The UK offers some of the most competitive pay scales for doctors. From foundation training to specialization, the NHS is the largest recruiter in the UK healthcare market. They have 12,256 vacancies, helping med students with employment. Interested in studying in the UK? Follow this blog to learn more!
The average salary of doctors in the UK ranges from GBP 38,831 to GBP 44,439 (approximately INR 46 Lakhs to INR 53 Lakhs).
Medical consultants are often the highest earning doctors, earning anywhere between GBP 100,870 to 111,441 (INR 1.2 cr to INR 1.3 cr).
London is the highest-paying city for doctors in the UK, with an average annual salary of GBP 59,246 (INR 70 Lakhs)
What is the Average Doctor's Salary in the UK?
A doctor’s pay in the UK varies widely based on factors such as experience, grade, specialty, and location, ranging typically from GBP 61,542 (INR 73 Lakhs) to GBP 99,216 (INR 1.1 cr). The NHS pay in the UK is transparent and is structured by role and service years, with top consultants earning the most. Additionally, your salary as a doctor in the UK will also be largely affected by workload, on-call duties, and managerial roles, which can increase the base pay significantly.
Here’s an analysis of the grade-wise salary offered to doctors in the UK:
|
Grade of Doctors |
Salary (GBP) |
Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Foundation (Junior) Doctors |
38,831 to 44,439 |
46 Lakhs to 53 Lakhs |
|
Specialist/Training Doctors |
37,721 |
45 Lakhs |
|
Specialist Grade Doctors |
100,870 to 111,441 |
1.2 cr to 1.3 cr |
|
Consultants |
109,725 |
1.3 cr |
|
General Practitioners |
78,264 |
93 Lakhs |
Doctor Salaries in the UK: City-wise Insights
The average salary of doctors in the UK ranges from GBP 38,831 to GBP 44,439 (approximately INR 46 Lakhs to INR 53 Lakhs). The cost of studying MBBS in the UK is high, and the graduate salaries are often at par, ensuring a stable ROI. Let us take a detailed look at the location-wise salary difference in the UK:
|
City |
Salary (GBP) |
Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
London |
59,246 |
70 Lakhs |
|
Leicester |
47,627 |
57 Lakhs |
|
Bristol |
46,336 |
55 Lakhs |
|
Cardiff |
47,111 |
55 Lakhs |
|
Liverpool |
47,788 |
57 Lakhs |
|
Edinburgh |
48,622 |
57 Lakhs |
|
Exeter |
44,490 |
53 Lakhs |
|
Sheffield |
41,864 |
50 Lakhs |
|
Brimingham |
44,880 |
53 Lakhs |
|
Glasgow |
42,094 |
50 Lakhs |
Doctor Salary in the UK: Specialisation-wise Insights
The highest earning specialities tend to be fields like trauma and orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery that involve complex and specialist knowledge. Other high-paying non-surgical courses like psychiatry and radiology also have high earning potential due to their high demand in medical studies.
Let us take a detailed look at some of the high-paying specialities in the UK:
|
Specialities |
Salary (GBP) |
Salary(INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Cardiology |
111,313 |
1.3 cr |
|
Radiology |
91,664 |
1.08 cr |
|
Anaesthesiology |
119,684 |
1.4 cr |
|
Psychiatry |
115,320 |
1.3 cr |
|
Neurosurgery |
97,612 |
1.1 cr |
Suggested: Scholarships to Study MBBS in the UK
Doctor Salary in the UK Vs Other Countries
The average annual salary for doctors in the UK ranges from GBP 38,831 to 44,439 (INR 46 Lakhs to 53 Lakhs). This is the salary for junior doctors, but once you reach the medical consultant’s position, you can earn upwards of GBP 100,000 (INR 1.16 crore).
Let’s discuss the salaries of doctors in the UK vs other countries below:
|
Country |
Doctors Salary |
|---|---|
|
UK |
GBP 38,831 to 44,439 (INR 46 Lakhs to 53 Lakhs) |
|
India |
INR 4 Lakhs to INR 10 Lakhs |
|
USA |
USD 195,000 (INR 1.72 cr) |
|
Canada |
CAD 175,000 (INR 1.12 cr) |
|
France |
EUR 75,000 (INR 76 Lakhs) |
How to Become a Doctor in the UK?
If you want to become a doctor in the UK, you need to meet the eligibility requirements and obtain professional registration through the General Medical Council (GMC). As an international student in the UK, you must get your medical degree and supervised training/residency. Let’s discuss the steps to becoming a doctor in the UK below:
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility to be a doctor in the UK are as follows:
- Complete Medical Degree: You must hold an MBBS or equivalent degree from a GMC-recognised university (UK or overseas).
- Meet English Language Requirements: You need ELTS (overall 7.5, minimum 7.0 in each) or OET Grade B in all sub-tests is required for GMC registration.
- Clear Licensing Exams (If International Graduate): Doctors must pass the UKMLA (replacing PLAB 1 & 2 from 2024 to 25) for GMC registration.
- Complete Foundation Training (F1 & F2 Years): Two years of supervised medical practice in NHS hospitals to gain practical experience.
- Provide Proof of Identity & Good Standing: Required documentation for GMC registration, including certificates of good standing from previous medical councils.
Career Scope for Indian Medical Students in the UK
On average, every year, 9000 to 10,000 medical students graduate from medical universities in the UK. Against 12,256 openings, this is a great opportunity for your career. As an Indian student, you can complete your MBBS and seek employment in the UK through specialisation programs, post-graduate training, and constant administration programs. Pediatricians and Cosmetic Doctors make upwards of INR 1 crore annually, which is 71% higher than the annual average salary in the UK.
From the Desk of Yocket
Medicine is one of the most rewarding careers in the UK, both academically and financially. For Indian students, the pathway to UK medicine involves not just securing admission to top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, but also understanding the clinical training and licensing requirements that shape future earnings. With careful planning, you can position yourself for high-paying roles in specialisations like cardiology, neurology, or radiology, while contributing to one of the world’s most respected healthcare systems. And Yocket is here to help you with exactly that. With over 30,000 successful students across top universities, we can help you get into the best MBBS colleges in the UK. Connect now




