Physician Associate UK Salary 2026/27: A Complete Guide

If you're researching the physician associate uk salary, you've come to the right place. Physician Associates (PAs) are graduate medical professionals who work alongside doctors in primary and secondary care. In the NHS, they are consistently placed on Band 7 of the Agenda for Change pay system. This page explains the latest 2026/27 pay scales, how hourly rates convert to annual salary, and what part-time or London-weighted pay looks like.

What Is a Physician Associate?

Physician Associates are trained to take medical histories, examine patients, and develop management plans under supervision. The role requires a Master's-level PA programme. In England, NHS trusts employ PAs on Band 7 terms, which means a starting salary of £49,387 and a top rate of £56,515 for 2026/27, according to NHS Employers pay scales. In Scotland, the equivalent range is £52,845 to £61,466.

Full-Time Salary and Hourly Rate

The NHS defines full-time as 37.5 hours per week (excluding meal breaks). Using the standard conversion of hourly rate × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks, the Band 7 rates break down as follows:

• Entry point: £49,387 per year → £25.26 per hour
• Top point: £56,515 per year → £28.90 per hour

These figures come directly from the NHS Employers 2026/27 pay scales and are confirmed by the NHS Pay Bands website. The hourly rate is useful if you are comparing with other roles or considering part-time hours.

Part-Time and Pro-Rata Pay

If you work fewer than 37.5 hours per week, your physician associate uk salary is calculated pro-rata. For example, a PA working 30 hours per week at the entry point would earn:

£25.26 × 30 hours × 52 weeks = £39,405.60 per year

Always check your contract for how your trust defines full-time hours and whether any enhancements apply. The Hourly to Salary tool on this site can help you convert any hourly rate to annual figures using your own hours assumption.

London Weighting (HCAS)

Only Physician Associates employed by NHS trusts in London receive High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS). For 2026/27:

• Inner London: 20% of basic salary (min £5,794, max £8,746)
• Outer London: 15%
• Fringe: 5%

This is added on top of your Band 7 salary. For example, a PA at the top of Band 7 (£56,515) working in Inner London could receive an additional £8,746, bringing total gross pay to £65,261. The hourly rate inclusive of HCAS is stated in the NHS Employers pay scales.

Take-Home Pay After Tax, NI and Pension

Your net pay depends on income tax, National Insurance, and the NHS pension contribution. Based on the 2026/27 rates, a Physician Associate on Band 7 entry (£49,387) takes home approximately £35,206 per year (£2,934 per month). At the top of Band 7 (£56,515), take-home pay is around £39,708 per year (£3,309 per month). These estimates assume standard NHS Pension membership and no student loan repayments. For a detailed breakdown, visit the salary data page.

How Does This Compare to UK Benchmarks?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 reported median full-time gross annual earnings of £39,039 and median hourly pay (excluding overtime) of £19.67. The physician associate uk salary starts well above these medians, reflecting the specialist training required. The National Living Wage for 2026/27 is £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over, so a PA earns roughly double the minimum rate even at entry.

Overtime and Unsocial Hours

NHS contracts often include enhancements for overtime, night shifts, weekends, and bank holidays. These are not reflected in the basic salary figures above. If you regularly work unsocial hours, your actual earnings could be significantly higher. Always check your trust's local policies.

Summary

• Full-time Band 7 PA salary: £49,387–£56,515
• Hourly equivalent: £25.26–£28.90 (37.5-hour week)
• Part-time: Pro-rata based on contracted hours
• London weighting: Up to 20% extra for Inner London
• Take-home: Around 70% of gross after tax, NI and pension

For more comparisons and to calculate your own figures, use the hourly calculator or explore other topics on the site.