Understanding the F1 Doctor Salary for 2026/27

The f1 doctor salary (Foundation Year 1) is a key benchmark for newly qualified doctors in the NHS. For 2026/27, the basic annual pay is set at a nodal point under the 2016 contract for resident doctors in England. According to the official Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026R, the FY1 salary is £40,190. A pending offer agreed in June 2026, backdated to 1 April 2026, would raise this to £41,226, though it had not yet been incorporated into the circular at the time of publication (NHS pay calculator).

Hourly Equivalent and the 40-Hour Week

The basic salary is based on a 40-hour week. To convert the annual f1 doctor salary to an hourly rate, divide by 40 hours and then by 52 weeks:

• Official circular: £40,190 ÷ (40 × 52) = £19.32 per hour
• Pending offer: £41,226 ÷ (40 × 52) = £19.82 per hour

This is the rate for the core 40 contracted hours. Any additional rostered hours (up to 48 per week, or 56 if the doctor has opted out of the Working Time Regulations) are paid at the same basic hourly rate, but with enhancements for unsocial times (BMJ Careers).

How Unsocial Hours and Allowances Add Up

An F1 doctor’s actual take-home pay is rarely just the basic salary. The 2016 contract includes several supplements:

• Night enhancement: Hours worked between 21:00 and 07:00 attract a 37% uplift on the basic hourly rate, even if those hours fall within the 40-hour week.
• Weekend allowance: Doctors rostered to work weekends receive a percentage of basic salary: 3% for 1 in 8 weekends, rising to 15% for 1 in 2 or more frequent weekends.
• On-call availability: Non-resident on-call adds a flat 8% of basic pay.

These payments are non-pensionable, meaning they do not count towards the NHS pension. Only basic pay up to 40 hours and London weighting are pensionable (NHS pay calculator).

London Weighting and Regional Differences

For F1 doctors working in London, a London weighting allowance is added. Unlike Agenda for Change staff, who receive a percentage-based High Cost Area Supplement, medical and dental staff receive a fixed annual cash sum that has been frozen since 2005. The exact amount is not specified in the search results, but it is pensionable and paid on top of the nodal point salary.

Doctors in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may be on different contracts or pay scales. The figures here apply to England only under the 2016 terms and conditions.

Comparing F1 Salary with Other NHS Roles

To put the f1 doctor salary in context, here are some Agenda for Change (AfC) pay bands for 2026/27 (NHS Employers):

Band	Role example	Annual (entry)	Hourly (entry)
Band 2	Healthcare assistant	£31,066	£15.89
Band 5	Newly qualified nurse	£38,488	£19.68
Band 6	Specialist nurse	£47,951	£24.52
Band 7	Team manager	£58,133	£29.73

An F1 doctor’s basic salary sits between Band 5 and Band 6, but the total earnings can be higher due to unsocial hours payments. However, AfC staff also receive enhancements for weekends and nights, so comparisons depend on individual rotas.

Progression: From FY1 to Higher Grades

The f1 doctor salary is the starting point. After Foundation Year 1, doctors move to Foundation Year 2 (FY2) with a basic salary of £45,994 (official) or £47,610 (pending offer). Core and specialty training grades then increase, with ST3–ST5 at £67,325 and ST6–ST8 at £76,582 (official circular) (NHS pay calculator). Consultants received a 3.5% uplift to basic pay from 1 April 2026 (NHS Employers Pay and Conditions Circular).

Important Caveats for Salary Calculations

When using an hourly to salary calculator or converting the f1 doctor salary to monthly figures, remember:

• The conversion assumes a steady 40-hour week with no unpaid overtime. In practice, F1 doctors often work additional rostered hours.
• Holiday pay is included in the basic salary; the NHS pays annual leave at the basic rate.
• Tax and deductions: Income Tax, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions (currently around 9.3% for this salary level) will reduce net pay. Student loan repayments may also apply.
• The figures are gross (before deductions).

For a broader view of UK pay benchmarks, explore our salary data pages, which include median earnings from ONS ASHE and the National Living Wage.

Summary

The f1 doctor salary for 2026/27 is £40,190–£41,226 annually, equating to roughly £19.32–£19.82 per hour for a 40-hour week. With night enhancements, weekend allowances, and on-call payments, total earnings can be significantly higher, though these extras are non-pensionable. London weighting adds a fixed cash sum. As with all NHS roles, actual take-home pay depends on rota pattern, deductions, and location. For more detailed breakdowns, see our salary articles on NHS pay scales.