NHS Consultant Salary: Monthly Take-Home Pay for International Doctors in Scotland
For international medical graduates (IMGs) interested in NHS jobs in Scotland, understanding what an NHS consultant salary translates to in monthly take-home pay is essential for financial planning. To assist overseas doctors in preparing for life in the UK, we’ve provided examples to give you a clearer idea of your potential monthly earnings.
How Much Will I Take Home?
In the UK, your take-home pay is the amount you receive in your bank account after all mandatory deductions from your annual salary. These deductions include:
Income Tax
National Insurance contributions
NHS pension payments
Our figures serve as a general guideline. They are based on the gross salary for each pay scale and assume no additional sources of income. However, your actual take-home pay can vary based on:
Additional responsibilities or extra hours worked
Other income sources
Your final tax bracket
Decisions regarding NHS pension contributions
Claims for tax-deductible expenses
Take-Home Pay Expectations in Scotland
For NHS consultants in Scotland, the monthly take-home pay will depend on these factors. Use our examples as a starting point, but remember that actual earnings can differ. To get the most accurate information for your specific situation, consult with an IMG specialist or financial advisor. Understanding how NHS consultant salaries translate into monthly take-home pay will help you effectively plan your finances and ensure a smooth transition to your new role in Scotland.
Threshold
Annual gross salary*
Estimated annual take-home pay**
Estimated monthly take-home pay**
1
£107,144
£67,394
£5,616
2
£109,407
£68,084
£5,673
3
£112,662
£69,077
£5,756
4
£115,921
£70,071
£5,839
5
£119,170
£71,061
£5,921
6
£126,905
£73,761
£6,146
7
£134,640
£77,628
£6,469
8
£142,369
£81,493
£6,791
*before tax and pension
**based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions
To explore detailed information on NHS pay scales and salary conditions across all grades in the UK, check out our comprehensive series of blogs on career structure and NHS doctor pay in our IMG Resources library. These resources are designed to help international doctors understand their earning potential at various stages of their careers in the NHS.
Are you an international doctor considering a move to the UK and curious about NHS pay in Wales? Understanding what an NHS consultant salary means in terms of monthly take-home pay is crucial for your financial planning.
To help overseas doctors like you prepare for life in the UK, we've put together practical examples to illustrate what you can realistically expect to keep each month in Wales. These insights aim to make your transition smoother and more informed.
How Much Will I Take Home?
In the UK, your take-home pay is the amount that reaches your bank account after mandatory deductions, such as Income Tax, National Insurance, and NHS pension contributions, have been made from your annual salary.
Please note that these figures are intended as a guideline. We've based them on gross salary at each pay threshold, assuming no other sources of income. Your actual take-home pay may vary depending on factors like additional responsibilities, extra hours worked, other income sources, your tax bracket, pension choices, and any tax-deductible expenses you claim.
By providing these examples, we aim to support your journey towards a fulfilling career in the NHS and a well-prepared life in Wales.
Take-Home Pay Expectations in Wales
Threshold
Annual gross salary*
Estimated annual take-home pay**
Estimated monthly take-home pay**
1
£106,000
£70,841
£5,903
2
£111,300
£72,855
£6,071
3
£116,600
£74,869
£6,239
4
£121,900
£76,883
£6,406
5
£130,380
£80,887
£6,740
6
£137,800
£84,820
£7,068
7
£146,280
£89,314
£7,442
8
£154,760
£93,809
£7,817
*based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions
To explore doctor pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK, including NHS pay in Wales, check out our series of blogs on career structure and NHS salaries in our IMG Resources library.
Understanding your NHS doctor salary in Scotland is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK.
In this guide, we aim to provide clarity on NHS grades in Scotland and how they align with the various NHS pay bands. If you're an international doctor considering a position in the NHS, understanding these pay structures is key to maximizing your earning potential in Scotland.
In this article we will take a look at the following topics:
Trust doctor jobs and pay for IMGs
Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Scotland
FY1 & FY2
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
Specialty Doctor
Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist
Consultant
Where do I fit on the pay scale?
Doctors in training pay scale
SAS Doctor pay scale
Consultant pay scale
Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
Trust Doctor Jobs & IMGs' Pay
It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.
