NHS Consultant Pay Scale 2026/27 (England)
The basic salary for an NHS consultant in England is £113,565 to start and £150,569 from 14 years as a consultant, from 1 April 2026.
| Threshold | Years completed as a consultant | Basic salary | Take-home a year | A month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 2 | £113,565 | £73,712 | £6,143 |
| 2a | 3 | £120,249 | £76,252 | £6,354 |
| 2b | 4 to 7 | £123,672 | £77,553 | £6,463 |
| 3 | 8 to 13 | £135,645 | £83,678 | £6,973 |
| 4 | 14 and over | £150,569 | £91,588 | £7,632 |
Figures are basic pay only, before any supplements, on-call or weekend allowances and flexible pay premia, which many doctors also receive. They are also before NHS pension contributions, which come out of pay. Take-home pay is after income tax and National Insurance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Awards on top of basic pay
National Clinical Impact Awards are paid at three levels: £21,000 (level 1), £31,500 (level 2) and £42,000 (level 3). Closed local awards stay frozen. Consultants on the 2003 contract also earn for extra programmed activities.
Earning over £100,000? The 60% tax trap applies between £100,000 and £125,140, and a pension contribution can reduce its effect.
Source: NHS Employers: Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026 R2, Annex A. Basic pay from 1 April 2026, England.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an NHS consultant earn?
The basic salary for a consultant on the 2003 contract in England is £113,565 to start, rising to £150,569 after 14 years as a consultant, from 1 April 2026.
How does consultant pay progress?
Consultants move up through four thresholds as they complete years in the role. The scale shows how many years you need at each threshold.
What about extra pay?
Consultants may also receive National Clinical Impact Awards (£21,000, £31,500 or £42,000), and payments for additional programmed activities and on-call work. These are not included in the scale.
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.