Pay

Our guidance advises doctors in the UK on issues that may impact your pay including rises, information on your pay slip and claiming expenses.
Join the BMA
Wallet and notes illustration

Resident doctors' pay scales

Pay scales for resident doctors in England

The basic pay scales for resident doctors in training in England. BMA guidance

Pay scales for resident doctors in Scotland

The basic pay scales for resident doctors in training in Scotland. BMA guidance

Pay scales for resident doctors in Wales

The basic pay scales for resident doctors in training in Wales. BMA guidance

Pay scales for resident doctors in Northern Ireland

The basic pay scales for resident doctors in training in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance
Pay checker
Pay checker

Use our Pay checker tool to make sure you are receiving the pay you are entitled to each month as a resident doctor on the 2016 contract.

Learn more

Specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors' pay scales

Pay scales for SAS doctors in England

The basic pay scales for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in England. BMA guidance

Pay scales for SAS doctors in Scotland

The basic pay scales for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in Scotland. BMA guidance

Pay scales for SAS doctors in Wales

The basic pay scales for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in Wales. BMA guidance

Pay scales for SAS doctors in Northern Ireland

The basic pay scales for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance

SAS pay progression

As a SAS doctor, progressing through the pay scales will mean meeting specific requirements outlined in two thresholds, as well as a collection of evidence to further support your progression. BMA guidance

Consultants' pay scales

Pay scales for consultants in England

The basic pay scales for NHS consultants in England. BMA guidance

Pay scales for consultants in Scotland

The basic pay scales for NHS consultants in Scotland. BMA guidance

Pay scales for consultants in Wales

The basic pay scales for NHS consultants in Wales. BMA guidance

Pay scales for consultants in Northern Ireland

The basic pay scales for NHS consultants in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance

Consultant award schemes

Consultant award scheme changes: Clinical excellence awards (CEA)

Information on National CEAs/CIAs and discretionary points, including everything you need for application, what you need to demonstrate, award values and details of the award schemes in the devolved nations. BMA guidance

National clinical impact award scheme

There have been important changes to the National Clinical Excellence Award scheme (NCEAs) which is now known as the National Clinical Impact Award scheme (NCIAs). These changes were introduced unilaterally in 2022 in spite of the BMA's concerns.  BMA guidance

GP pay

Competition law and locum GPs

This guidance aims to dispel confusion around competition law and the NHS to help locum GP doctors share information about their rates. BMA guidance

Declaring GP earnings over £150,000

Eligible GPs will need to declare any NHS earnings over the threshold annually. Read who the rules on pay transparency affects, what it means for you and the BMA's position. BMA guidance

A recommended pay range for salaried GPs in England

The DDRB pay ranges for salaried GPs are flawed. Read about the ranges and the BMA’s work to improve them. BMA guidance

Salaried GP pay ranges

Read about the salaried GP pay range which was established in 2004 with the model contract and each year is uplifted by the DDRB recommendation. 

Other doctors' pay

Medical academics' pay scales

This guidance covers what medical or clinical academics should be paid, including protections for those trainees transferring to the 2016 pay scale and what pay premia and additional awards academics are entitled to. BMA guidance

Armed forces doctors' pay scales

Read about the latest pay agreement and recommended salaries for armed forces doctors. BMA guidance

Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs)

Find out how the DDRB recommendations impact you and whether you are being over-worked in your current role. BMA guidance

Rate cards

Consultant non-contractual work

This page provides guidance on undertaking non-contractual work as a consultant in England. Please note that we have a separate guide which sets out rights and suggested pay rates for engaging in non-contractual work for NHS employers as a consultant in Wales. BMA guidance

Consultant non-contractual rate card for Wales

This guide sets out your rights and suggested pay rates for engaging in non-contractual work for your NHS employer as a consultant in Wales. BMA guidance

Consultant non-contractual rate card for Northern Ireland

This page provides guidance on pay rates for participating in non-contractual and extra work or activity for consultants in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance

