NHS Consultant Salary
2026/27 Consultant Pay Scale (England — 2003 Contract)
| Threshold | Annual Basic | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold 1 (entry) | £113,565 | £9,463.75 |
| Threshold 2a (after 3 yrs) | £120,249 | £10,020.75 |
| Threshold 2b (after 4 yrs) | £123,672 | £10,306.00 |
| Threshold 3 (after 8 yrs) | £135,645 | £11,303.75 |
| Threshold 4 (after 14 yrs) | £150,569 | £12,547.42 |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own Consultant scales — full ranges below.
Consultant Pay by UK Nation (2026/27)
Each nation runs its own consultant contract with different thresholds and figures. Wales reaches the highest top-of-scale in the UK:
| Nation | Entry | Top of Scale |
|---|---|---|
| England (2003 contract) | £113,565 | £150,569 |
| Wales (2003 Wales contract) | £114,099 | £166,585 |
| Scotland | £111,430 | £148,064 |
| Northern Ireland | £110,681 | £145,517 |
Wales's top consultant point (£166,585) is the highest basic consultant salary in the UK — around £16,000 above England's top threshold, though it takes longer to reach. Select your nation in the calculator for the exact scale and take-home.
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.