NHS pay bands and what IMGs actually earn
NHS medical pay in England is set nationally. Non-training doctors sit on a specialty-doctor or trust-grade scale; training doctors follow the 2016 junior doctor contract. Basic pay is enhanced by nodal points, night and weekend supplements, and on-call availability. Expect £45,000–£65,000 total earnings in a first NHS SHO-equivalent post, higher at registrar level.
Who this applies to
- IMGs budgeting for the move to the UK.
- IMGs comparing offers between trusts or specialties.
Key requirements
| Trainee pay | 2016 junior doctor contract — nodal points 1–5 |
|---|---|
| Non-trainee pay | Specialty doctor / trust-grade national scales |
| Enhancements | Night, weekend, on-call availability supplements |
| First-post range | ~£45k–£65k total for SHO-equivalent |
Steps
1. Check the current pay circular
NHS Employers publishes the up-to-date scales — do not rely on forum estimates.
2. Ask for the rota code
Rota code drives the enhancement — the same nodal point can pay very differently between trusts.
3. Model take-home pay
Deduct tax, NI, student loan (if any) and pension contributions.
Common failure points
- Comparing basic pay only, ignoring rota supplements.
- Assuming London weighting applies to every English post.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.