Are you considering a career in medicine in the UK, but wondering about the financial rewards of becoming a doctor? Look no further than this comprehensive guide to doctor salaries in the UK. As a doctor, you will be at the forefront of patient care, working long hours and dealing with complex medical issues. But with great responsibility comes great compensation.
First things first, let’s talk numbers. According to the latest report of Forbes, the median annual full-time gross pay of a specialist medical practitioner in UK is £66,031. (Source: ONS AHSE 2023. Full-time median annual gross salaries, April 2023). However, this figure can vary widely depending on your specialty and experience level. For example, a general practitioner (GP) can expect to earn an average salary of £81,000, while a consultant can earn upwards of £150,000.
But beyond the numbers, other factors make a career in medicine financially rewarding. For one, job security is high for doctors, with a growing demand for medical professionals in the UK. Additionally, many doctors have the opportunity to work overtime or take on extra shifts, which can boost their earnings even further.
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Steps to Become a Doctor in the UK
Becoming a doctor in the UK is a challenging but rewarding path that requires significant dedication and hard work. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine, here are the general steps you’ll need to take to become a doctor in the UK:
Get your qualifications
You’ll need to have certain qualifications to Study in the UK at a medical university, including good grades in A-levels or equivalent qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate. You’ll typically need A-levels in Biology and Chemistry, and in some cases, a third science or maths subject.
Choose a medical school
Once you have your qualifications, you’ll need to choose a medical school to apply to. The UK has over 30 medical schools, each with its own requirements and application process. You’ll need to research which schools are best suited for you and meet their specific entry requirements.
Take the entrance exam
Most medical schools in the UK require applicants to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). These exams assess your aptitude for a career in medicine and your ability to handle the academic demands of medical school.
Complete your medical degree
Once you’ve been accepted into medical school, you’ll need to complete your medical degree, which typically takes five or six years depending on the program. You’ll cover a range of subjects including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical skills.
Foundation training
After completing your medical degree, you’ll need to complete two years of foundation training. This will provide you with supervised practical experience in a hospital setting, and prepare you for a career as a doctor.
Specialize
Once you’ve completed your foundation training, you’ll have the option to specialize in a particular area of medicine. This involves further training and exams and can take several years to complete.
Registration
Once you’ve completed all of your training, you’ll need to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) to practice medicine in the UK. You’ll also need to obtain a license to practice, which involves demonstrating your competence and meeting the GMC’s standards.
The average salary of MBBS doctor in the UK
A doctor’s salary in the UK ranges from £61,300, which is the lowest salary, to £282,000, which is the highest salary. The average salary of a doctor in the UK is around £76,300 a year. This average annual salary includes transportation, housing, and other payments. A doctor’s salary in the UK also depends on the specialty and role in the UK career.
An experienced doctor in the UK can earn up to £121,300 a year. Doctors with around 20 years of experience or more can earn up to £143,200. MBBS doctor salary in the UK per month can range from £2,560 (lowest salary) to £9,750 (highest).
The salaries listed in the article are base salaries, which may vary depending on the number of additional hours doctors work or additional responsibilities they take on. A pay calendar is a method of calculating overtime pay. If the doctor has worked more than the prescribed 40 hours per week, he is entitled to receive a supplement or additional payment according to the salary scale in addition to the basic income.
Doctor salary in the UK as per specialization
A doctor’s salary in the UK also depends on their specialty, which includes general practitioners (GPs), trainee doctors, consultants, and specialist doctors.
The difference in the salary of a doctor in the UK depending on the specialty is as follows:
- Advanced Nutrition Aide – Average 104,000 GBP per year
- Advanced Practice Provider – Average 101,000 GBP per year
- Allergist – Average 130,000 GBP per year
- Chiropractor – Average 88,000 GBP per year
- Clinical Psychologist – Average 222,000 GBP per year
- Correctional Treatment Specialist – Average 129,000 GBP per year
- Counselling Psychologist – Average 177,000 GBP per year
- Dermatologist – Average 223,000 GBP per year
- Dietitian – Average 134,000 GBP per year
- Emergency Department Physician – Average 154,000 GBP per year
- Exercise Physiologist – Average 167,000 GBP per year
- Forensic Pathologist – Average 198,000 GBP per year
- General Medical Practitioner – Average 138,000 GBP per year
- Interventionist – Average 222,000 GBP per year
- Invasive Cardiologist – Average 276,000 GBP per year
- Mental Health Therapist – Average 131,000 GBP per year
- Naturopathic Physician – Average 222,000 GBP per year
- Neurologist – Average 214,000 GBP per year
- Neurophysiology Technologist – Average 61,800 GBP per year
- Obstetrician / Gynecologist – Average 190,000 GBP per year
- Occupational Health Safety Specialist – Average 102,000 GBP per year
- Ophthalmologist – Average 156,000 GBP per year
- Optometrist – Average 153,000 GBP per year
- Paediatrician – Average 175,000 GBP per year
- Physical Therapist – Average 118,000 GBP per year
- Physician – Anesthesiology – Average 242,000 GBP per year
- Psychiatrist – Average 183,000 GBP per year
- Psychologist – Average 193,000 GBP per year
- Registered Respiratory Therapist – Average 115,000 GBP per year
- Skin Care Specialist – Average 109,000 GBP per year
- Urologist – Average 255,000 GBP per year
- Vision Rehabilitation Therapist – Average 120,000 GBP per year
Do you know?
