NHS doctor salary and pay scales for IMGs
Basic annual pay for NHS doctors in England from 1 April 2026: FY1 £41,226, FY2 £47,610, CT1–CT2 / ST1–ST2 £55,355, rising to £77,348 at ST7/ST8. Specialty doctors on the 2021 contract earn £63,696–£102,689 and specialists £104,401–£115,341. These are basic pay only — your actual pay depends on your contract, rota and hours.
This page has not yet been through a formal review. Always confirm figures against the linked official source. How we keep content current.
Figures checked against the BMA and NHS Employers pages on 16 October 2026 (our own source check, not an independent review).
Resident doctors — basic annual pay, England, 2026/27
| Grade | Basic annual pay |
|---|---|
| Foundation Year 1 (FY1) | £41,226 |
| Foundation Year 2 (FY2) | £47,610 |
| CT1 / ST1 and CT2 / ST2 | £55,355 |
| CT3 / ST3 | £67,325 |
| CT4 / ST4 and ST5 | £67,998 |
| ST6 | £76,582 |
| ST7 / ST8 | £77,348 |
Under circular 1/2026R2 resident doctor pay has ten nodal points; grades sharing a figure are on the same point.
SAS doctors — basic annual pay, England, 2026/27
| Grade | Basic annual pay |
|---|---|
| Specialty doctor (2021 contract) | £63,696–£102,689 |
| Specialist (2021 contract) | £104,401–£115,341 |
What changes your actual pay
- Contract: many first NHS jobs for IMGs are locally employed posts (for example trust-grade or clinical fellow roles). These don't necessarily use the resident doctor training contract — check which pay scale your offer uses.
- Rota and hours: extra hours, nights, weekends and on-call are paid on top of basic pay and vary widely between jobs.
- Location: London weighting applies to some posts. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own pay scales.
- Tax and pension: Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pension contributions depend on your pay and circumstances, so take-home pay differs from person to person.
What to check on any NHS job offer
- The contract and pay scale the post uses, and your point on it.
- The rota pattern, average weekly hours and on-call commitments.
- Whether London weighting applies.
- Whether the post is training or non-training — this affects pay progression and your career route.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.
Basic annual pay by grade, 2026/27. Checked 16 October 2026.
Specialty doctor and specialist ranges, 2026/27. Checked 16 October 2026.
Circular 1/2026R2, effective 1 April 2026; ten nodal points for resident doctors. Checked 16 October 2026.
Tax depends on your own circumstances and UK nation.
Contribution rates depend on your pensionable pay.
This guide is a factual summary, not financial or career advice. Every figure should be confirmed against the linked official source before you rely on it.