Understanding the Physiotherapist Salary in 2026/27

If you're a physiotherapist or considering the profession, knowing how your hourly rate translates into an annual salary is essential for budgeting and comparing job offers. The physiotherapist salary in the UK is most commonly set by NHS pay bands, which are updated each year. For 2026/27, NHS Employers have published new scales effective from 1 April 2026.

NHS Pay Bands for Physiotherapists

Most NHS physiotherapists start on Band 5 after qualifying. According to the official NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27, a Band 5 entry-level physiotherapist earns an annual salary of £32,073, which equates to an hourly rate of £16.40 based on a 37.5-hour week. At the top of Band 5, the salary rises to £39,043 (£19.97 per hour).

With experience, physiotherapists can move to Band 6, where the annual salary ranges from £39,959 (£20.44/hr) to £48,117 (£24.61/hr). Advanced practitioners or specialist physiotherapists often work at Band 7, with salaries from £49,387 (£25.26/hr) up to £56,515 (£28.90/hr). These figures are for standard pay without London weighting or other allowances.

How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

The standard NHS full-time working week is 37.5 hours. To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks

For example, if you are offered a physiotherapist role at £20 per hour, your gross annual salary would be approximately £20 × 37.5 × 52 = £39,000. This is a useful rule of thumb, but remember that actual pay may vary if you work fewer hours, have unpaid breaks, or receive overtime. Our Hourly to Salary guide explains this conversion in more detail.

Comparing with UK Averages

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 shows that the median gross annual earnings for all full-time employees in the UK was £39,039, with a median hourly rate of £19.67 (excluding overtime). This means a Band 5 physiotherapist at the top of their band earns roughly the national median, while Band 6 and above earn above the median. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025, so even entry-level NHS physiotherapist pay is well above the legal minimum.

London Weighting and High Cost Area Supplements

If you work in or near London, your physiotherapist salary will include a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). For inner London, this is 20% of basic salary (subject to a minimum of £5,794 and maximum of £8,746). Outer London receives 15% (min £4,870, max £6,137), and the fringe area receives 5% (min £1,346, max £2,270). These supplements significantly boost your hourly and annual pay. For example, a Band 5 entry physiotherapist in inner London would have an annual salary of about £38,488 (£19.68/hr) including HCAS.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

Your actual take-home pay will be lower than the gross salary due to deductions. For a Band 5 entry physiotherapist (standard NHS, no London weighting), the estimated net annual pay is around £24,483, or about £2,040 per month, after income tax, National Insurance, and the NHS pension contribution (typically 7.1% for that band). If you have a student loan or work overtime, these figures will change. For more detailed breakdowns, visit our salary articles which cover take-home pay for various NHS bands.

Private Sector and Locum Physiotherapist Salaries

While the NHS is the largest employer, physiotherapists also work in private practice, sports clubs, and as locums. Private sector salaries can vary widely and are not published in official scales. Locum physiotherapists often earn higher hourly rates (e.g., £25–£40 per hour) but may have less job security, no pension contributions, and no paid holiday. Always check your contract for holiday pay and sick pay entitlements.

Summary

The physiotherapist salary in the NHS for 2026/27 ranges from £32,073 (Band 5 entry) to £56,515 (Band 7 top), with hourly rates from £16.40 to £28.90. To convert any hourly offer to an annual figure, multiply by 37.5 hours and 52 weeks. Remember to factor in London weighting, pension contributions, and tax when estimating your take-home pay. For personalised calculations, use our hourly calculator or explore our salary data for more occupations.