NHS Consultant Salary

Figures TBC
2025/26 — Year 0 to Year 19+ Consultant pay scale
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2025/26 Consultant Pay Scale

YearAnnual Basic
Year 0TBC
Year 5TBC
Year 10TBC
Year 14TBC
Year 19+TBC

Full year-by-year table will be populated once verified figures are available.

2026/27 Pay (projected)

YearAnnual Basic
Year 0TBC
Year 19+TBC

2026/27 figures will reflect the confirmed Consultant pay award.

About Consultant pay

NHS Consultants in England are paid on a national contract with annual pay points from Year 0 (newly appointed) through to Year 19+ (top of scale). Progression is automatic each year, subject to satisfactory job-planning and appraisal.

The Consultant contract is separate from the 2016 hospital doctor contract that covers junior doctors. Consultants do not receive the 2016 contract's weekend allowance or 37% night enhancement; they instead may receive payments for on-call availability, additional Programmed Activities (APAs) above the standard 10 PAs/week, and Clinical Excellence Awards.

Most Consultants are members of the NHS Pension Scheme (2015 CARE section). Senior Consultants may need to consider Annual Allowance and Lifetime Allowance implications carefully — the calculator does not currently model these.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHS Consultant salary in 2025/26?
NHS Consultants are paid on a national contract with annual pay points from Year 0 to Year 19+. The exact figure depends on country (England, Scotland, Wales, NI) and any additional payments such as Programmed Activities, on-call or Clinical Excellence Awards.
Do Consultants receive supplements?
Consultants may receive on-call availability payments, additional Programmed Activities (APAs) above 10 PAs/week, and Clinical Excellence Awards (CEAs). The 2016 contract's weekend and night allowances do not apply to Consultants.
Are Consultant additional PAs pensionable?
Yes. Additional PAs and on-call availability are pensionable. National CEAs are pensionable; local CEAs are generally not.
When can I become a Consultant?
Most doctors enter Consultant grade after completing specialty training and obtaining their CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) — typically 5–8 years of ST training after F2.

Doctor pay by grade