Are you an international doctor planning to work as a consultant in the NHS? One of the most important things to understand before relocating to the UK is what your NHS consultant salary will look like after tax — your actual monthly take-home pay.
To support your planning, we’ve created a clear breakdown of take-home pay examples for consultant doctors working in NHS England in 2025. Whether you're just starting your journey or finalising your move, this guide will help you understand your net income, manage expectations, and prepare for life and work in the UK.
How Much Will I Take Home?
In the UK, your take-home pay is the amount deposited into your bank account after all mandatory deductions are subtracted from your annual salary. These deductions typically include Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, and NHS pension payments.
It's important to understand that our calculations are intended as a general guide. We've based our estimates on the gross salary at each pay threshold, assuming no additional income streams. Your actual take-home pay may differ due to various factors, such as additional responsibilities, extra hours worked, supplementary income, your final tax bracket, pension decisions, and any tax-deductible expenses you may claim.
By offering these insights, we aim to help you better navigate your financial planning as you embark on a rewarding career in the NHS and build a new life in the UK.
Take-Home Pay Expectations in England
This is the new 23/24 salary and take-home pay structure following the agreed recent deal.
The pay elements of the new agreement will be applied in the coming months and backdated to 1 March 2024.
Threshold
Annual gross salary*
Estimated annual take-home pay**
Estimated monthly take-home pay**
1
£105,504
£70,649
£5,887
2
£111,714
£73,009
£6,084
3
£114,894
£74,217
£6,185
4
£126,018
£78,576
£6,548
5
£139,882
£85,924
£7,160
*Before tax and pension
**Based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions
For a comprehensive overview of pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK, explore our blogs series on NHS career structure and pay. Visit our IMG Resources library to find detailed information tailored to international doctors.
NHS Pay Scales for Psychologists: A Complete Guide for Overseas Psychologists
As an overseas psychologist, considering a move to the UK can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also bring questions about pay and working conditions in the NHS. This guide will explain the NHS pay banding system for psychologists, clarify where you might fit in as an international professional, and offer details about additional factors like London Weighting. With accurate, up-to-date information sourced from NHS Employers and the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), this blog will make everything clear.
Pay and Benefits for Psychologists in the NHS
Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system applies to all staff except doctors, dentists, and the most senior managers. For psychologists, it provides a structured progression, offering clear opportunities for career development.
While training, clinical psychologists are paid at Band 6, and after completing their training, they move to Band 7, with potential to progress to higher bandings throughout their career. Psychologists can work full-time or part-time within the NHS, but terms and conditions may vary for employers outside the NHS. This structure ensures that as you gain experience and take on additional responsibilities, your salary will reflect this growth.
NHS Pay Bands: How Does the System Work?
The NHS uses a banding system known as Agenda for Change, which sets out pay scales based on experience, qualifications, and job responsibilities. This system is divided into nine bands. For psychologists, the relevant bands typically range from Band 6 to Band 9, with Band 6 being the starting point for newly qualified professionals and Band 9 reserved for the most senior roles.
Each band has several pay points or increments, meaning that within each band, your salary can increase annually until you reach the top of that band’s pay scale. The current pay scales for 2024/25, as provided by NHS Employers, are as follows:
Relevant Pay Bands for Psychologists:
Band 6: Starting band for newly qualified psychologists or those in training. Salaries range from £35,392 to £42,618 per year.
Band 7: Typically for qualified psychologists starting their career in the NHS. Salaries range from £43,742 to £50,056.
Band 8a: For psychologists with additional experience or those in more specialised roles. Salaries range from £51,706 to £58,210.
Band 8b to 8d: These bands are for senior and managerial roles, with salaries ranging from £59,856 to £90,387 depending on the exact band.
Band 9: The highest band, reserved for senior leadership roles such as heads of psychology services. Salaries range from £96,376 to £108,077.
The banding system offers a transparent pathway for career progression and salary increases, rewarding experience, additional qualifications, and greater responsibilities.
