Doctor salary in the UK can be different based on the doctor level, medical specialty, experience, NHS or private work, and the part of the UK where the doctor works. A doctor salary UK can start at a lower level during foundation and resident doctor training and can increase a lot with specialist training, becoming a GP or working as a consultant doctor. The NHS is the main employer for many doctors in the UK, but doctors can also earn income from private healthcare, extra sessions, on-call work and other professional activities. In general, GP salary in the UK can be around £79,000 for a starter and up to about £119,000 for an experienced GP according to the UK National Careers Service, while consultant doctor salaries and total earnings can be higher depending on the contract and experience. NHS doctor salary also depends on the current national pay arrangements, which are not exactly the same in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Doctor Salary in the UK
A doctor in the UK is a medical professional who diagnoses illness, treats patients and works in hospitals, GP surgeries, clinics and other healthcare services. Doctor pay in the UK is usually based on the level of training and the type of doctor job. A newly qualified doctor normally starts as a foundation doctor and then moves into further medical or surgical training. After completing specialist training, a doctor may work as a GP, consultant or another specialist doctor.
For many doctors, the NHS is the main source of employment and salary. NHS doctor salary is generally based on national pay arrangements, although the exact system can vary between the four UK nations. In England, the 2026/27 medical and dental pay arrangements include a 3.5% increase for resident doctors, SAS doctors, consultants and salaried GPs from 1 April 2026. The resident doctor pay structure was also changed as part of the 2026 deal.
Doctor salary in the UK is not one fixed number. A junior or resident doctor earns less than an experienced consultant, and a GP has a different type of pay structure from a hospital consultant. Some doctors also work extra shifts or private sessions, so their total yearly income can be different from their basic salary.
Doctor Salary in the UK by Country
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are separate NHS systems and pay arrangements in these nations, so doctor salary can be different depending on where the doctor is employed. This table gives a general salary picture and should not be treated as one fixed salary for every doctor.
| UK Country | Doctor Salary Information | Main Salary System |
|---|---|---|
| England | Doctor pay varies by training level, specialty and contract. NHS national medical pay arrangements apply, with a 3.5% uplift for 2026/27 for resident doctors, SAS doctors, consultants and salaried GPs. | NHS England / National Medical Pay |
| Scotland | Consultant basic pay for 2026/27 ranges from about £115,331 to £153,247 depending on pay point. Resident doctors have separate training pay scales. | NHS Scotland |
| Wales | Medical and dental pay scales for 2026/27 received a 3.5% basic pay uplift from 1 April 2026 for consultants and resident doctors. | NHS Wales |
| Northern Ireland | Doctor pay is based on Northern Ireland Health and Social Care pay arrangements, with separate scales for consultants, resident doctors, SAS doctors and GPs. | Health and Social Care Northern Ireland |
Scotland's published 2026/27 consultant scale shows pay from £115,331 at the first point to £153,247 at the highest listed point. The Scottish Government also lists separate resident doctor and specialty doctor scales.
In Wales, the 2026/27 medical and dental pay circular confirms a 3.5% uplift to basic pay from 1 April 2026 for consultants and resident doctors. Northern Ireland also uses its own medical and dental pay arrangements rather than simply using the England pay scale.
How Much Does a Doctor Make in the UK?
How much a doctor makes in the UK depends mainly on the doctor's career stage. A newly qualified doctor is normally still in postgraduate training, while an experienced consultant or GP can earn considerably more. Salary can also increase through pay progression, additional work, on-call duties and other payments.
For GP jobs, the UK National Careers Service currently lists an average salary range of £79,000 a year for a starter to £119,000 a year for an experienced GP. These figures are useful for understanding GP salary UK, but they should not be confused with every type of doctor salary in the UK.
- Foundation doctor salary: This is the early stage after medical school when a doctor starts practical postgraduate medical training.
- Resident doctor salary: Doctors in further training can earn more as they progress through training and pay points.
- GP salary UK: GPs working in general practice can earn a substantial annual income, with the National Careers Service listing £79,000 to £119,000 as its current salary range.
- Consultant doctor salary: Consultants are senior doctors and normally have higher basic salaries than doctors in training.
- Specialist doctor salary: Specialty and specialist doctors have their own NHS pay scales and can earn more with experience and progression.
- Private doctor income: Some doctors earn additional money from private healthcare work, but this is separate from the standard NHS basic salary.
- Extra doctor pay: On-call work, additional hours and other approved activities can increase total earnings depending on the job and contract.
