Resident Doctor Salary 2026/27: How UK Average and Median Pay Compare

Resident Doctor Salary in 2026/27: Above the National Average but with Important Nuances

Understanding the resident doctor salary in the UK requires looking beyond the headline figures. Resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – are doctors in training, from foundation year 1 through to specialty registrars. Their pay is determined by national contracts and reviewed annually by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). In this article, we compare resident doctor pay to the UK average and median salaries, explain take-home pay, and highlight regional differences.

How Resident Doctor Pay Compares to UK Averages

The UK median full-time gross annual pay is around £39,039, and the mean is approximately £45,800. Even the lowest-paid resident doctor – a foundation year 1 (FY1) – earns a basic salary of £41,226 in 2026/27, which is above the median. As doctors progress, their basic pay rises quickly: an FY2 earns £47,610, a core trainee (ST1/CT1) earns £55,355, and a specialty registrar at ST3 level earns £67,325. Senior registrars at ST6 and above earn £76,582 to £77,348. These figures place resident doctors comfortably above the national average, especially in later training years.

However, these are basic salaries for a standard 40-hour week. Most resident doctors work additional hours, nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, which attract enhancements. According to Health Service Navigator, estimated total NHS earnings for an FY1 range from £48,500 to £52,000, while an ST6+ senior registrar can earn £91,000 to £98,000 or more. This means total compensation is often much higher than basic pay, but it also means take-home pay is affected by higher tax and pension deductions.

The 2026/27 Pay Scales

From 1 April 2026, resident doctors in England received a 3.5% increase to pay points, as confirmed by the NHS Employers circular. The nodal point system was restructured from five points to ten, aligned with stages of training. The new basic salaries are:

• Nodal point 1 (FY1): £41,226
• Nodal point 2 (FY2): £47,610
• Nodal point 3a/3b (ST1/CT1, ST2/CT2): £55,355
• Nodal point 4a (ST3/CT3): £67,325
• Nodal point 4b/4c (ST4, ST5): £67,998
• Nodal point 5a (ST6): £76,582
• Nodal point 5b/5c (ST7, ST8): £77,348

These figures apply to England under the 2016 contract. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use the older 2002 contract with different scales. For example, in Scotland an ST3 earns approximately £52,177 (2024 rates), though these are updated periodically.

Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Gross salary is not the same as take-home pay. Resident doctors contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme, with contribution rates ranging from 9.8% for those earning under £56,000 to 12.5% for those above. Pension contributions are deducted before Income Tax, reducing the tax bill, but they do not reduce National Insurance. Using the 2026/27 England rates, salarytax.uk calculated the following monthly take-home figures (no student loan):

• FY1 (£41,226): £2,498 per month (after pension £4,040, Income Tax £4,923, NI £2,292)
• FY2 (£47,610): £2,839 per month
• ST1/CT1 (£55,355): £3,245 per month
• ST3/CT3 (£67,325): £3,774 per month
• ST6 (£76,582): £4,103 per month
• ST8 (£77,348): £4,135 per month

These figures assume basic pay only. With enhancements, take-home will be higher, but so will tax and NI. It is also worth noting that the NHS Pension is a valuable benefit, but it reduces immediate disposable income.

Regional Differences: Scotland's Tax Bite

A crucial nuance for the resident doctor salary is the impact of devolved Income Tax in Scotland. Scotland has different tax bands: a 21% intermediate rate from £29,526, a 42% higher rate from £43,662, and a 45% advanced rate above £75,000. For the same gross basic pay, a doctor in Scotland pays more Income Tax than one in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. For example, an ST3 on £67,325 takes home £45,284 in England but only £43,531 in Scotland – a difference of £1,752 per year. This is because the top pound of taxable pay is taxed at 42% in Scotland versus 40% in England. Wales and Northern Ireland use the same rates as England.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Resident doctors have seen significant pay increases in recent years. GOV.UK reported that the 2025/26 pay award gave an average rise of 5.4%, including a 4% increase plus a £750 consolidated payment. This built on the previous year's deal, resulting in an average increase of 28.9% over three years. The average full-time basic pay for resident doctors in 2025/26 was approximately £54,300. The 2026/27 award of 3.5% continues the upward trend, though it is lower than the previous year. The restructuring of nodal points also aims to better recognise progression through training.

How to Use This Information

If you are considering a career as a resident doctor, or are already in training, it is helpful to understand both the basic salary and the likely total earnings. The figures above are for England; always check the specific contract for your nation. For a broader view of how different professions compare, see our salary articles and salary data. You can also explore the salary index for more benchmarks.

Remember that actual pay varies by region, employer, and individual rota. The NHS uses a take-home calculator for personalised estimates. The information here is based on official sources: GOV.UK, NHS Employers, the BMJ, and reputable pay analysis sites.

Summary

A resident doctor salary in 2026/27 starts above the UK median and rises well above the mean by senior training grades. Basic pay ranges from £41,226 for FY1 to £77,348 for ST8. With enhancements, total earnings can be significantly higher. However, take-home pay is reduced by pension contributions and Income Tax, and doctors in Scotland face a higher tax burden. Overall, resident doctors are well-compensated compared to the national average, but the demanding nature of the work and the long training pathway should also be considered.

For more context on UK pay, visit UK Average Salary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a resident doctor's salary compare to the UK national average?

Even at the start of training, a foundation year 1 resident doctor earns a basic salary of £41,226, which is above the UK median full-time gross annual pay of approximately £39,039. More senior resident doctors, such as ST6 registrars on £76,582, earn well above the national mean of £45,800. However, take-home pay is reduced by pension contributions (9.8%–12.5%) and Income Tax, so net monthly pay for an FY1 is around £2,498 in England.

Why is take-home pay lower for resident doctors in Scotland?

Scotland sets its own Income Tax bands. For the same gross basic pay, a doctor in Scotland pays more Income Tax because the intermediate rate (21%) applies above £29,526 and the higher rate (42%) above £43,662, compared to England's 20% basic and 40% higher rates. For example, an ST3 on £67,325 takes home £45,284 in England but only £43,531 in Scotland, a difference of £1,752 per year. National Insurance is the same across the UK.

What is the difference between basic salary and total earnings for a resident doctor?

Basic salary is the fixed annual pay for a standard 40-hour week. Total earnings are significantly higher because resident doctors regularly work additional hours, night shifts, weekends, and on-call duties, which attract enhancements (e.g., time-and-a-third, time-and-a-half, or double time). According to Health Service Navigator, estimated total NHS earnings for an FY1 range from £48,500 to £52,000, while an ST6+ senior registrar can earn £91,000 to £98,000 or more. These extras are taxable but not all are pensionable.