Where Do Overseas Psychologists Fit Into the NHS Bands?
If you’re an overseas psychologist looking to join the NHS, your placement within the banding system will depend on several factors:
Your Experience: The more years you’ve worked as a qualified psychologist, the higher the band you may be eligible for. Psychologists with extensive experience in areas such as clinical, counselling, or forensic psychology may start at Band 7, or higher.
Qualifications: Your qualifications must be recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which regulates psychologists in the UK. Once your qualifications are approved, you’ll be able to register and work in the NHS. Your placement will depend on how your experience compares to UK-trained psychologists.
The Role You Apply For: Each job description within the NHS indicates the appropriate band for the role.
London Weighting for Psychologists in the NHS
If you’re planning to work in or around London, it’s important to understand London Weighting. This is an additional pay supplement that NHS staff receive to help with the higher cost of living in the capital. The supplement is added to your base salary, and the exact amount depends on whether you work in Inner London, Outer London, or the Fringe areas surrounding London.
Breakdown of London Weighting:
Inner London: An extra 20% of your basic salary, up to a maximum of approximately £7,000 per year.
Outer London: An additional 15% of your basic salary, capped at £4,500 per year.
Fringe Areas: A smaller supplement of around 5%, with a maximum of £1,200 per year.
Additional Benefits of Working in the NHS
In addition to the competitive pay bands, psychologists working in the NHS enjoy a range of other benefits:
Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 27 days per year (rising to 33 days after 10 years of service), plus public holidays.
Pension Scheme: The NHS offers one of the most generous pension schemes available, helping you plan for retirement.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD): The NHS supports ongoing professional development, offering opportunities to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
Work-Life Balance: The NHS is known for promoting a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working options available in many roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the starting salary for a newly qualified psychologist in the NHS? A newly qualified psychologist typically starts in Band 6, with salaries ranging from £35,392 to £42,618 per year.
2. How do I move up the bands in the NHS? Movement between bands depends on experience, additional qualifications, and taking on more responsibilities. As you gain experience and contribute to specialised areas of psychology, you may progress to higher bands, such as Band 8a or above.
3. What is the HCPC, and why is it important? The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulatory body for psychologists in the UK. Overseas psychologists must register with the HCPC to work in the NHS. The HCPC assesses your qualifications and experience to ensure they meet UK standards.
4. How does London Weighting affect my pay as a psychologist? London Weighting is a pay supplement offered to NHS staff working in London to help offset the higher cost of living.
Conclusion
The NHS offers a structured and competitive pay system for psychologists, making it an attractive destination for overseas professionals. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, understanding the NHS Agenda for Change pay bands is crucial to knowing where you fit and what you can expect in terms of salary.
For overseas psychologists, securing the right band depends on your experience, qualifications, and the specific role you're applying for. Additionally, if you’re considering a move to London, London Weighting ensures that you’re financially supported in one of the UK’s most expensive cities.
We specialise in helping international psychologists transition into the NHS and relocate to the UK smoothly. For more personalised advice or assistance with your HCPC registration, or finding a job in the NHS, feel free to reach out—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you're an international doctor considering a career in Ireland, it's essential to understand the HSE doctor pay scales. For overseas doctors, the pay structure within Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE) can appear complex at first, but knowing how it works is key to planning your move.
Doctors working for the HSE in Ireland benefit from competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. So, for international medical graduates, understanding the various pay scales, from junior doctors to consultants, is crucial in making informed career decisions.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different HSE pay grades and explain how they relate to doctor salaries in Ireland, so you can better understand your earning potential as a doctor within the Irish healthcare system.
What We’ll Cover:
Junior Doctor Pay (Interns and SHOs)
Registrar Salary
Consultant Pay
How Pay Scales Work in the HSE
Additional Pay, Benefits, and Overtime
Comparing HSE Ireland to the NHS in the UK
Skip to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for!
Junior Doctor Pay in Ireland
Junior doctors, often called interns or Senior House Officers (SHOs), start their careers with a salary ranging from €43,766 to €70,543, depending on experience and additional responsibilities.