NHS Doctor Salary in the UK
NHS doctor salary is one of the most common searches made by people who want to know how much doctors earn after medical school. The NHS uses different pay structures for doctors at different stages. Doctors in training, specialty doctors, consultants and salaried GPs are not all paid on the same scale.
In England, the 2026 medical and dental pay circular covers doctors and dentists working under national medical and dental terms. The 2026/27 award included a 3.5% increase for resident doctors, SAS doctors, consultants and salaried GPs, effective from 1 April 2026.
The actual amount a doctor receives can also be different from basic salary. NHS earnings data separates basic pay from non-basic pay, and non-basic pay can include additional activities and other payments. For doctors in training, supplements can also be connected with working hours, availability and antisocial hours.
Doctor Salary by Experience in the UK
Experience is one of the main things that changes a doctor's salary in the UK. A doctor does not normally move directly from medical school into a consultant job. There are several years of foundation training, specialty training or GP training before reaching the senior levels of the profession.
- Newly qualified doctor: Usually begins postgraduate training after completing medical school.
- Foundation doctor: Works through the early postgraduate training years and gains experience in different clinical areas.
- Specialty trainee: Continues specialist training in a selected medical or surgical field.
- GP trainee: Completes the required training to work as a general practitioner.
- Specialty doctor: Works at a more experienced level outside or alongside the consultant training pathway, depending on the contract.
- Consultant doctor: A senior doctor with specialist responsibility who can work in areas such as surgery, medicine, emergency care, psychiatry and many other specialties.
Consultant Doctor Salary in the UK
Consultant doctor salary in the UK is normally much higher than the salary of a doctor who is still in training. A consultant is a senior medical doctor who has completed specialist training and takes responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in a specialist area. Consultants can work in hospitals, NHS clinics and sometimes private healthcare.
There is not one single consultant doctor salary for the whole UK because England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own pay arrangements. In England, the national consultant pay scales were increased by 3.5% from 1 April 2026 under the 2026/27 pay award. The same 3.5% award also applies to resident doctors, SAS doctors and salaried GPs under the national arrangements. ([nhsemployers.org](https://www.nhsemployers.org/news/medical-and-dental-pay-and-conditions-circular-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Scotland publishes its own NHS consultant salary scale. For 2026/27, NHS Scotland lists consultant pay from £115,331 at the first pay point to £153,247 at the highest listed point. There are several intermediate pay points between these amounts. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-staff-pay/pages/consultants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- New consultant: Usually starts at the lower part of the consultant pay scale.
- Experienced consultant: Can move through the relevant national pay points with experience and progression.
- Senior consultant: Doctors at higher pay points can have a basic salary above £150,000 in some UK NHS systems.
- Additional earnings: On-call duties, additional sessions and some other payments can increase total earnings above basic salary.
- Private work: Consultants may also have private medical work, but this income is separate from their NHS basic salary.
Junior Doctor Salary in the UK
Junior doctor salary UK is another very common search because many people use the term junior doctor for doctors who are still in postgraduate training. In current NHS terminology, resident doctor is increasingly used for doctors in training. These doctors work in hospitals and other clinical settings while completing different stages of postgraduate education.
A junior or resident doctor's salary is not fixed for the full training period. Pay can increase as the doctor moves through different training stages and pay points. The actual amount can also be affected by working hours, out-of-hours work and other contractual payments.
In England, the 2026/27 pay award increased the resident doctor pay points by 3.5% from 1 April 2026. NHS Employers also has specific guidance for implementation of the 2026 resident doctors' deal, including updated pay figures and nodal points. ([nhsemployers.org](https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics/pay-pensions-and-reward/resident-doctor-2026-deal-guidance?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Scotland has a separate resident doctor pay structure. Its published April 2026 figures range from £46,286 at the minimum point to £64,445 at the highest listed point in the resident doctor table. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-staff-pay/pages/resident-doctors/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
GP Salary in the UK
GP salary UK can be different from hospital doctor salary because general practitioners work mainly in primary care and can have different employment and partnership arrangements. A GP may be a salaried GP, a partner in a practice or may work through other contracts.
The UK National Careers Service currently gives a salary range of about £79,000 a year for a starter GP to £119,000 a year for an experienced GP. This is a useful published guide for people searching how much do GPs earn in the UK, but actual earnings can vary by working arrangement, location, experience and the type of GP role.
- Salaried GP: Receives a salary from a GP practice or other employer.