As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+. These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.
The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post).
Typical NHS Doctor’s Salary in Scotland
FY1 & FY2
In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £34,500, increasing to in Foundation Year 2 (FY2) £42,794.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £45,503 and can progress to £71,549.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.
Specialty Doctor
Specialty doctors currently earn from £61, 690 to £96,129 basic pay.
The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.
Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist
A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist Grade (or Associate Specialist), which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Specialist Grade doctors can earn a basic of between £96,990 to £107,154.
Consultant
Consultants currently earn from £107,144 to £142,369 basic pay.
As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week.
If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.
Placement onto Pay Scale
There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:
Job title
Experience
Hours worked
Trusts can be different
Job Title
The first thing to consider is your job title.
At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.
Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.
Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.
Experience within your chosen field
Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.
This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.
Hours you will work
The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For more senior doctors, including Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists/ Specialist Grades and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.
NHS trusts can be different
The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!
This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account.
NHS Pay Scales in Scotland
Doctors in Training
Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.
The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1/ F1, ST1/ CT1 and ST3/ 4.
The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars
Scale
Foundation Doctor 1
MN13
Foundation Doctor 2
MN13
Specialty Registrar (fixed term)
MN35
Specialty Registrar (core training)
MN39
Specialty Registrar (full)
MN37
Min
£34,500
£42,794
£45,504
£45,504
£45,504
1
£36,657
£45,593
£48,288
£48,288
£48,288
2
£38,809
£48,391
£52,177
£52,177
£52,177
3
£54,528
£54,528
£54,528
4
£57,363
£57,363
£57,363
5
£60,199
£60,199
£60,199
6
£63,039
7
£65,875
8
£68,710
9
£71,550
SAS Doctor Pay Scale
SAS stands for Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in the relevant specialty. Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in Scotland have their own contracts in place for senior doctors these contracts are based in full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities per week it has been timetabled value of four hours. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings.
It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.
The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.
Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.
In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.
The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Scale Point
Specialty Doctor
Years on Point
1
£61, 690
3 years
2
£73,593
3 year
3
£78,099
3 years
4
£87,115
3 years
5
£96,129
3 years
5
£73,59
3 years
Scale Point
Specialist Doctor
Years at Pay Point
1
£96,990
3 Years
2
£100,784
3 Years
3
£107,154
3 Years
Consultant Pay Scale
Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Scotland at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.
At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.
On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.
Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10 PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Pay Point
Basic salary
Seniority (in years)
1
£107,144
0
2
£109,407
1
3
£112,662
2
4
£115,921
3
5
£119,170
4
6
£119,170
5
7
£119,170
6
8
£119,170
7
9
£119,170
8
10
£126,905
9
11
£126,905
10
12
£126,905
11
13
£126,905
12
14
£126,905
13
15
£134,640
14
16
£134,640
15
17
£134,640
16
18
£134,640
17
19
£142,369
18
Additional Pay, Benefits, Pensions and Terms & Conditions
Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in the pay and conditions circulars here.
You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.
Navigating the NHS pay scales can be complex for international doctors considering a career in the UK. The NHS features various grades of doctors, each with its own pay scale and role within the National Health Service. This article provides a clear and concise overview of these different doctor grades, their corresponding pay, and the roles they fulfill within the NHS.
In this guide, we will explore:
The different grades of doctors in the NHS
The pay scales associated with each grade
The specific roles and responsibilities of each doctor grade
Whether you’re an IMG preparing for your career in the UK or a current NHS doctor seeking clarity on pay structures, this article will help you understand the key aspects of NHS doctor salaries and job roles.
Designations of UK doctors
Medical students
Junior doctors
SAS doctors
Consultants
Trust doctors
General Practitioners
Locum doctors
Academic doctors
Pay and conditions circulars
Designations of UK doctors
Other than for medical students, all doctors we list below are medically qualified and can use the title Dr before their name. For historical reasons in the UK, surgeons may use the title ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Ms’. A doctor that is a university professor may also use the title ‘Professor’ instead of ‘Dr’.