Foundation Year (Intern): Starting salary of around €43,766
Senior House Officer (SHO): €51,578 to €70,543
As a junior doctor, you are also compensated for any additional hours worked, including weekend shifts, on-call duties, and night shifts. These enhancements ensure that junior doctors are fairly compensated for the demanding nature of their work.
Registrar Pay in the HSE
Registrars, who are often mid-career doctors undergoing specialty training, can expect to earn between €65,554 and €77,197 annually. Registrars play a critical role in the hospital setting, often supervising junior doctors and making more autonomous medical decisions.
Basic salary for registrars: starts at €65,554 to €77,197
With overtime, on-call, and weekend shifts, registrars can earn significantly more.
Consultant Pay in Ireland
Consultants are the most senior doctors in the HSE, and their salaries reflect their high level of responsibility and expertise. A consultant’s salary can range from €222,215 to €266,925.
Starting salary: Around €222,215. to €266,925
Consultants with additional responsibilities, such as management roles or educational duties, can earn significantly more.
Consultants may also receive additional pay for on-call duties and overtime work. Furthermore, some consultants may supplement their income by working in private practice, further boosting their overall earnings.
How Do HSE Pay Scales Work?
Several factors influence how you are placed on the HSE pay scale:
Job Title: Your role, whether you're a junior doctor, registrar, senior registrar, or consultant, determines your starting point on the scale.
Experience: More years of experience result in higher pay, regardless of whether this experience was gained in Ireland or abroad.
Specialty: Some medical specialties, such as cardiology or oncology, may offer higher salaries due to their demand and complexity.
Location: Pay rates can vary slightly depending on whether you work in a city hospital or a more rural setting.
Additional Pay, Benefits, and Overtime
Doctors in the HSE are entitled to a range of benefits, including:
Overtime pay for working beyond regular hours.
On-call allowances for being available outside of your standard working hours.
Weekend and night shift allowances to compensate for unsociable working hours.
Continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities.
Access to a pension scheme, offering long-term financial security.
How HSE Pay Compares to the NHS in the UK
Many international doctors consider working in both the NHS (UK) and HSE Ireland. While both offer competitive pay, HSE doctor salaries tend to be higher at all levels compared to the NHS.
For example, an FY1 doctor in the NHS earns around £32,398, while an equivalent intern in Ireland starts at approximately €43,766. Pay scales for consultants and more senior roles are also higher when comparing the two systems, however both offer opportunities for additional pay based on experience and extra responsibilities.
Where Do You Fit on the HSE Pay Scale?
When considering where you fit on the HSE pay scale, there are key factors to keep in mind:
Job Title: Your job title, such as junior doctor, registrar, or consultant, dictates your pay bracket.
Experience: Years of experience in your specialty will determine your progression through the pay scale.
Hours Worked: The more on-call hours, night shifts, and weekend work you do, the more you can expect to earn beyond your base salary.
Understanding the HSE doctor pay scales will help you make informed decisions about your career in Ireland. If you need further assistance or have any questions about pay negotiation, our IMG connect consultants are here to guide you through the process and ensure you receive the best possible offer.
Understanding your NHS job's salary 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 in Wales and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales.
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 Wales
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
Specialty Doctor pay scale
Associate Specialist 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 Wales
FY1 & FY2
In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1), your basic salary is £33,307, increasing to £41,073.
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 £43,821 and can progress to £57,650.
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 £56,346 to £90,000 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. Associate Specialists can earn a basic of between £69,054 to £113,667.
Consultant
Consultants currently earn from £100,000 to £146,000 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 Wales
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.
Scale
Foundation house officer 1
Foundation house officer 2
Specialty registrar (full)
Specialty registrar core training and fixed term
Min
33,307
41,073
43,821
43,821
1
35,324
43,694
46,438
46,438
2
37,343
46,312
50,099
50,099
3
52,314
52,314
4
54,979
54,979
5
57,650
57,650
6
60,319
7
62,989
8
65,657
9
68,330
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.