- GP partner: Has a different income arrangement and may receive income linked to the practice business.
- Locum GP: Works on a temporary or sessional basis and is generally paid according to the work or sessions completed.
- Experienced GP: Can have higher earnings than a newly qualified GP depending on role and working arrangement.
- Additional GP work: Some GPs also work additional sessions, out-of-hours services or other medical activities.
Specialist Doctor Salary UK
Specialist doctor salary UK can refer to doctors who work as specialty doctors, specialist doctors or other senior non-consultant medical roles. These doctors can have many years of clinical experience and may have significant responsibility for patient care.
In England, specialty and specialist doctors are covered by the national medical pay arrangements and received a 3.5% increase to basic pay from 1 April 2026. ([nhsemployers.org](https://www.nhsemployers.org/news/medical-and-dental-pay-and-conditions-circular-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Scotland also publishes separate pay scales for SAS doctors. For example, the 2026/27 associate specialist scale is listed from £104,401 to £115,342 depending on pay point. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-staff-pay/pages/speciality-and-associate-specialist-sas-doctors/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Doctor Salary Per Year in the UK
Doctor salary per year in the UK is usually discussed as gross annual pay before income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and other deductions. The yearly amount depends on the doctor's grade, specialty, experience and working arrangement.
For example, a foundation or resident doctor will normally have a lower basic salary than a consultant. A GP can have a different income structure, while a consultant may move through several pay points during their career. Because of this, using one average number for every UK doctor can give a misleading picture.
- Training doctor: Earnings are based on the relevant resident doctor or training pay structure.
- GP: Published career guidance currently gives around £79,000 to £119,000 per year depending on experience.
- Specialist doctor: Pay depends on the applicable SAS or specialist doctor scale.
- Consultant: Senior doctor salary is based on the consultant pay scale and can exceed £150,000 at the top of some UK scales.
- Private doctor: Total annual income can be different because private work is not included in NHS basic salary.
Doctor Salary Per Month in the UK
People searching doctor salary per month UK should remember that the monthly figure is normally calculated from the annual gross salary. It is not the same as the amount a doctor takes home after tax. For example, a doctor with a £100,000 gross annual salary would have an average gross monthly equivalent of about £8,333 before deductions.
The actual monthly payslip can be different because NHS doctors may receive additional payments, deductions, pension contributions, tax adjustments and other amounts. Some doctors can also have different pay from month to month when extra shifts or other work are included.
Doctor Salary After Tax in the UK
Doctor salary after tax UK is lower than the advertised gross salary. Doctors normally pay income tax and National Insurance, and NHS employees may also make pension contributions. The exact take-home pay depends on the annual income, tax code, pension choices and personal circumstances.
This means a doctor earning £100,000 a year does not normally receive £100,000 in their bank account. The £100,000 figure is gross income before the relevant deductions. Doctors earning more can also move into higher income tax bands, so the difference between gross salary and take-home pay becomes important when comparing UK doctor salaries.
How Much Do Doctors Earn in the UK With Extra Work?
Basic doctor salary is only one part of total earnings for some NHS doctors. Doctors can sometimes receive additional money for extra duties, on-call work, additional sessions or other work covered by their contract. The amount depends on the job and the contract, so it is not possible to give one extra income figure for every doctor.
NHS pay information distinguishes basic pay from non-basic pay. Non-basic pay can include additional payments connected with the work doctors perform, meaning total annual earnings can be higher than the basic salary shown on a pay scale. ([digital.nhs.uk](https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-staff-earnings-estimates/march-2026/appendix-a---description-of-non-basic-pay-measures?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- On-call payments: Some doctors receive additional pay for on-call responsibilities.
- Additional sessions: Extra clinical sessions can increase yearly earnings.
- Out-of-hours work: Evening, night or weekend work may affect total pay depending on the contract.
- Locum work: Some doctors take temporary or additional medical work outside their main role.
- Private practice: Some senior doctors also earn income from private healthcare work.
Highest Paid Doctors in the UK
There is no single job title that can be called the highest paid doctor in the UK for every situation because total income can include basic NHS salary, additional payments and private work. Senior consultant doctors can have high basic salaries, while some doctors may have additional earnings outside their NHS salary.
Medical specialty can also affect earning opportunities, but a specialty should not be judged only by salary. Training length, working hours, responsibility, location, contract type and opportunities for additional work are also different between medical careers.