Medical students
Medical students usually undertake a five-year course of study for undergraduate or a four-year postgraduate course to become a doctor.
Two years studying basic medical sciences is followed by three years more clinically focused training, during which they will work in hospital wards under the supervision of consultants.
Following completion of their medical degree, newly qualified doctors gain provisional registration with the GMC. They will receive their primary medical qualification which is typically denoted in the UK by either: MBBS, MBChB, BM, MBBCh.
Junior doctors
Medical graduates enter the medical workforce as junior doctors. They are employed on a national negotiated contract on a two-year work-based training programme known as the Foundation Programme. The Foundation Programme is the first level of clinical training for a qualified doctor, bridging the gap between medical school and Specialty Training.
The Foundation Programme is carried out in hospitals over two years which are referred to as FY1 and FY2. Upon completion of FY1, a doctor will gain full registration with the GMC.
Completion of FY2 allows doctors to apply for further study and training in a specialised area of medicine, known as Specialty Training. Doctors enter Specialty Training at ST1 and the length and type of training will depend on the specialty chosen – specialist training can take up to eight years.
In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £32,398. In year two this increases to £37,303.
If you are a doctor starting your Specialty Training, your basic salary starts at £37,068 and can progress to £46,404.
Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctors (SAS Doctors):
SAS doctors are in non-training roles where the doctor has at least four years of postgraduate training, two of which being in a relevant specialty (FY1, FY2 and two years specialist training). This means doctors can move into these posts at various levels of experience and seniority whilst also gaining experience and promotion within the grade itself.
SAS doctors are typically more focused on meeting service requirements when compared to trainee or consultant roles. Often, they have considerably fewer administrative duties when compared to consultants and can have very ‘hands on’ roles with lots of patient contact. Specialty doctors currently earn from £59,175 to £95,400 basic pay. As an overseas doctor, there are many factors that will determine where on this pay scale an HR department places you, so it is hard to provide one general rule to help you estimate what salary you might be eligible for.
Whilst the titles staff grade, specialty doctor and associate specialist are all commonly used, recent changes to terminology means that all SAS doctors are now on Specialty Doctor contracts.
WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU WOULD BE PLACED ONTO THE NHS PAY SCALES? REGISTER HERE FOR CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.
Consultants
Consultants are senior doctors that have completed full specialist medical training in a specialised area of medicine and are listed on the GMC’s specialist register, gaining the accreditation CCT. Doctors can also meet the criteria for specialist registration via the CESR route, consider your eligibility for CESR here.
Consultants have clinical and administrative responsibilities in managing SAS and junior doctors.
Consultants currently earn from £99,532 to £131,964 basic pay and as an international doctor, your years' completed as a consultant will place you on this scale.
Trust doctors:
Trust doctors in the NHS are employed for service posts, and trust doctor is a term applied to a doctor who is working in the NHS in a non-training post. Trust doctor jobs in the NHS cover a range of grades and apply to all specialties.
Typically, the title trust doctor is applied to a doctor working at Senior House Level (FY1 & 2), however the term has now become synonymous with all grades. It is now a term most commonly applied to doctors from FY1 to ST3 but can be applied to specialty doctors by some trusts.
Many of the doctors accepting service posts are from overseas as this can be a quick way to enter the NHS system and start your career in the UK.
Trust doctor posts also offer very competitive rates, so whilst you are getting to know the NHS and settling into life in the UK, you can also ensure that you are financially rewarded.
Locum Doctors
Locums doctors are fully qualified doctors who temporarily cover a position, often covering things like sick leave or maternity. All doctors can work as a locum aside from FY1 doctors and it can be done via an agency or NHS locum post. Overseas consultants not yet on the specialist register can apply for locum consultant positions, not substantive.
Academic Doctors
Academic doctors often combine clinical care with teaching and research, doing so to develop the science of medicine. They can be any grade of doctor from an FY2 to a consultant, GP or SAS doctor. Common academic job titles, in order of seniority are:
Prof Professor
CSL Senior Clinical Lecturer / Associate Professor
CRF Clinical Research Fellow
CL Clinical Lecturer
ACF Academic Clinical Fellow
Pay and Conditions Circulars:
Current national salary scales for all medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers' website.