Specialty Doctor
Pay Scale Code
Scale Value
Basic Salary
MC75-01
1
£59,727
MC75-02
£59,727
MC75-03
£59,727
MC75-04
2
£68,810
MC75-05
£68,810
MC75-06
£68,810
MC75-07
3
£76,708
MC75-08
£76,708
MC75-09
£76,708
MC75-10
4
£84,905
MC75-11
£84,905
MC75-12
£84,905
MC75-13
5
£95,400
MC75-14
£95,400
MC75-15
£95,400
MC75-16
£95,400
MC75-17
£95,400
MC75-18
£95,400
Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist
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 Wales 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.
Specialist Grade
Pay Scale Code
Scale Value
Basic Salary
MC70–01
1
£96,990
MC70-02
£96,990
MC70-03
£96,990
MC70-04
2
£100,784
MC70-05
MC70-06
£100,784
£100,784
MC70-07
3
£107,155
Consultant Pay Scale
Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Wales 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.
For NHS locum consultants, pay is assigned a fixed pay point at £115,600, though locum consultants can earn more due with additional hours or sessions often available. The threshold pay scale below applies to substantive (permanent) contracts only, so therefore if you are not on the specialist register you will only be eligible for this fixed pay point, irrespective of your years completed consultant experience.
For both permanent (substantive) and fixed-term (locum) consultant grades, 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/
Threshold
Basic
Salary (£)
Years within pay point/
Threshold
Min
106,000
1
1
111,300
1
2
116,600
1
3
121,900
1
4
130,380
5
5
137,800
7
6
146,280
7
7
154,760
Top
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.
If you're an international doctor considering a career with the NHS in Northern Ireland, understanding the NHS salary structure is essential. Overseas doctors often find the NHS pay scales complex, but knowing how they work is key to planning your move to the UK.
Doctors working within HSC (Health and Social Care) Northern Ireland are compensated with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. However, for international medical graduates, navigating the various NHS pay bands can be daunting.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different NHS grades and explain how they relate to pay scales in Northern Ireland, so you can better understand your earning potential as a doctor in the NHS.
In this article we will take a look at the following topics:
Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Northern Ireland
FY1 & FY2
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
Specialty Doctor
Associate Specialist
Consultants
Where do I fit on the pay scale?
Doctors in training pay scale
Specialty Doctor Pay Scale
Specialist Grade Pay Scale
Consultant Pay Pcale
Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
Trust doctor jobs and IMGs' pay
It’s important to understand that most overseas doctors begin their UK careers in a fixed-term Trust doctor role (also known as a service post) before moving into a training position. Doctors at all levels can enter a service post, which means they are not in formal training or pursuing specialty training.
Most of our job adverts for fixed-term or permanent roles are for service positions, typically for SAS doctors, consultants, SHO, or Trust doctor roles equivalent to FY2, ST1/2, or ST3+. These posts can be particularly attractive due to the potential for higher, negotiable salaries, based on experience and demand, making them an appealing option for international doctors.
The 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 Northern Ireland
FY1 & FY2
At Foundation Year 1 (FY1), your starting basic salary is £29,566, which increases to £36,371 in your second year (FY2).
As a doctor in training, you will receive a basic salary based on a 40-hour workweek, along with additional pay for extra hours worked. This includes a 37% pay enhancement for night shifts, a weekend allowance for weekend work, an on-call allowance, and other potential pay premiums depending on your specific duties and schedule. These enhancements ensure you're fairly compensated for the demands of your role.
Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
If you are a doctor starting your specialist training, your basic salary starts at £38,780 and can progress to £50,903.
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 £52,530 to £82,400 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 or Associate Specialist, which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Associate Specialists doctors can earn a basic of between £83,945 to £95,275.
Consultant
Consultants currently earn from £88,799 to £119,723 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
Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating Your NHS Job Offer
When applying for NHS jobs as an international doctor, it's essential to fully understand how factors like your job title, experience, hours worked, and the specific NHS Trust can impact your salary. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
1. Job Title
Your job title is a key factor in determining your pay scale.
