Doctor Salary UK: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026/27

Understanding doctor salary UK figures is essential for medical professionals planning their careers and for job seekers comparing opportunities across the NHS. This guide covers the latest pay scales for 2026/27, regional differences including London weighting, and how to convert annual salaries to hourly rates.

NHS Doctor Pay Scales Overview

NHS doctors are paid on separate contracts depending on their grade. The 2026/27 pay award, accepted by the government and the BMA, provided a 3.5% increase to basic pay for most doctor groups. According to NHS Employers and Health Careers, the basic salary ranges are:

• Foundation doctors (resident doctors in training): £41,226 to £47,610 per year.
• Specialist training doctors: £55,355 to £77,348 per year.
• Specialty doctors (2021 contract): £63,696 to £102,689 per year.
• Specialist grade doctors: £104,401 to £115,341 per year.
• Consultants: £113,565 to £150,569 per year, depending on length of service.
• Salaried GPs: £78,699 to £118,759 per year.

These are basic salaries before any additional payments. Doctors in training also receive enhancements for night work (37% premium), weekend work, and on-call availability. The Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026 R2 from NHS Employers details the new nodal pay point structure for trainees, which now has ten points aligned with stages of training.

Regional Differences and London Weighting

Doctor salaries vary significantly by region due to Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS). In London and the South East, doctors receive an annual London weighting allowance:

• Higher rate: £11,673 per year (inner London).
• Lower rate: £5,837 per year (outer London and fringe areas).

This is paid on top of basic salary and is included in the pay scales published by NHS Employers. For example, a consultant at the top of the scale (£150,569) working in inner London would receive a total basic salary of £162,242 before any overtime or awards.

Outside London, there are no automatic geographical supplements, though some trusts may offer recruitment and retention premia in hard-to-fill specialties.

Hourly to Annual Conversion for Doctors

To convert an annual doctor salary to an hourly rate, you need to know the standard contracted hours. For full-time NHS doctors, the standard working week is 40 hours (excluding on-call). Using the formula:

Hourly rate ≈ Annual salary ÷ (52 weeks × 40 hours)

For example:

• Foundation doctor at £41,226: £41,226 ÷ 2,080 = £19.82 per hour.
• Consultant at £113,565: £113,565 ÷ 2,080 = £54.60 per hour.
• Salaried GP at £78,699: £78,699 ÷ 2,080 = £37.84 per hour.

However, actual hourly earnings are often higher because doctors receive overtime pay for hours over 40 per week, night enhancements (37% premium), and weekend allowances. The mean non-basic pay per person for NHS Trust staff was £5,615 in the year to June 2026, according to NHS Digital. This includes on-call, overtime, and other premia.

For a more precise calculation tailored to your contract, use our Hourly to Salary tool, which allows you to input your weekly hours and any additional allowances.

Comparing Doctor Salaries to UK Benchmarks

The median full-time gross annual pay for all UK employees was around £39,039 in 2026/27, according to ONS ASHE data. Doctor salaries far exceed this, even at entry level. However, doctors typically work longer hours and have significant out-of-hours commitments.

For context:

• The National Living Wage (age 21+) at 37.5 hours per week equates to about £24,785 per year (£12.71 per hour).
• The Income Tax Personal Allowance is £12,570 per year.

Doctor salaries also compare favourably to other public sector roles. For example, NHS Agenda for Change Band 7 tops out at £65,261, while a consultant starts at £113,565. The mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent for all NHS Trust staff was £44,457 in June 2026, showing that doctors are among the highest-paid NHS employees.

Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

When researching doctor salary UK, remember that advertised basic salaries are just the starting point. Actual earnings can be 20–30% higher when including London weighting, on-call allowances, and overtime. For the most accurate comparison, check the specific trust's pay package and use our salary data page to see real-world averages by grade and region.

FAQs

Q: What is the average doctor salary UK in 2026/27? A: There is no single average because salaries vary widely by role and experience. For NHS Trust staff overall, mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent was £44,457 in the year to June 2026. For doctors specifically, foundation doctors earn £41,226–£47,610, while consultants earn £113,565–£150,569. Salaried GPs earn £78,699–£118,759. These are basic salaries before London weighting and overtime.

Q: How do I convert a doctor's annual salary to an hourly rate? A: For NHS doctors, full-time contracted hours are typically 40 hours per week (excluding on-call). To convert annual basic salary to an approximate hourly rate, divide by 52 weeks and then by 40 hours. For example, a foundation doctor at £41,226 per year would be roughly £19.82 per hour. However, actual hourly earnings can be higher due to overtime, night enhancements, and weekend allowances. Use our Hourly to Salary tool for quick conversions.

Q: Does doctor salary UK include London weighting? A: Yes, doctors working in London and the South East receive a higher cost area supplement (HCAS). For 2026/27, the London weighting is £11,673 per year at the higher rate and £5,837 at the lower rate, on top of basic salary. This is paid as an annual allowance and is reflected in the pay scales published by NHS Employers.