Radiographer Salary UK: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay in 2026/27

Understanding the Radiographer Salary UK in 2026/27

If you're exploring a career in medical imaging or radiotherapy, knowing the radiographer salary UK is essential. Radiographers are highly skilled allied health professionals who work in the NHS and private sector, operating X-ray, CT, MRI and other imaging equipment (diagnostic radiographers) or delivering radiotherapy for cancer treatment (therapeutic radiographers). Pay is structured under the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) framework, with clear bands and steps.

This guide breaks down radiographer pay into hourly, weekly and annual figures, explains take-home pay, and compares earnings to the National Living Wage. We draw on official NHS pay scales for 2026/27, ONS earnings data, and reputable salary surveys.

NHS Agenda for Change Pay Bands for Radiographers

Radiographers in the NHS are paid on AfC bands depending on their role and experience:

• Band 5: Newly qualified diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers.
• Band 6: Specialist radiographers (e.g., CT, MRI, ultrasound).
• Band 7: Advanced or reporting radiographers.
• Band 8a: Consultant radiographers (rare).

According to NHS Employers, the 2026/27 annual and hourly rates (England, excluding London weighting) are:

Band	Entry annual	Top annual	Entry hourly	Top hourly
5	£32,073	£39,043	£16.40	£19.97
6	£39,959	£48,117	£20.44	£24.61
7	£49,387	£56,515	£25.26	£28.90
8a	£66,274	£73,496	£33.89	£37.59

These figures are for full-time (37.5 hours/week) and do not include High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) for London and fringe areas, which add 5–20% of basic salary.

Hourly vs Weekly vs Annual Pay

Understanding pay in different timeframes helps compare with other jobs or the minimum wage. For a Band 5 radiographer at entry:

• Hourly: £16.40
• Weekly (37.5 hours): £615
• Annual: £32,073

At the top of Band 7:

• Hourly: £28.90
• Weekly: £1,083.75
• Annual: £56,515

These hourly rates are well above the UK Minimum Wage, which for 2026/27 is £12.71 for those aged 21+ (National Living Wage). Even the lowest NHS radiographer pay exceeds the minimum by over 25%.

Take-Home Pay After Tax, NI and Pension

Gross salary is not what lands in your bank account. NHS radiographers pay income tax, National Insurance and an NHS pension contribution (typically 7.5–9.5% of pensionable pay). NHS Pay Bands provides take-home estimates for 2026/27 (England, no student loan):

Band	Entry gross	Entry net	Top gross	Top net	Monthly net at top
5	£32,073	£24,483	£39,043	£28,570	£2,381
6	£39,959	£29,157	£48,117	£34,391	£2,866
7	£49,387	£35,206	£56,515	£39,708	£3,309

Take-home is roughly 70–76% of gross. For a more personalised calculation, see our pay guides or use the NHS pay calculator.

Regional Variations in Radiographer Pay

ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 provisional data for medical radiographers shows significant regional differences. The FNCE report lists median annual gross pay by region:

• East of England: £53,607
• Scotland: £47,035
• South West: £46,738
• North West: £46,652
• North East: £45,791
• London: £43,084
• West Midlands: £41,494
• South East: £37,639
• East Midlands: £34,167

London's median appears lower than some regions, but NHS HCAS (up to 20% of basic) can boost take-home pay significantly. For example, a Band 5 radiographer in inner London receives an additional £5,794–£8,746 per year.

Career Progression and Salary Growth

Starting as a Band 5 radiographer, you can progress to Band 6 after gaining experience and specialist qualifications (e.g., CT, MRI, mammography). With further training and advanced practice, Band 7 and even Band 8a roles become possible. Each band has multiple pay steps, so annual increments increase your salary within the band. The pay data section on our site has full step-by-step breakdowns.

How Radiographer Pay Compares to Other Healthcare Roles

Radiographer salaries are comparable to other allied health professionals like physiotherapists, occupational therapists and paramedics, all of whom start at Band 5. However, radiographers often have opportunities for overtime, unsocial hours payments (typically time-and-a-third to time-and-a-half) and on-call allowances, which can boost annual earnings by several thousand pounds.

Private Sector and Locum Radiographer Rates

Private hospitals and locum agencies may offer higher hourly rates, but often without pension contributions, sick pay or holiday pay. Locum diagnostic radiographers can earn £35–£50 per hour, but this is not guaranteed and varies by location and demand. Always compare total compensation packages.

Summary

The radiographer salary UK in 2026/27 ranges from around £32,000 for newly qualified NHS staff to over £56,000 for advanced practitioners, with take-home pay typically 70–76% of gross. Hourly rates start at £16.40, well above the National Living Wage. Regional variations and London weighting can significantly affect earnings. For more detailed breakdowns, visit our topics page or use the NHS pay calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for a newly qualified radiographer in the NHS?

Newly qualified diagnostic radiographers in the NHS start on Agenda for Change Band 5. For 2026/27, the entry point is £32,073 a year gross (approximately £16.40 per hour). After tax, National Insurance and the NHS pension contribution, take-home pay is around £24,483 a year (£2,040 per month). These figures are for England and exclude London weighting or high-cost area supplements.

How does the radiographer salary UK compare to the National Living Wage?

The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (2026/27). Even the lowest NHS radiographer pay (Band 5 entry at £16.40/hr) is well above this. More experienced radiographers on Band 6 or 7 earn £20–£29 per hour, significantly exceeding the minimum wage. However, starting salaries for radiographers in private sector or locum roles may vary.

Do radiographer salaries vary by region in the UK?

Yes. According to ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data, median annual pay for medical radiographers ranges from around £34,167 in the East Midlands to £53,607 in the East of England. London median is £43,084, which is lower than some other regions but often offset by higher NHS High Cost Area Supplements (up to 20% of basic salary). Scotland, the North West and South West also show above-average medians.