Understanding GP Salary in the UK

If you are researching gp salary for 2026/27, whether as a job seeker, practice manager, or current doctor, it helps to know the official pay ranges, average earnings, and how to convert annual figures into hourly rates. GP pay in the UK is set through recommendations from the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Body (DDRB) and accepted by the government. This article uses the latest public data from the BMA, NHS Digital, and NHS Employers to give you a clear picture.

Salaried GP Pay Ranges for 2026/27

For the 2026/27 financial year, the DDRB recommended a 3.5% uplift for both contractor and salaried GPs. The BMA publishes the resulting pay ranges for salaried GPs by nation:

• England: £78,699 to £118,759 per year
• Wales: £81,893 to £123,573 per year
• Scotland: £77,160 to £115,167 (2025/26 range, uplift pending confirmation)
• Northern Ireland: £74,172 to £111,928 (2025/26 range, uplift pending confirmation)

These figures are for full-time equivalent roles. If you work part-time, your salary is pro-rated based on your contracted hours. The Health Careers website confirms the England range from 1 April 2026.

Average GP Earnings (2024/25)

NHS Digital’s GP Earnings and Expenses Estimates for 2024/25, based on HMRC Self Assessment tax data, provide a useful benchmark. In England, the average income before tax was:

• Salaried GPs: £74,800
• Contractor GPs (practice partners): £164,200
• Combined (all GPs): £121,700

In Scotland, salaried GPs averaged £76,100; in Wales £84,000; and in Northern Ireland £76,600. These averages include both full-time and part-time GPs, so individual earnings vary. Contractor GPs earn more because they take on business risk and practice profits.

Converting GP Salary to Hourly Rate

Although GP salaries are usually quoted annually, you may want to know the equivalent hourly rate for budgeting or comparing with other roles. The standard full-time week for NHS doctors is 37.5 hours (though GP contracts can vary). To convert:

Hourly rate = Annual salary ÷ 52 weeks ÷ weekly hours

For example, a salaried GP at the bottom of the England 2026/27 range (£78,699) working 37.5 hours per week would earn approximately:

£78,699 ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5 = £40.36 per hour

At the top of the range (£118,759), the hourly rate would be about £60.90. Remember that this is a basic salary; many GPs receive additional payments for out-of-hours work, on-call duties, or London weighting. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to run your own calculations with different hours assumptions.

Part-Time and Full-Time Considerations

GP roles are often offered on a part-time basis, especially in salaried positions. If you work 20 hours per week instead of 37.5, your annual salary is calculated as:

Pro-rata salary = Full-time equivalent × (contracted hours ÷ 37.5)

For a GP at the England minimum (£78,699) working 20 hours per week, that would be £78,699 × (20 ÷ 37.5) = £41,973 per year. The hourly rate remains the same (£40.36), but the annual take-home is lower. Always check your contract for the exact full-time hours definition.

London Weighting and Other Allowances

GP pay may include London weighting or high-cost area supplements (HCAS) if you work in or near London. The BMA’s ARRS reimbursement rates for 2026/27 show a standard maximum of £152,900 and a London-weighted maximum of £155,690. For salaried GPs under the BMA Model Contract, the pay range already accounts for London weighting where applicable. Other allowances can include:

• Out-of-hours enhancements (typically time-and-a-half or double time)
• On-call availability allowances
• Clinical excellence awards (for senior GPs)

These extras are not included in the base salary ranges above.

How GP Pay Compares to Other NHS Roles

For context, NHS pay scales for 2026/27 (published by NHS Employers) show that a Band 5 nurse starts at £38,488 annual (£19.68/hr) and a Band 9 consultant tops out at £138,529 (£70.85/hr). GP salaries sit between these bands, with salaried GPs comparable to mid-to-senior NHS managers. Contractor GPs earn considerably more, reflecting their self-employed status. For more benchmark data, visit our salary data page.

Summary

GP salary in 2026/27 ranges from around £78,699 to £118,759 for salaried roles in England, with average earnings for salaried GPs at £74,800 in 2024/25. Contractor GPs earn significantly more. When converting to an hourly rate, assume 37.5 hours per week for full-time and adjust for part-time. Always refer to official sources like the BMA, NHS Digital, and NHS Employers for the most accurate figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average GP salary in the UK? The average GP salary depends on contract type. For salaried GPs in England, the average income before tax in 2024/25 was £74,800, according to NHS Digital. Contractor GPs (practice partners) earned an average of £164,200. For 2026/27, the salaried GP pay range in England is £78,699 to £118,759.

How is GP salary calculated and how does it convert to an hourly rate? GP salary is typically quoted as an annual figure for full-time hours (often 37.5 hours per week). To convert to an hourly rate, divide the annual salary by 52 weeks and then by the weekly hours. For example, a salaried GP at the bottom of the 2026/27 England range (£78,699) working 37.5 hours per week would earn approximately £40.36 per hour. Part-time GPs receive a pro-rata salary based on their contracted hours.

Do GPs receive London weighting or other allowances? Yes, some GPs may receive London weighting. For salaried GPs employed under the BMA Model Contract, London weighting is included in the pay range. The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) for GPs in 2026/27 shows a maximum reimbursable rate of £155,690 including London Weighting, compared to £152,900 standard. Other allowances such as out-of-hours enhancements may also apply depending on the role.