Specialty Training ST3–ST5 Salary

£65,048
2026/27 — Nodal Point 4 of the 2016 hospital doctor contract, England
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2026/27 Specialty Training Pay (England — 2016 Contract)

Pay PointAnnualMonthly
ST1–2 / IMT / Core Training (NP3)£52,656£4,388.00
ST3–5 (NP4) — entry to higher training£65,048£5,420.67
ST6–8 (NP5) — senior registrar£73,992£6,166.00

Specialty Training Year 3 (ST3) is the entry point to higher specialty training. After completing F1, F2, and Core / Internal Medicine Training (IMT) or equivalent, doctors compete for ST3 places in their chosen specialty (medicine, surgery, GP, psychiatry, etc.).

ST3 doctors in England sit on Nodal Point 4 (£65,048) of the 2016 hospital doctor contract pay scale. Nodal Point 4 covers ST3, ST4 and ST5 — basic pay is the same across these three years, but earnings increase via on-call frequency, weekend working and additional hours as registrars take on more clinical responsibility.

Above basic, ST3+ doctors typically receive: weekend allowance (3.75%–15% of basic depending on frequency), 37% night enhancement on hours worked 9pm–7am, on-call availability allowance (3% non-resident / 8% resident), and pay for additional hours above the standard 40-hour week. Weekend and availability are pensionable; night and additional hours are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ST3 salary in the UK?
In England under the 2016 contract, ST3 (Specialty Training Year 3) basic salary is £65,048 at Nodal Point 4. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different pay structures with broadly comparable rates.
Is ST3 pay the same as ST4 and ST5?
Yes — basic pay is identical at £65,048 across ST3, ST4 and ST5 (all at Nodal Point 4). Total earnings typically rise across these years as registrars work more on-call and out-of-hours rotas.
When does pay increase after ST5?
At ST6 you move to Nodal Point 5 (£73,992), an uplift of around 14% on Nodal Point 4. Most specialties run ST6–ST8 at NP5 before CCT and consultant appointment.
How are weekend supplements calculated for ST3?
Weekend allowance is a percentage of basic pay based on your weekend frequency: 1-in-2 weekends gives 15%, 1-in-3 gives 10%, 1-in-4 gives 7.5%, and so on. The allowance is pensionable.
What is the on-call availability allowance?
A pensionable percentage of basic pay for being on an on-call rota outside of contracted hours. Resident on-call (sleeping in hospital) pays 8% of basic; non-resident on-call pays 3%.

Doctor pay by grade

F1 F2 ST3–5 ST6–8 SAS Consultant Salaried GP

Topics

Junior Doctor Take-Home On-Call Allowance 2026/27 Pay Scales