Doctor Salary England vs Scotland vs Wales vs Northern Ireland
Doctor salary England and doctor salary Scotland are not always identical because the NHS systems in the four UK nations have separate pay arrangements. Scotland publishes its own salary scales, while England has national medical pay arrangements through NHS Employers. Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own arrangements.
For this reason, someone comparing doctor salary UK should check the specific country and doctor grade instead of using a single UK-wide salary number. Even within the same country, a resident doctor, GP, specialty doctor and consultant can have very different pay.
Doctor Salary in London UK
Doctor salary in London UK is based on the same main NHS pay structures as other parts of England, so working in London does not automatically mean every doctor gets a completely different basic salary. However, some doctors may receive additional payments or work under arrangements where location affects their total earnings.
London is also a major centre for hospitals, specialist medical services, teaching hospitals and private healthcare. Because of this, doctors may find different types of medical jobs in London, including NHS hospital jobs, GP jobs, specialist positions, research roles and private medical work.
- NHS doctors in London: Usually follow the relevant England national medical pay arrangements.
- Consultants: Basic pay depends mainly on the consultant pay scale and experience rather than simply being in London.
- GPs: Can work as salaried GPs, partners or locums with different income arrangements.
- Private doctors: May have additional income from private healthcare work.
- Training doctors: Continue to receive pay according to their relevant training grade and contract.
Doctor Starting Salary in the UK
Doctor starting salary UK normally refers to the salary a newly qualified doctor receives when starting postgraduate medical training. Becoming a doctor takes several years, so the starting salary comes after medical school and the required first stage of postgraduate training.
The starting salary is not the same as a consultant or experienced GP salary. A doctor normally progresses through several training stages before reaching a senior medical position. As training and responsibility increase, the applicable salary scale can also increase.
Doctors should also remember that the gross starting salary is different from take-home pay. Income tax, National Insurance and pension deductions can reduce the amount that reaches the doctor's bank account.
Medical Doctor Salary in the UK
Medical doctor salary UK is a broad search term because doctors work in many different areas of medicine. A hospital doctor, GP, psychiatrist, surgeon, emergency doctor and consultant can all have different pay depending on their grade and contract.
The NHS remains one of the largest employers of doctors in the UK. National pay arrangements provide salary structures for different medical grades, but doctors can also have additional earnings depending on working patterns and other responsibilities.
- Hospital doctor: May work in medicine, surgery, emergency care or another hospital specialty.
- GP: Provides primary medical care, usually through a GP practice or related service.
- Surgeon: Works in a surgical specialty and may progress to consultant level.
- Psychiatrist: Provides specialist medical care for mental health conditions.
- Emergency doctor: Works in emergency departments and deals with urgent and serious medical conditions.
- Consultant: Provides senior specialist medical care and often has responsibility for complex clinical decisions.
Average Doctor Salary UK
Average doctor salary UK can be difficult to give as one exact number because the doctor workforce includes people at very different stages of their careers. A newly qualified doctor and a senior consultant are both doctors, but their salaries can be separated by many years of training and progression.
For this reason, salary ranges by career level are normally more useful than one UK average. GP salary, resident doctor salary, specialty doctor salary and consultant salary should be looked at separately when comparing medical careers.
Official NHS pay scales are generally a better source for a specific doctor's basic salary than a general online average. Actual total earnings can also be affected by non-basic pay, additional duties and working arrangements.
NHS Consultant Salary UK
NHS consultant salary UK is based on the consultant pay arrangements of the relevant UK nation. In England, consultant pay is covered by the national medical and dental pay arrangements. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, separate NHS arrangements apply.
Consultants are experienced specialist doctors, and their basic pay is normally considerably higher than the pay of doctors who are still in postgraduate training. The exact salary depends on the applicable pay scale and the doctor's pay point.
For example, Scotland's published 2026/27 consultant scale runs from £115,331 to £153,247. This demonstrates why a senior consultant salary can be above £150,000 in parts of the UK, although the exact figure depends on the nation, contract and pay point. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-staff-pay/pages/consultants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
How Much Does a GP Make in the UK?
How much does a GP make in the UK is one of the most searched questions about medical income. The National Careers Service currently lists GP salaries from about £79,000 for a starter to £119,000 for an experienced GP. These figures are annual gross salary guidance and actual GP income can be different according to the working arrangement.
A salaried GP normally receives a salary from the practice or employer. A GP partner has a different financial arrangement because the doctor can have a share in the practice business. A locum GP can also have income based on individual sessions or temporary contracts.