To explore doctor pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK, including NHS pay in Wales, check out our series of blogs on career structure and NHS salaries in our IMG Resources library.
One of the most important questions to consider when searching for an NHS job as a doctor is, 'What salaries do doctors receive in the UK?
The NHS is one of the most developed health systems in the world and international doctors form an integral part of delivering high quality patient care, as such they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.
In this short article we provide an overview of doctor's pay in the UK by grade, salary estimates are based on the NHS Doctor Salary pay scale.
It is important to note that the below rates of pay are a guide based on current NHS pay scales, and it is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the pay opportunities before you start applying for posts in the UK.
It is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on your experience and demand.
For overseas doctors, posts will include competitive rates of pay, additional pay for extra hours worked, benefits and pensions.
FY1 & FY2
In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1), your basic salary is £32,398 and in Year 2 (FY2), your basic salary is £37,303.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premia.
Specialty Training (ST1 – ST8)
If you are a doctor starting your specialist training, your basic salary starts at £43,923 and can progress to £63,152.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premia.
Specialty doctors
Specialty doctors currently earn from £59,175 to £95,400 basic pay.
The basic contract is for 40 hours.
Consultants
Consultants currently earn from £105,504 to £139,882 basic pay.
As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week.
If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.
Pay and terms and conditions
Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.
Why not browse our live doctor jobs and check your doctor's salary in the UK.
You can find more overviews on doctor salary and pay conditions here.
Understanding your NHS job's salary or pay is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK.
Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.
NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales.
In this article we will take a look at the following topics:
Typical NHS doctor’s salary in the UK
FY1 & FY2
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
Specialty doctors
Specialist Grade
Consultants
Where do I fit on the pay scale?
Doctors in training pay scale
Specialty Doctor pay scale
Specialist Grade pay scale
Consultant pay scale
Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
Trust doctor jobs and IMGs' pay
It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.
As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+.These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.
The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post).
Typical NHS doctor’s salary in the UK
FY1 & FY2
In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £32,398. As an FY2 this increases to £37,303.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £43,923 and can progress to £63,152.
As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.
Specialty doctors
Specialty doctors currently earn from £59,175 to £95,400 basic pay.
The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.
Specialist Grade
A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist grade, which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Specialist Grade doctors can earn a basic of between £96,990 to £107,155.
Consultants
Consultants currently earn from £105,504 to £139,882 basic pay.
As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week.
If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.
So where do I fit on the pay scale?
There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:
Job title
Experience
Hours worked
Trusts can be different
Job title:
The first thing to consider is your job title.
At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.
Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.
Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.
Experience within your chosen field:
Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.
This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.
Hours you will work:
The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For both Specialty Doctors and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.
NHS trusts can be different:
The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!
This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account.
Pay scales:
Doctors in training pay scale
Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.
The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1, ST1/CT1 and ST3/4.
The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training)
Grade
Stage of training
Grade Code
Nodal Point
Value (£)
Foundation Doctor Year 1
FY1
MF01
1
32,398
Foundation Doctor Year 2
FY2
MF01
2
37,303
Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training)
CT1
MC51
3
43,923
CT2
MC52
55,329
CT3
MC53
4
55,329
Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training)
ST1 / SpR1
MS01
3
43,923
ST2 / SpR2
MS02
ST3 / SpR3
MS03
4
5
55,329
63,152
ST4 / SpR4
MS04
ST5 / SpR5
MS05
ST6 / SpR6
MS06
ST7 / SpR7
MS07
ST8 / SpR8
MS08
Full details of total salaries for doctors in full-time training is available to download in the pay circular below including:
banding supplements
total salaries for trainees working less than 40 hours a week
less than full-time trainees pay arrangements.
The BMA has also produced pay tables which estimate pay for full-time doctors in training, based on your own working patterns, which you can find here.
Specialty Doctor pay scale:
Service level specialty doctor jobs are in high demand in England at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.
It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.
The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.
Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.
In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.
