Understanding the paediatrician salary landscape

If you're researching a paediatrician salary in the UK, you'll quickly find that figures vary widely depending on grade, location and whether the role is in the NHS or private sector. Unlike many roles that follow the Agenda for Change pay bands (used by nurses and allied health professionals), paediatricians are typically employed under separate consultant or specialty doctor contracts.

According to NHS Employers, the 2026/27 pay scales for Agenda for Change bands range from Band 1 (£25,272) to Band 9 (£129,783). However, these bands do not directly cover consultant paediatricians. Instead, consultant pay is set by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB).

Health Careers lists current NHS job postings showing consultant paediatrician salaries between £113,565 and £150,569 per year. Specialty doctor roles in paediatrics range from £63,696 to £102,689. Foundation doctors and trust-grade doctors earn less – for example, a trust doctor at ST3-ST5 level might earn around £67,325 to £67,998.

Hourly vs annual: what the numbers really mean

A common question is: what does that work out to per hour? For a consultant on £113,565 per year, if we assume a standard 40-hour week (the typical full-time consultant contract), the hourly rate is roughly £54.60. But this is a simplification. Consultants often have on-call commitments, additional programmed activities (PAs), and responsibilities that mean their actual hours exceed 40 per week.

For specialty doctors, the NHS contract usually specifies a standard working week of 37.5 hours. A specialty doctor earning £80,000 per year would have an hourly rate of about £41.03 (80,000 ÷ 37.5 ÷ 52). However, banding supplements for antisocial hours can increase total pay.

Our Hourly to Salary tool lets you convert any hourly rate to annual salary using the standard formula: annual ≈ hourly × hours per week × 52. But remember – this assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, or salary sacrifice. For doctors, actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules.

Common myths about hourly pay and overtime for paediatricians

Myth 1: Your hourly rate is simply your annual salary divided by 2,000. Many people assume a 40-hour week × 50 weeks (allowing for holiday) gives 2,000 hours. But NHS contracts often use 37.5 hours per week and 52 weeks, because annual leave is paid separately. Using 2,000 hours can overstate the hourly rate.

Myth 2: Overtime is always paid at time-and-a-half. For NHS paediatricians, overtime isn't a simple multiplier. Consultants may be paid for additional PAs at a rate set by the contract, which can be around 1/10th of basic salary per PA. Specialty doctors may receive banding supplements that add 20% to 50% for antisocial hours, but this is not the same as hourly overtime.

Myth 3: London weighting is a flat bonus. Actually, High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) are a percentage of basic salary – 20% for outer London – but with a minimum and maximum cap. For 2026/27, the minimum is £5,794 and the maximum £8,746. So a consultant on £113,565 would receive the maximum £8,746, not 20% of their salary.

Myth 4: Private practice earnings are included in salary surveys. Most NHS salary data excludes private work. A consultant may earn significantly more from private patients, but that is not reflected in the paediatrician salary figures you see on job boards.

London weighting and location factors

Location plays a major role in paediatrician pay. According to, the average paediatrician salary in London is £103,896 per year, compared to £96,200 nationally. Brighton and Hove averages £96,915, and Manchester £92,213.

The ERI data for London suggests an even higher average of £169,356 for 'Medical Pediatrician', but this likely includes senior consultants and those with additional responsibilities. Always check the source and definition.

For NHS roles, HCAS supplements apply to trusts within London and surrounding areas. If you're considering a move, use our salary articles to compare cost of living and take-home pay after tax.

How to use our tools

To get a personalised estimate, try our hourly calculator. Enter your hourly rate (or your desired annual salary) and we'll show the conversion based on standard UK assumptions. Remember to adjust for your actual contracted hours and any London weighting.

If you're negotiating a paediatrician salary, keep in mind that the total package includes pension contributions (the NHS pension is one of the best in the UK), annual leave, and study budget. The basic salary is just one part.

Disclaimer: Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.