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:
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
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).
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.
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 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.
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 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.
There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
|||
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:
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.
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 | |
MC75-17 |
16 |
95,400 |
1 year |
MC75-18 |
17 |
95,400 |
- |
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 | |
MC70-05 MC70-06 |
4 5 |
100,784 100,784 |
2 years 1 year |
MC70-07 |
6 | 107,155 | - |
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
Consultant Psychiatrist – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
South Wales
A dynamic and transformational CAMHS service in South Wales is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong interest in child and adolescent mental health. The successful candidate will join a well-established multidisciplinary team delivering specialist care across the region, contributing to service development and clinical leadership within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. Doctors with MRCPsych, CESR interest, or a European Specialist qualification are encouraged to apply.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a progressive mental health service with access to regional tier 4 services and a population of approximately 380,000. The post supports the organisation’s strategic vision to integrate CAMHS more closely into community settings while developing clinical pathways in areas including eating disorders, complex care, youth justice, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
We welcome applications for full-time, part-time, or flexible working arrangements and will support CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) development on an individual basis.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS
Salary: £109,725 – £145,478 dependent on Consultant experience.
Full GMC registration with a licence to practise is essential.
Eligibility for inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months of CCT.
Section 12 approval (or eligibility within 6–12 months).
Experience delivering psychiatric care in CAMHS or related services is required.
A collaborative, developmental, and family-focused approach, with excellent communication and leadership skills, is highly valued.
Opportunities for career development through CPD, peer supervision, quality improvement, and service leadership.
CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE
Provide consultant-level psychiatric care to children and adolescents as part of a multidisciplinary CAMHS team.
Lead clinical care planning, review, and treatment delivery in partnership with colleagues across mental health, health, education, and social care.
Work closely with specialist regional services including adolescent inpatient units, eating disorder outreach services, and forensic CAMHS consultation teams.
Participate in the CAMHS consultant on-call rota (with prospective cover).
Contribute to service improvement, pathway development, and integrated working in line with strategic planning goals.
Provide supervision and clinical leadership to junior medical staff and allied professionals.
Participate in annual appraisal, job planning, and revalidation, with access to local peer groups and CPD.
Uphold principles of clinical governance, information governance, and risk management across the CAMHS Directorate.
LIFE IN SOUTH WALES
South Wales offers a rare combination of coastal beauty, green open spaces, and urban convenience. With beautiful landscapes, affordable living, and excellent local amenities, it is an ideal location for professionals and families alike. The region is well-connected by public transport and road networks and offers easy access to nearby cities and airports.
Healthcare professionals in the area benefit from a supportive and inclusive working environment and access to a wide network of services across health, education, and social care.
If you are passionate about delivering outstanding CAMHS care and want to help shape future services in a supportive, innovative setting, we welcome your application. Please note that we may close this post early if sufficient applications are received.
HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect, you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
CV preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists.
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice.
At least two video interview preparation sessions.
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more.
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll be supported by one of our dedicated relocation executives, who will guide you through the process, including:
Document gathering and checking.
COS and Visa Application support, if applicable.
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation.
Travel arrangements and family support for finding schools and other aspects of pastoral care.
Consultant Psychiatrist – Acute Inpatient Service
South of England | Close to London
An inclusive and progressive NHS mental health trust in the South of England is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong interest in acute inpatient care. The successful candidate will join a compassionate and collaborative multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality psychiatric care to adults and clinical leadership across inpatient services. Doctors with MRCPsych, CESR interest, or a European Specialist qualification are encouraged to apply.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading NHS Foundation Trust known for integrated working, a strong culture of kindness and respect, and its commitment to clinical excellence and innovation.
Applications are welcome for full-time, part-time, or flexible working patterns. CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) support is available and tailored to individual needs.
Full GMC registration with a licence to practise is essential.
Eligibility for inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months of CCT.
Section 12 approval (or eligibility within 6–12 months).
Clinical experience in managing acute adult mental illness in inpatient settings is required.
Strong teamworking, communication, and leadership skills are essential.
Ongoing opportunities for professional development through training, leadership pathways, teaching, and academic engagement.
Provide Consultant-level psychiatric care to adult inpatients, in line with the Trust’s Acute Operational Policy.
Deliver clinical leadership and active involvement in quality improvement initiatives.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to a recovery-focused, trauma-informed approach to care.
Coordinate with specialist and community teams to ensure effective patient transitions and continuity of care.
Supervise and support junior doctors, specialty trainees, and students.
Participate in Consultant on-call rota (details available on request).
Engage in audit, teaching, research, and service development activities.
