Understanding the Dermatologist Salary UK in 2026/27

If you are looking for the latest dermatologist salary UK benchmarks, the most reliable source is the NHS pay scales for consultants and specialty doctors. Dermatologists in the NHS are typically employed as consultants on Band 8d or Band 9, or as specialty doctors on the 2021 contract. The 2026/27 pay award, effective from 1 April 2026, increased basic pay by 3.5% for consultants and specialty doctors, and by 3.5% for doctors in training (with a restructured nodal pay system).

NHS Consultant Pay Bands for Dermatologists

According to NHS Employers, the annual and hourly rates for consultant grades are as follows:

• Band 8d: Entry point £103,102 per year (£52.73 per hour); midpoint £108,886 (£55.69/hr); top £117,560 (£60.12/hr).
• Band 9: Entry point £121,528 per year (£62.15 per hour); midpoint £128,329 (£65.63/hr); top £138,529 (£70.85/hr).

These hourly rates are based on a standard 37.5-hour working week (37.5 hours × 52 weeks = 1,950 hours per year). To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, multiply by 37.5 and then by 52. For example, £60.12/hr × 37.5 × 52 = £117,560.

Specialty Doctors and Doctors in Training

Specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors on the 2021 contract also received a 3.5% increase. Their pay scales are lower than consultants. The Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026 R2 confirms that doctors in training now have ten nodal pay points instead of five, but specific values are not listed in the search results. For the most accurate figures, refer to the circular on the NHS Employers website.

London Weighting and Allowances

Dermatologists working in London receive additional London weighting on top of their basic salary. The 2026/27 rates are:

• Higher rate: £11,673 per year
• Lower rate: £5,837 per year

On-call availability allowances, weekend allowances, and less-than-full-time (LTFT) allowances also apply. For example, a doctor rostered for weekend work at a frequency of 1 in 8 receives a percentage of basic salary as a weekend allowance. These extras can significantly increase total compensation.

How to Use the Hourly to Annual Conversion

Our Hourly to Salary tool lets you input your hourly rate and hours per week to see the annual equivalent. For NHS roles, the standard is 37.5 hours per week, but always check your contract. If you work overtime or have additional sessions, your actual annual income will be higher.

For more detailed salary data across professions, visit our salary data page.

Private Practice and Other Factors

The BAD Workforce Census (2024) indicates that many consultant dermatologists also undertake private practice. The NHS basic salary is just one part of total earnings. Private fees, medicolegal work, and teaching can add substantially. However, precise private income figures are not publicly available.

Summary

The dermatologist salary UK for NHS consultants in 2026/27 ranges from about £103,000 to £139,000 per year, with hourly rates from £52.73 to £70.85. Specialty doctors earn less, and doctors in training have a new pay structure. Always factor in London weighting, allowances, and private work when estimating total compensation.

For a quick conversion of any hourly rate to annual salary, use our hourly calculator. And for more articles on UK pay benchmarks, see our salary articles.