Home NHS career NHS pay bands and what IMGs actually earn NHS pay bands and what IMGs actually earn NHS medical pay in England is set nationally. Non-training doctors sit on a specialty-doctor or trust-grade scale; training doctors follow the 2016 junior doctor contract. Basic pay is enhanced by nodal points, night and weekend supplements, and on-call availability.

Expect £45,000–£65,000 total earnings in a first NHS SHO-equivalent post, higher at registrar level. Who this applies to IMGs budgeting for the move to the UK.

IMGs comparing offers between trusts or specialties.

Key requirements Trainee pay 2016 junior doctor contract — nodal points 1–5 Non-trainee pay Specialty doctor / trust-grade national scales Enhancements Night, weekend, on-call availability supplements First-post range ~£45k–£65k total for SHO-equivalent Steps 1.



Check the current pay circular NHS Employers publishes the up-to-date scales — do not rely on forum estimates.

- Ask for the rota code Rota code drives the enhancement — the same nodal point can pay very differently between trusts.
- Model take-home pay Deduct tax, NI, student loan (if any) and pension contributions. Common failure points Comparing basic pay only, ignoring rota supplements.

Assuming London weighting applies to every English post. Official sources Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it. NHS Employers — pay for doctors NHS EmployersOfficial BMA — pay scales British Medical AssociationOfficial Written by Editorial LeadReviewed by Procedural ReviewerPublished 12 July 2026Updated 12 July 2026See change log →

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