How Much Do Doctors Make UK?

Discover how much doctors earn in the UK, the training route, specialisations, tax, salary bands, and the top NHS and private healthcare employers.

How Much Do Doctors Make in the UK? Full Salary, Training & Career Breakdown

Doctors are at the heart of the UK’s healthcare system, diagnosing and treating illness, performing life-saving procedures, and supporting the health of millions. While the profession is one of the most respected and rewarding, it also comes with years of training, long hours, and immense responsibility.

Here’s a comprehensive look at how much doctors earn in the UK, how to become one, salary ranges, tax implications, and the best employers in the sector.

Job Description: What Do Doctors Do?

Doctors assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients across a variety of settings including hospitals, GP surgeries, and specialist clinics. They work in multidisciplinary teams and specialise in fields such as general practice, surgery, psychiatry, or paediatrics.

Responsibilities include:

  • Diagnosing conditions and creating treatment plans

  • Prescribing medications and ordering tests

  • Performing surgeries or minor procedures (if applicable)

  • Monitoring long-term health conditions

  • Communicating with patients, families, and colleagues

  • Referring patients to specialists or further care

  • Participating in audits, training, and research

Doctors can work for the NHS, private sector, or a mix of both.

How Hard Is It to Become a Doctor?

Extremely. It’s one of the longest and most academically demanding career paths in the UK. You’ll need top grades, a competitive university application, and a commitment to 10+ years of structured training. But for those passionate about medicine, it offers deep personal and professional fulfilment.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

  • Strong academic ability, especially in science

  • Empathy and compassion—a patient-first mindset

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

  • Resilience and emotional maturity

  • Good under pressure, especially in emergency settings

  • Teamwork and leadership

  • Attention to detail and critical thinking

Do You Need to Study? (Yes—Extensively)

Standard route to becoming a doctor in the UK:

  1. Medical school – 5 years (or 6 with a foundation year)

  2. Foundation Training – 2 years (FY1 and FY2)

  3. Specialty Training – 3 to 8 years depending on the field

  4. GP Training – 3 years

  5. Surgery or other hospital specialties – 6 to 8+ years

So you’re looking at 10 to 15 years to become a consultant or senior specialist.

What Are the Different Levels and Specialisations?

Core career levels:

  • Medical Student

  • Foundation Doctor (FY1–FY2)

  • Core Training / GP Specialty Training (CT1–CT2/3)

  • Specialty Registrar (ST3–ST8)

  • GP or Consultant

  • Clinical Lead / Director

Specialisations:

  • General Practice (GP)

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Surgery (orthopaedic, general, plastic, etc.)

  • Cardiology

  • Dermatology

  • Psychiatry

  • Paediatrics

  • Oncology

  • Anaesthetics

  • Radiology

What Experience Do You Need?

  • Work experience in healthcare settings is essential before applying to medical school

  • Clinical placements during medical school

  • Foundation programme rotations in different departments

  • Practical training, exams (e.g. MRCP, MRCGP, MRCS) during specialty training

  • Participation in research, audits, or leadership roles can boost career progression

Benefits of Being a Doctor

  • Job security and demand in both NHS and private sectors

  • Strong earning potential, especially with private practice

  • Variety of roles and environments

  • Opportunity for career growth, teaching, research or leadership

  • Deep professional fulfilment

  • Global recognition—UK qualifications are respected abroad

  • Pension and annual leave benefits (especially in the NHS)

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Lengthy and expensive training

  • Emotionally and physically demanding

  • Long shifts and on-calls, including weekends and holidays

  • Constant exams and CPD (continuing professional development)

  • Burnout risk, particularly in underfunded settings

  • Legal and ethical pressure—mistakes carry high stakes

Doctor Salary UK

  • Foundation Year 1 (FY1): £32,398

  • Foundation Year 2 (FY2): £37,303

  • Core/Specialty Training: £43,923 – £63,152

  • GP (NHS salaried): £65,070 – £98,194

  • Consultant (NHS): £88,364 – £119,133

  • Private Consultant (mixed): £120,000 – £250,000+

Tax Example:

A consultant doctor earning £100,000 (PAYE) would pay:

  • Income Tax: approx. £23,432

  • National Insurance: approx. £5,732

  • Take-home pay: approx. £70,800/year or £1,361/week

Private work is usually self-employed, meaning income varies, but tax can be offset through allowable expenses.

What Factors Affect Salary?

  • Specialism – Surgery and radiology often pay more

  • NHS vs Private – Private work increases earning potential

  • Seniority and years of experience

  • Geography – London weighting and rural shortages impact pay

  • Out-of-hours / on-call shifts

  • Consultancy or locum work – Higher pay, less stability

  • Academic or leadership roles – May add income through research or admin

What’s the Future for Doctors in the UK?

Healthcare demand is rising due to:

  • Ageing population

  • More chronic conditions

  • Workforce shortages

  • Digital health and telemedicine expansion

Doctors with tech-savvy skills, digital diagnostics expertise, or dual training (e.g. medical leadership or public health) will be in high demand. However, ongoing NHS budget pressures and industrial action reflect the need for system-level change.

Best Companies and Employers for Doctors in the UK

NHS Trusts:

  • Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust

  • Oxford University Hospitals

  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

  • Addenbrooke’s (Cambridge University Hospitals)

  • Barts Health NHS Trust

Private Sector:

  • Spire Healthcare

  • Nuffield Health

  • BMI Healthcare (Circle Health Group)

  • HCA Healthcare UK

  • BUPA Clinics

  • Telehealth firms like Livi, Babylon, Push Doctor

Many doctors also do consulting, academic work, or private clinics alongside their NHS contracts.

Final Thought

Becoming a doctor in the UK is a major commitment of time, money, and energy—but it’s also one of the most respected and meaningful careers available. While the path is tough, the job offers real purpose, strong earnings, and endless ways to grow.