The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Pay Scale Code
Years' Experience
Basic Salary (£)
Period before eligibility for next pay point
MC75-01
0
59,175
3 years
MC75-02
1
59,175
2 years
MC75-03
2
59,175
1 year
MC75-04
3
68,174
2 years
MC75-05
4
68,174
1 year
MC75-06
5
68,174
1 year
MC75-07
6
75,998
3 years
MC75-08
7
75,998
2 years
MC75-09
8
75,998
1 year
Threshold
MC75-10
9
84,121
3 years
MC75-11
10
84,121
2 years
MC75-12
11
84,121
1 year
MC75-13
12
95,400
5 years
MC75-14
13
95,400
4 years
MC75-15
14
95,400
3 years
MC75-16
15
95,400
2 years
MC75-17
16
95,400
1 year
MC75-18
17
95,400
-
Specialist Grade:
The introduction of a new Specialist grade will provide an opportunity for progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. The introduction of the role will help to recruit, motivate and retain senior doctors and contribute to SAS grades being a positive and fulfilling career choice. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings.
Pay Scale Code
Years' Experience
Basic Salary (£)
Period before eligibility for next pay point
MC70–01
0
96,990
3 years
MC70-02
1
96,990
2 years
MC70-03
2
96,990
1 year
MC70-04
3
100,784
3 years
MC70-05
MC70-06
4
5
100,784
100,784
2 years
1 year
MC70-07
6
107,155
-
Consultant pay scale:
Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in England at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.
At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.
On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.
Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.
Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
Years completed as a consultant:
Threshold
Years complete as a consultant
Basic Salary (£)
Period of eligibility for next threshold
Pay scale code
1
0
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 00
2
1
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 01
3
2
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 02
4
3
111,714
1 year
YC72 Point 03
5
4
114,894
5 years
YC72 Point 04
5
114,894
4 years
YC72 Point 05
6
114,894
3 years
YC72 Point 06
7
114,894
2 years
YC72 Point 07
8
126,018
1 year
YC72 Point 08
6
9
126,018
5 years
YC72 Point 09
10
126,018
4 years
YC72 Point 10
11
126,018
3 years
YC72 Point 11
12
126,018
2 years
YC72 Point 12
13
126,018
1 year
YC72 Point 13
7
14
139,882
5 years
YC72 Point 14
15
139,882
4 years
YC72 Point 15
16
139,882
3 years
YC72 Point 16
17
139,882
2 years
YC72 Point 17
18
139,882
1 year
YC72 Point 18
8
19
139,882
-
YC72 Point 19
Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions
Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.
You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.
Getting started
NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.
Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.
For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay scales across the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.
Celebrating the Junior Doctor Pay Offer: A Positive Step for International Recruitment
At IMG Connect, we are pleased to share the news of the new pay offer for junior doctors in England. This development comes after nearly two years of negotiations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government. It marks a significant milestone in improving the appeal of the NHS for international doctors.
A Competitive Edge in Global Recruitment
If approved by BMA members, the proposed pay increase will average 22.3% over two years. This adjustment is crucial for restoring junior doctors' salaries and aligning them more closely with international standards. Historically, the pay disparity between the NHS and other countries, such as Australia, the United States, and Canada, has been a barrier to attracting top talent from abroad. The enhanced pay scales aim to make the NHS a more competitive choice for doctors worldwide.
Attracting Global Talent
The new pay agreement positions the NHS as a more attractive option for international doctors. By offering more competitive salaries, the NHS can appeal to doctors from countries with higher pay standards, thereby expanding the pool of qualified candidates interested in contributing to the UK healthcare system.
A Bright Future for the NHS
This agreement is not just a financial adjustment; it's a commitment to the healthcare professionals who are vital to the NHS. Fair compensation for junior doctors helps create a supportive environment where they can develop both professionally and personally. At IMG Connect, we believe this pay offer is a positive step toward a more sustainable and high-quality healthcare system.
As we continue to assist NHS trusts in attracting the best talent from around the world, this new pay offer strengthens our efforts and demonstrates a commitment to building a robust healthcare workforce. This agreement is a win for junior doctors, international recruits, and the future of the NHS.
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor's salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
What does an NHS specialty doctor take home as their monthly salary?
