Most medical professionals research the Doctor salary in the UK, due to the financial gain, before moving to the country.
However, doctor salaries in the UK vary according to speciality and experience; in addition, even the UK location will play a factor in earning potential.
In this regard, we will examine the average salaries of doctors in the UK, including salaries by speciality, experience, and region.
In the UK, a Doctors annual salary is around £60,573 on average.
Doctors can earn an additional £11,400 a year from bonuses and profit-sharing. That added income can really help to increase their earning potential.
In the UK, doctors typically have a well-compensated and rewarding salary when, taking into account not only their base pay but their additional income as well.
Doctor Salary In The Uk: Breakdown
Speciality
Doctors’ salaries can vary significantly based on their chosen medical specialities or areas of expertise. For instance, specialities where advanced skills and training are necessary, like surgery or anesthesiology, also tend to have higher salaries. In comparison, general practitioners and family doctors are paid less.
Here are the average annual salaries for different medical roles, which highlight how choosing specialization can also affect your medical salary.
1. Resident Doctors (Foundation Training):
Resident doctors (also called foundation year doctors) usually receive a basic salary of between £36,616 and £42,008 per year from 1 April 2024.
2. Specialty Doctors:
After foundation training, you will be in speciality training (or working as a speciality doctor), with a basic salary between £59,175 and £95,400. Once a doctor has trained and is at the specialist grade, their salary rises to between £96,990 – £107,155.
3. Consultants:
Within the NHS structure, consultants are the highest-earning doctors. As of 1st March 2024 the basic salary for consultants will be set between £105,504 and £139,882 per annum.
This range varies based on years of service and new responsibilities taken by the consultant.
In addition, consultants can also apply for Clinical Excellence Awards which are a form of financial reward awarded based on performance and contributions above and beyond the normal job description.
4. General Practitioners (GPs):
General practitioners have 2 options:
- Contractors or salaried GPs: Self-employed GPs run their own businesses and earn money through the way they decide to operate their services.
- Salaried GPs: Work for a practice or primary care organisation, with salaries ranging from £73,113 to £110,330 as of 1 April 2024.
Regional Salary Variations
Doctors also received geographical data for the UK when it comes to salaries. For instance:
- London: Doctors are paid more than elsewhere. This is partly because of the high cost of living in the capital. For instance, a GP in London earns around £75k to £90k annually.
- Scotland: Salaries of medical professionals in Scotland would be slightly lower than in London, but the cost of living is also cheaper. For instance, a surgeon in Scotland could make around £95,000 annually.
- Wales: Similar to Scotland, Wales pays its doctors less but offers a reasonable quality of life. In Wales, a Pediatrician may receive an annual salary of £70,000.
- Northern Ireland: As a Doctor in Northern Ireland, you will earn more than the national average, but your pay will vary considerably An Anesthesiologist here makes approximately £95,000 per year.
- North of England: Salaries are competitive for doctors in places like Manchester or Leeds In the North of England, a Psychiatrist would make £80,000.00 per year.
These examples demonstrate the major impact geography can have on a Doctor’s salary within the UK. This variability can be a deciding factor in choosing where to practice medicine.
Doctor Salary In The Uk: Rights To Work In The UK
Although there are several steps and specific requirements that you must meet to work as a doctor in the UK.
1. Acceptable Primary Medical Qualification
You need an acceptable primary medical qualification. The GMC should accept this qualification. Therefore, if you are unsure whether your qualifications are accepted, it is important to get confirmation from GMC.
2. General Medical Council (GMC) registration
All doctors who wish to practice medicine within the UK must become registered with the GMC.
The different types of registration are:
-
Provisional Registration
This is for newly qualified Doctors, who have completed their medical degree but have not yet completed their foundation year. It enables them to practice in an approved post for Foundation Year 1.
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Full Registration
Allows Doctors to practice medicine in any field after completing the Foundation Year 1.
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Specialist Registration
This is needed to work in consultant posts and requires post-exams training.
3. Practise licence
Not only do you have to be registered, but you also need a practice licence from the GMC. This licence allows you to take part in activities that are normally only able to be done by a licensed doctor, such as prescribing medication and signing death certificates.
4. Proficiency in English
The international medical graduates (IMGS) need to show proficiency in English. This requirement ensures communication between the health care system, patients and peers is efficient for overall safety.
The most common approach to ensuring English proficiency is to take the (OET) Occupational English Test.
On this note, preparing for the OET exam for English professionals is not something you should attempt on your own (self-study).
We recommend that you use a professional OET premium preparation provider like Swoosh English. This way, you will ensure that you are using legitimate preparation material and getting expert support and feedback from expert OET teachers to ensure exam success.
P.S. 76% of self-study students have mutliple attempts on the OET exam, some up to 6 times! At $455 per exam sitting this approach can be very costly!
5. Right to Work in the UK
GMC registration does not mean you can work in the UK . It is dependent on your nationality and immigration status; you may require a visa.
Neither British or Irish nationals are obliged to be granted a visa, but others may need to fulfil certain ATP immigration requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration.
6. Foundation Programme
All UK medical graduates must first complete a two-year Foundation Programme, which involves practical training across several specialities, after gaining full GMC registration.
7. Completion of Foundation Programme
After completing a Foundation Programme, doctors can enter speciality training programs, usually between five and eight years in length depending on the specialty.
8. Continuous Professional Development
Upon registration, with the intent of starting to practice, doctors are required by the GMC guidelines to ensure that they pursue continuous professional development (CPD) in their medical careers to keep their skills and knowledge current.
Doctor Salary In The Uk: Conclusion
The Doctor salary in the UK is dependent on the medical specialty and geographical location.
Base salaries are well paid; however, additional income from bonuses and profit-sharing can lead to big paydays.
These differences are important to understand for all students looking at a future in medicine and may help guide them in the right direction towards their careers.
If you are preparing for the OET, it is crucial to use a premium provider like Swoosh English, to access extensive preparation courses designed to help you get the scores needed to succeed and pass the English proficiency test.
A big factor in your success can be investing some time upfront in preparing properly.