- Starter GP: Around £79,000 annual salary according to current National Careers Service guidance.
- Experienced GP: Up to around £119,000 in the same published guidance.
- Salaried GP: Receives an agreed salary from the employing practice or organisation.
- GP partner: Income can depend on the financial performance and arrangement of the practice.
- Locum GP: Income is generally connected to sessions or temporary work completed.
How Much Does a Doctor Earn in the UK Per Year?
How much a doctor earns in the UK per year depends on the level of the doctor. There is a large difference between a doctor who has just started postgraduate training and a doctor who has reached consultant level. GP income also follows a different structure from hospital consultant pay.
The best way to understand doctor earnings is to look at the doctor's grade first and then the applicable national pay scale. Additional work can increase total earnings, but it should not be added to the basic salary unless the specific payment is known.
How Much Do Doctors Earn in the UK Per Hour?
Doctor hourly pay UK is not normally shown as one simple hourly rate because doctors are employed under different contracts and can work different hours. Some doctors also work on-call, nights, weekends or additional sessions.
If someone wants to estimate an hourly equivalent, the annual salary can be divided by the contracted annual working hours. But this is only an estimate and does not necessarily represent the actual rate paid for every hour. Additional payments and unsocial hours can change the amount.
UK Doctor Salary by Specialty
Doctor salary by specialty UK can vary because different specialties have different training routes, contracts and working patterns. The basic NHS salary is generally connected to the doctor's grade rather than a simple rule that one specialty always pays more than another.
- General Practice: GPs have their own income and employment arrangements.
- Surgery: Surgical doctors can progress through specialty training and consultant roles.
- Emergency Medicine: Doctors may work significant out-of-hours and emergency department duties.
- Psychiatry: Doctors work in different mental health specialties and can progress to consultant level.
- Paediatrics: Doctors provide medical care to children and young people.
- Anaesthetics: Doctors work with patients undergoing surgery and other procedures.
- Radiology: Doctors specialise in medical imaging and diagnostic work.
- Cardiology: Doctors specialise in cardiovascular medicine and can progress through specialist training.
What Affects Doctor Salary in the UK?
There are several things that can affect how much a doctor earns in the UK. The most important factor is usually the doctor's grade and position. Experience, location, contract, working hours and additional duties can also change total earnings.
- Experience: More experienced doctors can progress to higher pay points.
- Career level: Consultant, GP, specialty doctor and resident doctor roles have different pay structures.
- Country: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate NHS pay arrangements.
- Specialty: Medical specialties have different training routes and working patterns.
- Working hours: Nights, weekends, on-call and additional sessions can affect total earnings.
- Contract: Salaried, partnership, locum and NHS contracts can produce different income arrangements.
- Private work: Some doctors earn additional income outside their main NHS role.
- Pay progression: Moving through the applicable pay scale can increase basic salary.
Doctor Salary UK vs Other Healthcare Jobs
Doctors generally have a different salary structure from nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals because becoming a doctor requires medical school followed by several years of postgraduate training. The level of responsibility and the career pathway are also different.
However, salary should be compared using the same measures. A basic annual salary, total annual earnings and take-home pay are three different things. Working hours, training length and pension arrangements can also make a major difference when comparing healthcare careers.
Is Doctor a High Salary Job in the UK?
Doctor salaries can become substantial at senior career levels, particularly for experienced GPs and consultants. But reaching the higher salary levels normally requires many years of education, medical training and professional experience.
The salary also needs to be understood alongside the working conditions of the job. Doctors can work long or irregular hours, including nights, weekends and on-call periods depending on their specialty and role. Therefore, the advertised annual salary is only one part of the overall job picture.
Final Summary of Doctor Salary in the UK
Doctor salary in the UK changes significantly according to career stage, experience, specialty and country. Doctors in postgraduate training start on the relevant resident doctor pay structure, while GPs and consultants have separate salary arrangements. Current National Careers Service guidance gives GP salaries of about £79,000 to £119,000 per year, while published NHS consultant scales can reach above £150,000 at senior pay points in some parts of the UK.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own NHS pay arrangements, so a doctor salary UK comparison should always use the correct country and medical grade. Basic salary is also different from total earnings because doctors may receive additional payments for extra work, on-call duties or other contractual activities.
For anyone searching how much doctors earn in the UK, the most useful approach is to look at the doctor's exact career level first. A foundation doctor, resident doctor, GP, specialty doctor and consultant can all have very different salaries even though they are all medical doctors.