Overseas doctors frequently ask us what their monthly take-home pay would be when working as an NHS specialty doctor. So, to help IMGs plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use!
How much will I take home?
Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.
It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.
The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses.
Specialty Doctor Take-home Pay Expectations
Pay threshold
Annual gross salary*
Estimated annual take-home pay**
Estimated monthly take-home pay**
Min
£59,175
£44,879
£3,740
1
£68,174
£50,098
£4,175
2
£75,998
£54,636
£4,553
3
£84,121
£59,348
£4,946
4
£95,400
£65,889
£5,491
*before tax and pension
**based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions
Specialist Grade Take-home Pay Expectations
Pay threshold
Annual gross salary*
Estimated annual take-home pay**
Estimated monthly take-home pay**
Min
£96,990
£66,812
£5,568
1
£100,784
£68,855
£5,738
2
£107,155
£71,277
£5,940
*before tax and pension
**based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions
To explore the pay & salary conditions across all doctor grades in the UK take a closer look here.
As an overseas doctor looking to work in the UK, it is essential to understand the salary that comes along with your NHS job and how this can be different from one country in the UK to another.
Whilst the NHS has guides that are used to fairly and uniformly determine consultant pay, these do differ across the UK.
Basic Pay
Consultants in England and the other home countries each have their own consultant contracts in place. These are based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week, each having a time-tabled value of four hours.
The basic pay thresholds in England and their equivalents in the rest of the home countries are shown below:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
England
Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £105,504 and £139,882 in England.
Threshold
Years completed as a consultant
Basic Salary
1
0
£105,504
2a
After 3 years completed
£111,714
2b
After 4 years completed
£114,894
3
After 8 years completed
£126,018
4
After 14 years completed
£139,882
The most recent full pay circular for England can be found here.
The National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA) scheme aims to reward consultants who contribute most to the delivery of safe and high-quality care and the improvement of NHS services. You can apply for a new award after you have completed a full year in an eligible role.
Scotland
Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £107,144 and £142,369 in Scotland.
Threshold
Years completed as a consultant
Basic Salary
1
0 (starting salary)
£107,144
2
1
£109,407
3
2
£112,662
4
3
£115,921
5
4
£119,170
5
6
7
8
6
9
£126,905
10
11
12
13
7
14
£134,640
15
16
17
18
8
19
£142,369
The most recent full pay circular for Scotland can be found here.
All consultants who have reached point five of the pay scale are eligible for consideration for discretionary points, except for distinction award holders. Consultants granted discretionary points are not normally considered again for two years, although this may vary.
Wales
Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £106,000 and £154,760 in Wales.
There is a fixed pay point of £116,600 for locum consultants, which will apply regardless of years of consultant experience.
Threshold
Years completed as a consultant
Basic Salary
1
0 (starting salary)
£106,000
2
1
£111,300
3
2
£116,600
4
3
£121,900
5
4
£130,380
6
5
£137,800
7
6
£146,280
8
7
£154,760
The most recent full pay circular for Wales can be found here.
Please note that the pay scale above is for substantive or permanent doctors in Wales.
Commitment awards are available to all consultants after three years’ service at the top of the consultant pay scale, who demonstrate their commitment through satisfactory job plan reviews. They are then eligible at three-yearly intervals, until they have achieved eight award levels.
Northern Ireland
Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £88,799 and £119,723 in Northern Ireland.
Threshold
Years completed as a consultant
Basic Salary
1
1 (starting salary)
£88,799
2
2
£91,581
3
3
£94,362
4
4
£97,141
5
5
£99,913
6
7
8
9
6
10
£106,520
11
12
13
14
7
15
£113,124
8
16+
£119,723
The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.
When would I see an increase in my pay?
We are confirming when exactly SAS doctors would see the increase to their pay, but it has been agreed that the uplifts will be backdated to April 2024.
Job Planning and Programmed Activities
As part of your contract, your job plan will be created in partnership with your new NHS employer. This is an annual agreement that sets out your duties, responsibilities and objectives for the length of your contract.
There are four basic categories of contractual work which will be included in your job plan: direct clinical care (DCC), supporting professional activities (SPAs), additional responsibilities and external duties.
