 April 2026, NHS consultants in England on the 2003 contract receive a basic salary between £113,565 and £150,569 per year, depending on service length and threshold points. This follows a 3.5% increase to basic pay, as confirmed by the NHS Employers Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026. The salary is structured in points: for example, a consultant at the start of their career (0–2 years) earns £113,565, while those at the top of the scale (points 14–19) earn £150,569.

Consultants typically work 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week, each PA being a four-hour session. This gives a standard 40-hour week. To convert the annual salary to an hourly rate, divide by 40 hours per week and then by 52 weeks. For the lower end: £113,565 ÷ (40 × 52) ≈ £54.60 per hour. For the upper end: £150,569 ÷ (40 × 52) ≈ £72.40 per hour.

How Consultant Salary Compares to UK Benchmarks

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025 shows that the median gross annual earnings for full-time UK employees was £39,039, and the median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67. Even the lowest NHS consultant salary is nearly three times the national median, reflecting the high level of training and responsibility.

For context, the National Living Wage (for employees aged 21 and over) was £12.21 per hour in April 2025. A consultant earning £54.60 per hour earns more than four times the NLW.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

A common rule of thumb for UK employees is: annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For consultants on a standard 40-hour week, the formula is:

Annual salary = hourly rate × 40 × 52

For example, if you are offered a locum consultant role at £70 per hour, your annual equivalent would be £70 × 40 × 52 = £145,600. However, this assumes a consistent 40-hour week with no unpaid overtime. Actual pay may differ if your rota includes on-call duties, premium time, or if you work fewer or more hours.

Use our hourly calculator to quickly convert any hourly rate to annual and monthly figures.

Additional Allowances and Supplements

Basic salary is only part of a consultant’s total compensation. Additional payments include:

• London Weighting: Consultants whose principal place of work is within designated London areas receive an additional allowance, as specified in NHS Pay Circulars. The rate varies by zone (inner London, outer London, fringe).
• On-call Availability Supplement: If you participate in an on-call rota, you receive a percentage of basic salary (typically 1% to 8% depending on frequency and intensity).
• Premium Time: Work outside 07:00–19:00 on weekdays, and any work on weekends or public holidays, attracts enhanced pay.
• Clinical Excellence Awards / Clinical Impact Awards: These are competitive awards for work above and beyond your job plan, adding a significant sum to your salary.
• Private Practice: Many consultants supplement their NHS income by working privately, though this must not interfere with NHS duties.

Key Considerations for Job Seekers

When evaluating a consultant role, look beyond the basic salary. Check whether the post includes on-call commitments, London weighting eligibility, and opportunities for clinical awards. Also consider the contract type: the 2003 contract is the standard for NHS consultants, but some trusts may use the 2021 contract with different terms.

For a deeper dive into UK salary benchmarks, visit our salary data page, which includes median earnings by occupation and region.

Summary

• NHS consultant basic salary (2026/27): £113,565 – £150,569 per year.
• Hourly equivalent (40-hour week): £54.60 – £72.40.
• UK median full-time salary (2025): £39,039 per year (£19.67 per hour).
• National Living Wage (2025): £12.21 per hour.
• Conversion formula: hourly rate × 40 × 52 = annual salary (for standard 40-hour week).

Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the most accurate figures. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to compare your current or prospective pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert an hourly rate to an annual salary for a consultant role?

For NHS consultants on the 2003 contract, the standard working week is 10 Programmed Activities (PAs), each of 4 hours, totalling 40 hours. To convert an hourly rate to annual salary, multiply the hourly rate by 40 hours per week and then by 52 weeks. For example, an hourly rate of £60 would give an annual salary of £60 × 40 × 52 = £124,800. However, this is a rough guide; actual pay depends on your contract, on-call commitments, London weighting, and any clinical awards.

What is the current NHS consultant salary range?

From 1 April 2026, the basic salary for NHS consultants in England (2003 contract) ranges from £113,565 to £150,569 per year, depending on length of service and threshold points. This represents a 3.5% increase on the previous year. Consultants can also receive additional payments for on-call availability, London weighting, and clinical excellence or impact awards.

How does a consultant salary compare to the UK median full-time salary?

According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025, the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK was £39,039, and the median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67. Even the lowest NHS consultant salary (£113,565) is nearly three times the median full-time salary, reflecting the seniority, responsibility, and specialist training required for consultant roles.