SAS doctors extra-contractual rate card for Northern Ireland

This guide sets out your rights and pay rates for participating in extra-contractual work or activity for SAS doctors in Northern Ireland. BMA guidance

SAS doctors non-contractual rate card for Wales

This guide sets out your rights and pay rates for participating in non-contractual work or activity for SAS doctors in Wales. BMA guidance

Resident doctor rate card – 2002 terms and conditions

This guidance outlines the circumstances in which resident doctors working on the 2002 contract are able to refuse non-contractual work if the rate of pay is not sufficient. BMA guidance

SAS doctors extra-contractual rate card for England

This guide sets out your rights and pay rates for participating in extra-contractual work or activity for SAS doctors in England. Please note that we have a separate guide which sets out rights and suggested pay rates for engaging in non-contractual work for NHS employers as a SAS doctor in Wales.  BMA guidance

Payslips

Pay checker - a tool for resident doctors on the 2016 contract

Use Pay checker to make sure you are receiving the pay you are entitled to as a resident doctor in England on the 2016 contract. Check the accuracy of your pay by entering your rota, work schedule and other details. Entering your rota also initiates a safe working check BMA product

How to use Pay checker

Support videos for our Pay checker app.  BMA product

Understanding your payslip - resident doctors on the 2016 contract

There may be some terms on your payslip that are unfamiliar to you. Our sample resident doctor payslip explains all the different elements of pay that you might receive. BMA guidance

Understanding your payslip - resident doctors on the 2002 contract

Avoid the nasty surprise of getting underpaid by making sure your tax and pay details are correct from the beginning of your new job. Check your payslip. BMA guidance

Understanding the consultants' payslip

We navigate consultants' payslips, what it all means and what you need to look out for. BMA guidance

Understanding the consultants' payslip in Scotland

In this short guide, our goal is to demystify some of the entries on the consultant payslip, and also flag up the areas that you may need to look at more carefully. BMA guidance

Pay banding

How pay banding works

Banding affects how you are paid, if you are resident doctor on the 2002 contract in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Find out what band you should be as a flexible or full-time trainee resident doctor.  BMA guidance

Rebanding for resident doctors

For resident doctors on the 2002 contract, rebanding takes place when employers change the banding of their post and rota. Employers must comply, pay should be protected, and trainees can appeal. BMA guidance

LTFT

Less than full-time trainees' pay explained

Explaining pay for those working LTFT (less than full-time), including examples, weekend allowance, on-call, transitional pay and flexible pay.  BMA guidance

Corrections within the Allocate eRota system

This change may affect any LTFT trainee in England who has worked with a trust using Allocate software for resident doctor rota calculations, potentially back to the initial implementation of the contract in 2016. Read our guidance on what to do next. BMA guidance

Pay protection

Pay protection

Guidance on pay protection for resident doctors under the 2016 terms and conditions. BMA guidance

Expenses

Travel expenses for doctors

Claiming travel expenses can be very confusing as it may be unclear, particularly in England, which policy you should be following. We lay down the rates and your rights. BMA guidance

Expenses for resident doctors relocating for work

If you have to move home to further your resident doctor training or for the service, you may be eligible for relocation expenses. Find out what types of costs you can reclaim. BMA guidance

How doctors' pay is decided

Doctors' annual pay review from DDRB

The BMA has longstanding concerns about the effectiveness and independence of the DDRB. We have set out the key requirements for reform of the pay review process to ensure that it can function truly independently. BMA negotiations

How NHS doctors’ pay is decided

How much doctors earn in the NHS is reviewed annually by the DDRB, which makes recommendations to the Government. BMA guidance

Review of the gender pay gap in medicine

DHSC commissioned an independent review of the gap between men’s and women’s earnings in medicine. It aims to pinpoint the causes of the gender pay gap, and how they can be addressed. BMA views

Pay evidence for doctors in Scotland

One of the key priorities for BMA Scotland is improving doctor pay and pursuing full pay restoration.  Our Branch of Practice Committees are each individually responsible for their pay strategy – whether through participation in the DDRB or direct pay negotiations with Scottish Government.