Understanding the NHS salary scales and how they are calculated
When you start working in the NHS as a doctor, one of the first things you’ll want to understand is how much you can expect to earn each month. The good news is that NHS salaries are competitive, with senior doctors in particular earning well above the UK national average. If you’re moving to the UK as a doctor, knowing the pay structure in advance can help you plan your career and finances with confidence.
Understanding NHS Pay Scales
The NHS uses structured pay scales to decide how much its staff are paid. These scales set out your basic salary and explain how much more you could receive for extra hours or duties. For doctors, this might include banding supplements, enhancements, or other uplifts.
How Do They Work?
- Your job title and level of responsibility
- How many years of medical experience you have
- Whether you’re in training or a permanent consultant role
As you progress in your career – through training milestones, additional qualifications, or time spent in post – you move up the scale. This means your salary increases in line with your skills and experience, offering a clear path for financial growth as your career develops.e pay scale throughout your career, earning more depending on your job title/experience. Often, moving up involves successful progression through specialist training and time spent in the role.
Which Pay Scale Will You Get?
The pay scale you fall under depends on your job offer. So when receiving a job offer, always look at the pay scale – learn what it is and how much you’ll earn. Remember that every pay scale works slightly differently, particularly when moving up and earning more. Sometimes, you will need to supply certifications to prove your experience, so you don’t have to start at the bottom of a pay scale.
The Pay Scales for Doctors
It’s important to understand which pay scale applies to you. As a doctor, you will fall under one of the following categories. From 1 April 2025, basic pay for medical and dental consultants has been increased by 4%. The updated national salaries, allowances, and fees are outlined below.
Consultant Pay Scale
A consultant represents the most senior role in NHS hospitals. When appointed, consultants typically start at the entry point of the pay scale (YC72-01 or YC73-01) and move up as they gain experience over time. To begin at a higher point on the scale, you must provide evidence of equivalent experience from previous roles.
| Grade Code | Years of Experience | Basic Salary |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 00 | 0 | £109,725 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 01 | 1 | £109,725 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 02 | 2 | £109,725 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 03 | 3 | £116,182 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 04 | 4 | £119,490 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 05 | 5 | £119,490 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 06 | 6 | £119,490 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 07 | 7 | £119,490 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 08 | 8 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 09 | 9 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 10 | 10 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 11 | 11 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 12 | 12 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 13 | 13 | £131,058 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 14 | 14 | £145,478 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 15 | 15 | £145,478 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 16 | 16 | £145,478 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 17 | 17 | £145,478 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 18 | 18 | £145,478 |
| YC72 / YC73 Point 19 | 19 | £145,478 |
For additional PAs (any over ten), you will get an uplift of 10%.
Specialist Doctor Pay Scale
The Specialist Doctor Pay Scale (MC70 scale) was new for specialist doctors in 2021 and was implemented because it was a better option for recruiting very senior doctors.
To get on this pay scale, you must meet the criteria by providing evidence that your experience is equal to that of an NHS specialist doctor. Then, you’ll start with the appropriate years of experience on the pay scale.
*Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 2/2025
| Grade Code | Years Of Experience | Basic Salary |
| MC70-01 | 0 | £100,870 |
| MC70-02 | 1 | £100,870 |
| MC70-03 | 2 | £100,870 |
| MC70-04 | 3 | £104,816 |
| MC70-05 | 4 | £104,816 |
| MC70-06 | 5 | £104,816 |
| MC70-07 | 6 | £111,441 |
2021 NHS Speciality Doctor Pay Scale
This pay scale applies to doctors who have completed their foundation training and early years of core or specialty training, typically equivalent to ST3 and above.
The 2021 NHS Specialty Doctor Pay Scale (MC75 scale) consists of multiple increments based on years of experience. Most doctors start at the lower end of the scale and progress gradually, unless they can provide evidence of equivalent experience from their home healthcare system.
From 1 April 2025, salary scales for specialty and specialist doctors on the 2021 contracts, as well as staff grade, specialty, and associate specialist roles on pre-2021 contracts, have been increased by 4% to basic pay.
For example:
- A doctor with 1 year of experience at ST3+ level would earn £61,542.
- A doctor with 18 years of experience would earn £99,216.
Reference: Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 2/2025
| Grade Code | Years Of Experience | Basic Salary |
| MC75-01 | 0 | £61,542 |
| MC75-02 | 1 | £61,542 |
| MC75-03 | 2 | £61,542 |
| MC75-04 | 3 | £70,901 |
| MC75-05 | 4 | £70,901 |
| MC75-06 | 5 | £70,901 |
| MC75-07 | 6 | £79,038 |
| MC75-08 | 7 | £79,038 |
| MC75-09 | 8 | £79,038 |
| Threshold | Threshold | Threshold |
| MC75-10 | 9 | £87,486 |
| MC75-11 | 10 | £87,486 |
| MC75-12 | 11 | £87,486 |
| MC75-13 | 12 | £99,216 |
| MC75-14 | 13 | £99,216 |
| MC75-15 | 14 | £99,216 |
| MC75-16 | 15 | £99,216 |
| MC75-17 | 16 | £99,216 |
| MC75-18 | 17 | £99,216 |
Other allowances are made up of PAs (programmed activities), which are four-hour blocks of work. You get ten PAs for your basic salary, making a 40-hour work week. Any other PAs on top of that comes with an uplift of 10%
Additional Allowances
- High-Cost Area Supplements: Additional pay for roles based in London or other high-cost areas.
- On-Call and Overtime: Extra compensation for out-of-hours work.
- Additional Payments: For roles requiring specific skills or responsibilities
