Doctor Salary UK 2026/27: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Guide

Understanding Doctor Salaries in the UK (2026/27)

If you are considering a medical career or are already working as a doctor, knowing the current pay scales helps you plan your finances and negotiate your contract. This guide covers doctor salary bands for 2026/27 in England, based on official NHS pay scales and government announcements. We explain how pay is structured, what different roles earn, and how these figures compare to the UK minimum wage.

How Doctor Pay is Structured

Unlike hourly-paid workers, doctors in the NHS are salaried employees. Their basic annual salary is set according to their grade and experience, with additional payments for extra hours, unsocial hours, and on-call duties. The main pay groups are:

• Resident doctors (formerly junior doctors) – includes foundation trainees and specialty registrars.
• Specialty doctors and specialist grade doctors – experienced doctors who are not consultants.
• Consultants – the most senior hospital doctors.
• Salaried GPs – general practitioners employed by practices or primary care organisations.

Each group has its own pay scale, updated annually following recommendations from the independent pay review body (DDRB). For 2026/27, most doctors received a 3.5% increase to basic pay, with resident doctors receiving an average rise of 4.9% Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre.

Salary Ranges for Different Roles

Below are the basic annual salaries for full-time NHS doctors in England from 1 April 2026. Remember that actual take-home pay is often higher because of additional allowances.

Resident doctors

• Foundation year 1: £41,226
• Foundation year 2: up to £47,610
• Specialty training (ST1–ST8): £55,355 to £77,348

Specialty doctors and specialist grade

• Specialty doctor (2021 contract): £63,696 to £102,689
• Specialist grade: £104,401 to £115,341

Consultants

• Basic salary: £113,565 to £150,569 (depending on length of service)

Salaried GPs

• Pay range: £78,699 to £118,759

These figures come from Health Careers and the NHS Employers Pay and Conditions Circular.

Comparing Doctor Pay to Statutory Minimum Wage

The UK National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (2026/27). Even the lowest doctor salary – foundation year 1 at £41,226 – equates to roughly £19.82 per hour based on a 40-hour week. With night and weekend enhancements, the effective hourly rate is higher. All doctor salaries therefore sit far above the statutory minimum. For more context on hourly, weekly and annual pay across different jobs, see our pay guides and pay data pages.

Factors Affecting Take-Home Pay

A doctor’s total earnings depend on several factors beyond the basic salary:

• Unsocial hours enhancements: 37% extra for night work, weekend allowances, and overtime beyond 40 hours per week.
• On-call availability allowances: paid when required to be available outside normal hours.
• High-cost area supplements (HCAS): doctors working in London and the South East receive an additional 5% to 20% of basic salary, subject to minimum and maximum payments.
• Clinical excellence awards: consultants can apply for local or national awards that add to their basic pay.
• Flexible pay premia: trainees who complete an approved higher degree and return to clinical training can receive up to £10,000.

Because of these extras, a doctor’s actual annual income can be significantly higher than the basic salary shown in pay scales. For example, a foundation year 1 doctor’s total earnings can be around 26% higher than basic pay once unsocial hours are included Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre.

How to Interpret These Figures

When researching a doctor salary, always check whether the figure quoted is basic pay or total remuneration. Job adverts and NHS contracts usually state the basic annual salary, with additional allowances listed separately. If you are comparing roles, consider the whole package including pension contributions (the NHS pension is one of the most generous in the UK) and other benefits.

For the most up-to-date information, refer to official NHS pay scales published by NHS Employers and the Department of Health. Remember that pay rates differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and may be adjusted annually.

If you are a job seeker or employee wanting to understand how doctor pay compares to other roles, visit our UK Minimum Wage homepage for statutory rates and our pay data section for more salary benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a junior doctor earn in 2026/27? A foundation year 1 doctor earns a basic salary of £41,226 per year. Foundation year 2 doctors earn up to £47,610. Doctors in specialist training earn between £55,355 and £77,348. These are basic salaries; additional pay for night shifts, weekends and on-call work can increase total earnings significantly.

What is the hourly rate for a doctor in the NHS? NHS doctors are salaried, not paid by the hour. However, you can estimate an hourly rate by dividing the annual basic salary by the standard working hours (typically 40 hours per week, 52 weeks). For example, a foundation year 1 doctor on £41,226 works out at roughly £19.82 per hour before enhancements. Actual hourly earnings are higher when unsocial hours premiums are added.

Do doctors earn more than the National Living Wage? Yes, all NHS doctor salaries are well above the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour (for workers aged 21 and over). Even the lowest-paid foundation year 1 doctor earns a basic salary equivalent to about £19.82 per hour, and with enhancements the effective hourly rate is even higher.