There are ways that consultants will be able to earn more than the basic rates above and these can include additional rotas and PAs. This will also be discussed in the creation of your job plan.
For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.
What does the NHS Consultant pay scale increase in England mean for you?
Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.
NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales.
Now, let's take a closer look at the updated consultant pay rates. The latest pay circular released by NHS Employers provides detailed information on the revised salary structure.
Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service-level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.
The pay elements of the new deal will be applied in the coming months and backdated to the 1st of March 2024.
Threshold
Years completed as a consultant
Basic Salary (£)
23/24 deal
Period of eligibility for next threshold
Pay scale code
1
0
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 00
2
1
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 01
3
2
105,504
1 year
YC72 Point 02
4
3
111,714
1 year
YC72 Point 03
5
4
114,894
5 years
YC72 Point 04
5
114,894
4 years
YC72 Point 05
6
114,894
3 years
YC72 Point 06
7
114,894
2 years
YC72 Point 07
8
126,018
1 year
YC72 Point 08
6
9
126,018
5 years
YC72 Point 09
10
126,018
4 years
YC72 Point 10
11
126,018
3 years
YC72 Point 11
12
126,018
2 years
YC72 Point 12
13
126,018
1 year
YC72 Point 13
7
14
139,882
5 years
YC72 Point 14
15
139,882
4 years
YC72 Point 15
16
139,882
3 years
YC72 Point 16
17
139,882
2 years
YC72 Point 17
18
139,882
1 year
YC72 Point 18
8
19
139,882
-
YC72 Point 19
These updated figures reflect an increase across various experience levels, underscoring the NHS's commitment to fair compensation for its dedicated workforce.
These changes are particularly encouraging for overseas doctors considering a career in the UK. The improved pay rates, coupled with the renowned quality of healthcare in the NHS, present an enticing opportunity for medical professionals seeking growth and fulfilment in their careers.
Download the latest NHS pay circular for detailed information
When would I see an increase in my pay?
We are confirming when exactly SAS doctors would see the increase to their pay, but it has been agreed that the uplifts will be backdated to April 2024.
Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions
Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.
You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.
For international doctors looking to work in the UK, it is important to understand the salary you will be offered with your NHS job and how this can be different depending on the country you are working in within the UK.
The NHS follow pay guidelines that are used to fairly and uniformly determine consultant pay, however, these do differ across countries in the UK.
What is an SAS doctor?
SAS stands for Staff grade, Associate Specialist, and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in their relevant specialty.
They are experienced and senior doctors in fixed term or permanent posts (outside a training pathway).
Many SAS doctors have made a positive choice to step into a SAS position from a traditional consultant training pathway. This could be for reasons such as geographical stability or wanting to familiarise themselves with the NHS system before working up to a consultant position.
SAS doctors maintain their skills through the CPD system and there are routes, through gaining CESR (Specialist Registration) or applying for a training post, for SAS doctors to become consultants if they wish to.
Basic Pay
Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in England and the other home countries have their own contracts in place for senior doctors. These contracts are based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week, each having a time-tabled value of four hours.
The basic pay thresholds in the UK are shown below:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
England
SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £59,175 and £95,400 as Specialty Doctors and from £96,990 to £107,155 as Specialist Grade doctors in England.
Specialty Doctor
Years of experience
Basic Salary
0 (min)
£59,175
1
2
3
£68,174
4
5
6
£75,998
7
8
9
£84,121
10
11
12
£95,400
13
14
15
16
17
Associate Specialist / Specialist Grade
Years of experience
Basic Salary
0 (min)
£96,990
1
2
3
£100,784
4
5
6
£107,155
The most recent full pay circular for England can be found here.
Scotland
SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £47,905 and £89,329 as Specialty Doctors and from £67,163 to £109,259 as Associate Specialists in Scotland.
Specialty Doctor
Scale point
Basic Salary
0
£61, 690
1
£61,690
2
£61,690
3
£73,593
4
£73,593
5
£73,593
6
£78,099
7
£78,099
8
£78,099
9
£87,115
10
£87,115
11
£87,115
12
£96,129
13
£96,129
14
£96,129
15
£96,129
16
£96,129
17
£96,129
Associate Specialist
Years of experience
Basic Salary
0
£96,990
1
£96,990
2
£96,990
3
£100,784
4
£100,784
5
£100,784
6
£100,784
The most recent full pay circular for Scotland can be found here.