Located in the South of England, this opportunity offers the perfect balance of professional fulfilment and quality of life. The area combines vibrant urban centres, picturesque countryside, and excellent transport links — with London just 30 minutes away by train, and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports nearby for easy international travel.
This region is known for its historic market towns, outstanding schools, and a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. Whether you\'re relocating alone or with family, it offers something for everyone — from city convenience to coastal calm.
The Trust is committed to inclusivity, wellbeing, and the development of its workforce, offering access to flexible working and a wide range of staff benefits.
When applying with IMG Connect, you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
CV preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists.
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice.
At least two video interview preparation sessions.
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more.
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll be supported by one of our dedicated relocation executives, who will guide you through the process, including:
Document gathering and checking.
COS and Visa Application support, if applicable.
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation.
Travel arrangements and family support for finding schools and other aspects of pastoral care.
An NHS district general hospital in the West Midlands is looking for a Specialist Grade Haematologist with an interest in haemato-oncology, laboratory haematology and blood transfusion. The Haematology department comprises a team of 3 consultants and is supported by a large team of middle grade doctors. This Haematology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist or FRCPath (or equivalent) are most encouraged to apply.
Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case by case basis.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS
FRCPath (or equivalent) and broad experience in clinical and laboratory haematology are required for this role, and anyone with an interest in clinical trials, haemato-oncology, education, or blood transfusion should apply. The salary will be between £96,990 to £107,155 dependent on experience or grade.
CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE
Provide clinical support in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working closely with consultants and the multidisciplinary team.
Participate in the delivery of chemotherapy and specialist care via the dedicated oncology/haematology unit.
Contribute to clinical governance, teaching of junior doctors and nurse practitioners, and development of service pathways.
Assist with laboratory haematology duties including blood film reporting, and advise on transfusion and diagnostic services.
LIFE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
This hospital is located in a picturesque region of the West Midlands, with access to both rural retreats and small city living. Residents enjoy a mix of traditional market towns and vibrant city centres, with good schools, easy rail access to Birmingham, and plenty of green spaces for outdoor activities. The area has deep historical roots, from medieval cathedrals to Roman forts, offering a unique combination of heritage and modern living.
HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:
Document gathering and checking COS and Visa Application support if applicable
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
Travel Arrangements Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
An NHS hospital in South East England is looking for a Consultant in Clinical Oncology with an interest in Upper and Lower GI cancers. The Oncology department comprises a team of four Clinical Oncologists and a Consultant Radiographer, supported by a large team of middle-grade doctors. This Clinical Oncology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist Registration, GMC Specialist Register, CCT, or CESR are most encouraged to apply.
Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.
GMC registration with a license to practice, CESR, or a GMC-recognised qualification such as FRCR is required for this role. Anyone with an interest in Upper and Lower GI cancer should apply. The salary will be between £105,504 – £139,882 dependent on experience.
Provide expert oncology care for patients diagnosed with Upper and Lower GI cancers, overseeing treatment plans and managing patient care.
Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings across sites to coordinate treatment.
Contribute to research and clinical trials within the Oncology department, promoting innovation in GI cancer treatment.
Engage in teaching opportunities with medical students and junior doctors, especially in preparation for the launch of a new postgraduate medical programme.
This hospital is located in the South East of England, a region known for its mix of lively coastal cities and peaceful countryside towns. It offers great transport links to London, top-performing schools, and diverse leisure options, including historic landmarks, nature trails, and vibrant cultural scenes. The area is rich in maritime and military history, making it a unique and engaging place to live and work.
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting your new role including:
Document gathering and checking
COS and Visa Application support if applicable
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
Travel arrangements
Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
An NHS cancer centre in Northern Ireland is seeking a Consultant Clinical Oncologist with a specialist interest in Upper GI and Breast cancers. The department includes 11 oncology consultants and is supported by a team of middle grade doctors and specialty trainees. This position is open to both UK-based and international doctors, particularly those with FRCR or European Specialist Registration.
Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants should have full GMC registration and at least 6 years of postgraduate experience in Clinical Oncology. The salary for this role is between £88,799 and £119,723, dependent on experience.
Manage patients with Upper GI and Breast cancers across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Engage in tumour site-specific MDTs and contribute to treatment planning and decision-making.
Support the training and mentoring of oncology registrars and junior doctors.
Contribute to service development, teaching, and clinical governance.
Based in the north-west region of Northern Ireland, this location offers both city and rural living, with access to scenic countryside, the coast, and neighbouring towns. The area features well-rated schools, convenient transport infrastructure, and rich opportunities for cultural, historical, and recreational pursuits. It’s a growing destination for healthcare professionals seeking balance between professional development and quality of life.
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:
Document gathering and checking
COS and Visa Application support if applicable
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
Travel Arrangements
Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care