Doctor Salary After Tax (UK)
See what junior doctors, NHS consultants and locums keep after tax in 2026/27 — including the NHS Pension and student loan. Model your role in our calculator.
Doctor Pay & Take-Home (England, approximate)
After tax, NHS Pension and a typical Plan 2/5 student loan. Confirm with your payslip.
| Role | Gross | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|
| FY1 Junior Doctor | ≈ £36,000 | ≈ £2,400 |
| Specialty Doctor | ≈ £55,000 | ≈ £3,400 |
| NHS Consultant | ≈ £99,000 | ≈ £5,500 |
Doctor Pay Tips
- NHS Pension: Net Pay arrangement — reduces tax and NI.
- Student loan: most doctors are on Plan 2 — repayments bite above £29,385.
- Locums: see the Locum Doctor calculator for self-employed treatment.
- £100k trap: read our guide if you're a higher-paid consultant.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a junior doctor take home?
A foundation-year junior doctor on ~£36,000–£42,000 takes home roughly £2,400–£2,800 a month after tax, NHS Pension and Plan 2/5 student loan.
How much does an NHS consultant take home?
A consultant on ~£93,000–£126,000 takes home roughly £5,000–£6,500 a month. Above £100,000 the Personal Allowance is withdrawn, creating the 60% trap — pension contributions can reclaim it.
Are locum doctors taxed differently?
Locums are usually self-employed, paying Class 4 NI on profit plus Income Tax. Hourly rates are higher but there's no employer pension or sick pay. See our Locum Doctor calculator for the detail.