Understanding the Junior Doctor's Payslip

It's really important to understand your payslip, so you can make sure you're being paid and taxed correctly. This guide breaks down each section of your NHS payslip to help you decode what can sometimes seem like a confusing document.

Your payslip contains crucial information about your salary, deductions, and year-to-date totals that you should review every month.

Personal Information Section

The top of your payslip contains your identifying information:

  • Assignment number: Your unique employee identifier within the NHS trust
  • Name: Your full name as registered with the trust
  • Location: The specific hospital or department
  • Department: Your current placement or rotation
  • Job title: Your current grade (e.g., "Foundation Doctor Year 1")
  • Payscale description: The pay band you're on

Check this section: Ensure all your details are correct, especially after rotations or changes in grade.

Salary Breakdown

Your gross pay is made up of several components. Understanding each helps you verify you're being paid correctly.

Resident Doctor Salary Rates (2024-25)

Grade Annual Basic Salary Monthly Basic
FY1 £38,831 £3,236
FY2 £44,439 £3,703
CT1-2/ST1-2 £52,656 £4,388
ST3-5 £65,048 £5,421
ST6-8 £73,992 £6,166

Pay Components

Standard Hours

Your basic salary covers a standard 40-hour working week. This forms the base of your pay calculation.

Additional Payments

  • Additional hours pay: Paid at basic hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week
  • Enhanced rate hours: 37% premium for unsocial hours (nights, late starts, early finishes)
  • Weekend duty allowance: Up to 15% of basic salary for frequent weekend work
  • London zone allowance: £2,162 annually for doctors working in London

Part-Time Adjustments

If you're working less than full-time, your salary will be pro-rated according to your slot percentage (e.g., 80% slot = 80% of basic salary).

Deductions Explained

Several deductions are taken from your gross pay before you receive your net pay:

Tax and National Insurance

  • PAYE (Pay As You Earn): Income tax calculated based on your tax code
  • National Insurance: Contribution to state benefits system (see our National Insurance guide)

NHS Pension

Your pension contribution rate depends on your total pensionable pay:

  • 5.0% to 14.5% based on income brackets
  • Pensionable pay: Includes basic salary plus most allowances
  • Tax relief: Contributions reduce your taxable income

Other Potential Deductions

  • Student loan repayments: If your income exceeds the threshold
  • Mess fees: For doctors' mess membership
  • Parking charges: Hospital parking fees
  • Union subscriptions: BMA or other professional body fees
  • Voluntary deductions: Cycle to work scheme, additional pension contributions

Key Payslip Sections

Hours and Rates

  • Hours worked: Total hours you actually worked
  • Hours paid: Hours you're being paid for (may include additional hours)
  • Hourly rates: Your basic rate and any enhanced rates

Pay Calculations

  • Gross pay: Total pay before any deductions
  • Pensionable pay: Amount used to calculate pension contributions
  • Taxable pay: Amount subject to income tax
  • Non-taxable pay: Benefits not subject to tax
  • Net pay: Your take-home pay after all deductions

Year-to-Date Information

Your payslip shows cumulative totals from the start of the tax year (April 6th):

  • YTD gross pay: Total earnings so far this tax year
  • YTD tax: Total income tax paid
  • YTD NI: Total National Insurance contributions
  • YTD pension: Total pension contributions

Common Payslip Issues

What to Check Each Month

  • Hours paid: Match against your actual worked hours
  • Grade and pay scale: Correct for your current position
  • Allowances: London weighting, weekend allowances as applicable
  • Tax code: Should reflect your personal allowance
  • Pension contributions: Correct percentage for your salary band

When to Raise Concerns

Contact payroll if you notice:

  • Significant unexplained changes in pay
  • Missing payments for additional hours worked
  • Incorrect tax codes
  • Missing allowances you're entitled to
  • Deductions you don't recognize

Important: Always keep your payslips as records. You'll need them for tax returns, mortgage applications, and pension calculations.

Understanding Your Tax Code

Your tax code determines how much tax-free income you receive:

  • 1257L: Standard code for 2024-25/2025-26 (£12,570 personal allowance)
  • BR: Basic rate tax on all income (emergency code)
  • K codes: When deductions exceed allowances
  • OT: Income over £100,000 (no personal allowance)

If your tax code looks wrong, contact HMRC directly to get it corrected.

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