Understanding the FY1 Salary for 2026/27

If you're a medical graduate starting your Foundation Year 1 (FY1) post, or simply curious about how junior doctor pay works, you'll want to know the FY1 salary – both as an annual figure and as an hourly rate. This article explains the basic pay, how to convert it, and what you can expect after deductions.

What is the FY1 Basic Salary?

The basic salary for an FY1 doctor in England is set by the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service. For 2026/27, the pay award effective from 1 April 2026 gives a basic annual salary of £41,226 according to the BMA and some detailed calculators. However, another source lists the figure as £38,831. This discrepancy may reflect different pay points or outdated data; the official NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27 should be your definitive reference. The salary is paid for a contractual average of 40 hours per week under the 2016 junior doctor contract.

Converting FY1 Salary to Hourly and Monthly Pay

To find the hourly rate from an annual salary, divide by the total working hours in a year. Assuming a 40-hour week and 52 weeks (no unpaid holidays – FY1s are salaried with paid leave), the calculation is:

• Annual ÷ (40 × 52) = hourly rate
• £41,226 ÷ 2,080 = £19.82 per hour
• £38,831 ÷ 2,080 = £18.67 per hour

Monthly gross pay is simply the annual figure divided by 12: about £3,435.50 (at £41,226) or £3,235.92 (at £38,831).

Remember, this is basic pay only. Almost every FY1 earns more through enhancements for night shifts (37% extra), weekend work (3–15% of basic salary depending on frequency), on-call allowances (8%), and London weighting (up to £2,162 per year). These extras are paid on top and can significantly increase total earnings.

How Does FY1 Pay Compare to UK Benchmarks?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 shows median full-time gross annual earnings of £39,039 and median hourly earnings of £19.67 (excluding overtime). So the FY1 basic salary of £41,226 sits slightly above the UK median for full-time workers. The National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over rose to £12.71 per hour in 2026/27 (from £12.21 in 2025), meaning an FY1's basic hourly rate is well above the legal minimum.

Take-Home Pay After Tax, NI and Pension

FY1 doctors are enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme. For 2026/27, the contribution rate for earnings between £35,156 and £52,778 is 9.8%. This is deducted before income tax (a 'net pay' arrangement). Using the £41,226 figure, the typical deductions are:

• NHS Pension: £4,040.15
• Income Tax (20% on taxable income above £12,570 personal allowance): £4,921.37
• National Insurance (8% on earnings above £12,570): £2,292.48
• Take-home pay: £29,972 per year (about £2,498 per month)

If the basic salary is £38,831, take-home is approximately £28,434 per year (£2,370 per month). These calculations assume no student loan repayments, no salary sacrifice, and a standard tax code. Enhancements are taxed and NI'd in the same way but are not pensionable (except London weighting).

London Weighting and Other Allowances

Doctors working in London or the fringe zone receive additional annual payments: £2,162 in the London zone, £527 for extra-territorially managed units, and £149 in the fringe zone (2026/27 rates). These are pensionable and taxed. Less-than-full-time doctors also get a £1,000 allowance.

Using Our Tools to Compare Salaries

You can use our Hourly to Salary converter to see how any hourly rate translates to annual and monthly figures. For more context on UK pay benchmarks, visit our salary data page, which includes median earnings and National Living Wage rates. If you're considering a career in medicine or comparing job offers, our salary articles cover other NHS roles and public sector pay.

Key Takeaways

• The FY1 salary for 2026/27 is around £41,226 basic (check official scales).
• Hourly equivalent: ~£19.82 for a 40-hour week.
• Take-home after pension and deductions: ~£29,972 per year.
• Enhancements for out-of-hours work can add thousands to your gross pay.
• Always verify with your contract and the official NHS Employers pay scales.

Understanding your FY1 salary in hourly terms helps you compare with other jobs and plan your finances. Remember that the basic salary is just the starting point – the total package depends on your rota and location.