Most overseas doctors start their medical career in the UK as trusted doctors for a period before they take up a teaching post. It is also called a service post. Service posts include Consultant, SAS Doctor, or Trust Doctor posts which are equivalent to ST1/2, FY2, and ST3+.
Comparison of doctor salary in the UK vs Globally
A Medscape survey has revealed that UK doctors are the third highest-paid in the world. The world’s highest-paid doctors are in the US, earning around £231,000 a year, according to this survey, while German doctors come in second with £133,000, followed by UK doctors with an average salary of £101,000 sterling. Mexico has the lowest-paid doctors.
According to Glassdoor, the average UK doctor’s salary is £53,947 a year. In comparison, doctors in France earn an average of €55,894 per year, while doctors in Germany earn €64,858 per year. Doctors in the US also earn $149,412 a year. Therefore, a career as a doctor in the UK is quite lucrative, although not as much as in the US or Germany.
Here is a table comparing the average doctor salaries in the UK to several other countries around the world:
| Country | Average Annual Doctor Salary |
| UK | £79,000 |
| United States | $231,000 |
| Canada | CAD 324,000 |
| Australia | AUD 149,000 |
| Germany | €133,000 |
| France | €67,000 |
| Japan | ¥22,000,000 |
| China | CNY 493,000 |
| India | INR 1,150,000 |
Epilogue
A career in medicine can be financially lucrative in the UK, with high average salaries, job security, and opportunities for overtime and additional shifts. If you have a passion for helping others and a drive to succeed, becoming a doctor could be the perfect career path for you.
Doctors in the UK are well-paid and have several career paths in both the NHS (National Health Service) and other healthcare settings. However, the path to becoming a doctor requires years of training and licensure along with training. You have to be ready to devote 10-12 years to it.
Nevertheless, do you need some handholding to get you through this? How about a discussion with our expert career counsellors to study abroad with decades of experience concerning education in this field?
Talk to our study abroad experts who have 20+ years of experience to know yourself in and out! We have helped several brilliant but confused minds intending to select their most-suited career choices. Hear the success story of Aayush who got an offer from the top 3 universities and is now studying at a University in Ottawa in Canada after getting career guidance from our industry experts!
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- Know About UK PR Process & Requirements
- Know About MBA Universities in UK
- Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the UK
- List of UK Scholarships for Indian Students
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FAQs
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, the average annual salary for a doctor in the UK is £79,000.
The average doctor’s salary in the UK is among the highest in Europe and compares favorably to salaries in other developed countries such as Canada, Australia, and Germany. However, doctor salaries in the US are significantly higher on average, while salaries in some developing countries such as India & China are much lower.
Doctor salaries in the UK can vary widely depending on the doctor’s specialty and experience level. For example, a general practitioner (GP) can expect to earn an average salary of £81,000, while a consultant can earn upwards of £150,000. Junior doctors in their first year of training can expect to earn around £28,000.
While becoming a doctor in the UK requires a significant investment of time and money, the financial rewards can be significant. Doctor salaries in the UK are among the highest in Europe, and job security is high for medical professionals.
Anushree Rastogi is a Senior Content Writer at iDreamCareer, bringing over 5 years of expertise to the field of career counseling. She has done a PGDM in Marketing and Finance and possesses a unique blend of skills that allows her to craft engaging and informative content. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate their career paths and has dedicated her career to providing valuable insights through her content. Her commitment to excellence and keen understanding of the career landscape make her a trusted guide for those seeking professional direction. With a flair for clear and engaging writing, Anushree is on a mission to empower others to make informed and fulfilling career choices.
