Junior Doctor Salary UK: 2026/27 Pay Scales and Career Progression

Junior Doctor Salary UK: Understanding Your Pay in 2026/27

If you're looking into a career in medicine or are already training, understanding the junior doctor salary UK structure is essential. Junior doctors, also known as resident doctors, are paid according to national terms set by the Department of Health and Social Care, following recommendations from the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB). For 2026/27, pay scales have been updated with a 3.5% increase to basic pay for most doctors, plus additional reforms for those in training.

Basic Pay for Junior Doctors in 2026/27

The basic salary for a junior doctor depends on their training stage. The latest figures from NHS Employers show:

• Foundation Year 1 (FY1): £41,226 per year
• Foundation Year 2 (FY2): £47,610 per year
• Specialty Training Year 1/CT1 (ST1/CT1): £55,355 per year
• Specialty Training Year 2/CT2 (ST2/CT2): £55,355 per year
• ST3/CT3: £67,325 per year
• ST4/CT4: £67,998 per year
• ST5: £67,998 per year
• ST6: £76,582 per year
• ST7: £77,348 per year
• ST8: £77,348 per year

These figures are from the government's offer to the BMA and the Pay and Conditions Circular. Note that some nodal points have higher cumulative uplifts due to the pay reform package, which aims to give more frequent rises as doctors gain competencies.

How Junior Doctor Pay Compares to Other NHS Roles

While junior doctor salaries are specific to medical training, other NHS staff are paid under the Agenda for Change system. For example, a Band 5 nurse starts at £38,488, while a Band 6 starts at £47,951. However, junior doctors' pay is not directly comparable because of the different career structures and additional allowances. For a broader view of NHS pay, see our pay data page.

Additional Earnings and Allowances

Basic salary is only part of the picture. Junior doctors typically earn extra for working unsocial hours (nights, weekends, bank holidays), on-call duties, and overtime. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, these additional earnings can increase total pay by an average of 26% for FY1 doctors. For senior trainees, the percentage may be similar. There are also High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) for those working in London and the South East, which add 5% to 20% of basic salary depending on the area.

Additionally, the government has proposed reimbursing mandatory Royal College portfolio fees and exam costs, and a Flexible Pay Premia of up to £10,000 for trainees who complete an approved higher degree and return to clinical training.

The 2026/27 Pay Award and Reforms

The 2026/27 pay award for resident doctors includes a 3.5% DDRB increase on basic pay, but the government also offered a package that would have given average rises of 4.9% through nodal point reform. Although the BMA's Resident Doctors Committee did not accept the offer, the basic pay scales have been implemented. Over the past four years, resident doctors have seen cumulative increases of over 35%, making it one of the highest pay rises in the public sector.

For consultants and specialty doctors, basic pay increased by 3.5% from 1 April 2026. Consultants on the 2021 contract saw their salary scales rise accordingly.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

When considering a junior doctor salary UK, remember that take-home pay is affected by tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and student loan repayments. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme, and contributions are deducted from salary. Use our pay guides to estimate net pay.

Career Progression and Future Pay

The junior doctor pay structure is designed to reward progression. With the proposed reforms, doctors would move to higher nodal points more quickly as they achieve competencies, rather than waiting for annual increments. This means that a doctor starting at FY1 could see their basic salary increase significantly within a few years.

For more detailed information on NHS pay scales, visit the UK Minimum Wage site for links to official resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for a junior doctor in the UK? For 2026/27, a Foundation Year 1 doctor earns a basic salary of £41,226 per year. This does not include additional pay for unsocial hours or on-call duties.

How does junior doctor pay increase with training? Pay rises at each nodal point. For example, FY2 basic is £47,610, ST1/CT1 is £55,355, and ST8 is £77,348. The government has also proposed reforms for more frequent rises.

Do junior doctors receive extra pay for working nights or weekends? Yes, junior doctors receive supplements for unsocial hours, typically around 20-30% of basic salary. On-call and overtime can also increase total earnings.