Wales
SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £56,346 and £90,000 as Specialty Doctors and from £91,500 to £101,089 as Specialists in Wales.
Specialty Doctor
Pay Scale Point
Basic Salary
01
£59,727
02
£59,727
03
£59,727
04
£68,810
05
£68,810
06
£68,810
07
£76,708
08
£76,708
09
£76,708
10
£84,905
11
£84,905
12
£84,905
13
£95,400
14
£95,400
15
£95,400
16
£95,400
17
£95,400
18
£95,400
Specialist Grade
Pay Scale Point
Basic Salary
01
£96,990
02
£96,990
03
£96,990
04
£100,784
05
£100,784
06
£100,784
07
£100,784
The most recent full pay circular for Wales can be found here.
Northern Ireland
SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £52,530 and £82,400 as Specialty Doctors and from £83,945 to £95,275 as Associate Specialists in Northern Ireland.
Specialty Doctor
Years of experience
Basic Salary
Pay Point
0
£59,175
1
1
2
3
£68,174
2
4
5
6
£75,998
3
7
8
9
£84,121
4
10
11
12
£95,400
5 - top
13
14
15
16
17
Specialist Doctor
Years of experience
Basic Salary
Pay Point
1
£96,990
1
2
3
4
£100,784
2
5
6
7
£107,155
3 (top)
The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.
Job Planning and Programmed Activities
As part of your contract, your job plan will be created in partnership with your new NHS employer. This is an annual agreement that sets out your duties, responsibilities and objectives for the length of your contract.
There are four basic categories of contractual work which will be included in your job plan: direct clinical care (DCC), supporting professional activities (SPAs), additional responsibilities and external duties.
There are ways that consultants will be able to earn more than the basic rates above and these can include additional rotas and PAs. This will also be discussed in the creation of your job plan.
Navigating maternity pay can be a complex process, especially within the NHS. It's crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and the benefits you're entitled to under the NHS maternity pay scheme. Here's a comprehensive breakdown to help you navigate through this important aspect of maternity leave.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for NHS maternity pay, you need to meet the following criteria:
1. Continuous Employment: You must have completed 12 months of continuous employment with the NHS. This period doesn't necessarily have to be with the same employer but should have no breaks exceeding three months.
2. Timing: By the time you reach 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth, you should meet the continuous employment requirement and comply with the NHS notice requirements.
Understanding NHS Maternity Pay Structure:
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you become entitled to a structured maternity pay scheme. Here's how it works:
1. Full Pay (8 Weeks): You'll receive eight weeks of full pay, which is subject to deduction for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowances.
2. Half-Pay (18 Weeks): Following the full pay period, you'll receive 18 weeks of half-pay, in addition to SMP and Maternity Allowances.
3. SMP or Maternity Allowance (13 Weeks): The final phase of maternity pay involves 13 weeks of receiving either SMP or Maternity Allowance. Maternity Allowance is paid at a fixed rate, which was £156.66 per week (April 2022 – April 2023) or 90% of your average earnings if lower.
Notification Requirements:
It's essential to adhere to the notification requirements set by the NHS. You must notify your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date. However, as a good practice, most individuals tend to inform their employers sooner, especially considering visible signs of pregnancy by that stage.
Final Thoughts:
Understanding the intricacies of NHS maternity pay is vital for expecting parents working within the NHS. By meeting the eligibility criteria and adhering to the notification requirements, you can ensure a smooth transition into maternity leave while availing of the benefits provided under the NHS maternity pay scheme.
In conclusion, navigating maternity pay within the NHS involves understanding eligibility criteria, the structure of maternity pay, and notification requirements. By being informed, expectant parents can make the most out of the benefits provided by their employer, ensuring a seamless transition into parenthood.
Reference - https://www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Help/RCN-advice/having-a-family#:~:text=It%20is%20likely%20you%20are,13%20weeks%20SMP
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor's salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below: