Resident Doctor Salaries Explained

Understanding resident doctor salaries is essential for managing your finances effectively. Your total compensation consists of basic salary plus various allowances and supplements that can significantly increase your earnings.

This guide explains how resident doctor pay is calculated, including basic pay scales, additional hours, and various allowances.

Latest Update: Following the 2024 pay deal ending 18 months of industrial action, resident doctor (formerly junior doctor) salaries increased significantly from April 2024, with further increases in 2025.

Resident Doctor Salary Scales (2024-25)

Following the 2024 pay settlement, resident doctor basic salaries have been significantly increased. These are the standard rates for a 40-hour week before any additional payments:

Grade Annual Salary Monthly (Gross) Training Level
FY1 £38,831 £3,236 Foundation Year 1
FY2 £44,439 £3,703 Foundation Year 2
CT1-2/ST1-2 £52,656 £4,388 Core/Specialty Training 1-2
ST3-5 £65,048 £5,421 Specialty Training 3-5
ST6-8 £73,992 £6,166 Specialty Training 6-8

Remember: These are basic rates only. Your actual salary will be higher due to additional payments for extra hours, unsocial hours, and weekend work.

Salary Components Explained

1. Additional Hours Pay

Paid at your basic hourly rate for any hours worked beyond the standard 40 hours per week.

2. Enhanced Rate Hours (37% Premium)

A 37% increase on your basic rate applies to "unsocial hours":

  • Night hours: Between 21:00-07:00
  • Late starts: Shifts starting 20:00-23:59
  • Early finishes: Shifts finishing at 10:00 or earlier (if 8+ hours long)

3. Weekend Allowance

Up to 15% of basic salary for frequent weekend work. No allowance applies if working less than 1 in 8 weekend shifts.

4. Other Supplements

  • London supplement: £2,162 annually
  • Non-resident on-call (NROC) allowance: For on-call duties
  • Flexible pay premia: For hard-to-fill specialties
  • Less-than-full-time (LTFT) allowance: £1,000 annually

Real-World Salary Example

FY1 Doctor Example

Working Pattern:

  • 48 hours per week average (8 additional hours)
  • Enhanced rate hours: 8 hours per week
  • Weekend working: 1 in 4 weekends

Salary Breakdown:

  • Basic pay: £28,243
  • Additional hours (5 hrs/week): £3,530
  • Enhanced rate hours (8 hrs/week): £2,090
  • Weekend allowance: £2,118
  • Total annual salary: £35,981
  • Monthly gross: £2,998

Important Notes

  • Maximum working hours: 48 hours per week average over a reference period
  • Pay increases: At least 2% annually through 2023
  • Variations by specialty: Actual earnings vary significantly based on rota patterns and specialty
  • Deductions: Remember to account for income tax, National Insurance, NHS pension, and student loan repayments

Review Needed: These figures may need updating to reflect current 2024/25 pay scales and any recent pay award settlements.

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