At the Consultant level, your role and pay are straightforward—you will be a consultant.
However, at the Specialty Doctor level, your title could vary between SAS Doctor, Specialty Doctor, or Trust Grade Doctor.
As an ST (Specialty Trainee) or SHO (Senior House Officer), you could work across several levels.
Each of these titles commands a different pay scale, depending on the level of responsibility and experience required. It's crucial to carefully check the job title you're applying for and ensure you understand the corresponding pay scale.
2. Experience in Your Specialty
Your years of experience in your chosen specialty directly affect your position on the pay scale.
For example, when calculating pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine, an NHS Trust may deduct two years of experience to account for Core Training in the UK. However, this deduction may not apply in all specialties, so it’s important to verify with an IMG Consultant for specific details related to your field.
3. Hours You Will Work
Your working hours are another critical factor. Both SAS Doctors and Consultants typically work based on Programmed Activities (PAs).
Each PA represents 4 hours of work, with a standard week consisting of 10 PAs (40 hours).
Your basic salary will be calculated based on this 40-hour week, but if you work more than 10 PAs, you will receive additional pay on top of your base salary.
This system ensures that you are compensated fairly for any extra hours worked.
4. NHS Trust Variations
Lastly, be aware that some NHS Trusts may interpret pay scales and experience differently. While all NHS Trusts are expected to follow the same pay scale structures when recruiting doctors, there can be variations in how they assess your experience and apply salary scales.
Make sure to ask questions during the interview process and clarify how your pay is calculated to avoid any surprises.
When evaluating your NHS job offer, taking the time to understand the nuances of your job title, experience, working hours, and the specific NHS Trust is essential. These factors will ultimately determine your position on the pay scale and the salary you can expect.
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 Northern Ireland
Doctors in Training: Understanding Service Level Jobs and Pay Scales
Service level jobs within the NHS are in high demand across all levels of experience, offering competitive rates of pay for international doctors. Once you're in the UK, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for training roles, depending on your entry level.
The pay scale for doctors in training varies based on entry points, including FY1 (Foundation Year 1), ST1/CT1 (Specialty Training/Core Training Year 1), and ST3/4. These roles come with a standard working week of 10 Programmed Activities (PAs), equating to 40 hours. However, if you work additional hours, on-call shifts, or weekends, your take-home pay will increase accordingly.
Use the following pay scale as a guide for service level posts. Keep in mind, by consulting with an IMG Consultant, you may find opportunities to negotiate higher pay based on your experience and the demand for your specialty. It’s very possible to earn more than the standard pay scales listed below.
Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions as you navigate your NHS career and maximise your earnings.
Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars
Scale
Foundation Doctor 1
M220
Foundation Doctor 2
M230
Specialty Registrar (fixed term)
M240
Specialty Registrar (core training)
MN39
Specialty Registrar (full)
MN37
Min
£29,566
£36,371
£38,780
£38,780
£38,780
1
£31,334
£38,666
£41,078
£41,078
£41,078
2
£33,099
£40,964
£44,283
£44,283
£44,283
3
£46,224
£46,224
£46,224
4
£48,563
£48,563
£48,563
5
£50,903
£50,903
£50,903
6
£53,243
7
£55,582
8
£57,921
9
£60,261
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.
Specialty Doctor
Years' Experience
Basic Salary
Pay Point
0
£52,530
1
1
2
3
£60,519
2
4
5
6
£67,465
3
7
8
9
£74,675
4
10
11
12
£82,400
5 - top
13
14
15
16
17
Specialist Grade
Years' Experience
Basic Salary
Pay Point
1
£83,945
1
2
3
4
£89,610
2
5
6
7
£95,275
3 (top)
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.
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
16
17
18
19
8
20+
£119,723
The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.
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.
Sources
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-hsc-tc8-03-2022.PDF
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.
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.