Anaesthetist Salary UK 2026/27: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay & Full Guide

Understanding the anesthetist salary in the UK requires looking at several pay structures: NHS consultant scales, training grades, and additional earnings from private practice or London weighting. This guide uses the latest official sources to explain hourly and annual pay, hours assumptions, and how to convert between them.

How Anaesthetist Pay is Structured

Anaesthetists in the NHS are employed under the Medical and Dental (M&D) contract for consultants and training grades. Pay scales are set nationally and updated annually. From 1 April 2026, consultant basic pay increased by 3.5% NHS Employers. Trainee salaries follow a separate scale. Additionally, many anaesthetists supplement their income through private practice, which can significantly boost total earnings.

Consultant Anaesthetist Salary

According to the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Workforce Census 2025, consultant anaesthetists reported average total earnings of £145,696 before tax, including £123,598 from NHS work RCoA. The NHS consultant pay scale for 2026/27 ranges from approximately £95,000 to £126,000 basic pay, depending on length of service and any local clinical excellence awards. A commonly cited average consultant salary is £110,000, though this is not an official NHS figure.

Hourly equivalent: For a consultant on £110,000 working 40 hours per week (10 PAs), the hourly rate is about £52.88 (£110,000 ÷ (40 × 52)). However, actual hours are often higher – the RCoA found consultants work around 43–46 hours per week on average, which lowers the effective hourly rate for base pay.

Trainee Anaesthetist Pay (Core and Specialty Training)

Trainee anaesthetists (Anaesthetists in Training, AiTs) earn less but still above the UK median. The RCoA census reports average total income for AiTs overall at £74,065. Core trainees (CT1-3) average £43,000–£50,000, while specialty registrars (ST3-7) earn approximately £58,000–£65,000. These figures include basic pay plus any banding supplements for unsocial hours.

Hours worked: Core trainees average 46.5 hours per week, specialty trainees 44.3 hours (ST4-5) and 43.8 hours (ST6-7+). This means their effective hourly rate is lower than the basic pay suggests. For a CT1-3 earning £43,000 and working 46.5 hours, the hourly rate is about £17.78 (£43,000 ÷ (46.5 × 52)).

Other Roles: LED and PAA

Locally employed doctors (LEDs) and physician associates in anaesthesia (PAAs) are also part of the anaesthetic workforce. LEDs earn an average total income of £63,308, working 44.1 hours per week. PAAs, employed under Agenda for Change, earn £55,474 total on average, working 34.6 hours per week (standard full-time is 37.5 hours). PAAs are not doctors but are included in the anaesthetic team.

London Weighting and Additional Payments

Consultants working in London receive London weighting: higher rate £11,673 per year, lower rate £5,837 per year (2026/27). This is paid in addition to basic salary. Other allowances include on-call supplements, clinical excellence awards (now National Clinical Impact Awards), and payments for additional programmed activities. Private practice income is separate and can add £20,000–£40,000 or more for consultants in high-demand surgical specialties.

Hours of Work and Part-Time Considerations

Full-time for NHS consultants is defined as 10 programmed activities per week (40 hours). However, the RCoA census shows most consultants work more than 40 hours. Part-time consultants work fewer PAs, and their salary is pro-rated accordingly. For trainees, part-time is less common but possible. When converting an hourly rate to annual salary, always use your contracted hours per week. Use our Hourly to Salary converter to estimate annual pay based on your hours.

Converting Hourly to Annual Salary for Anaesthetists

The standard conversion formula is:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time consultant (40 hours/week):

• Hourly £50 → Annual £104,000
• Hourly £60 → Annual £124,800

For a PAA on 37.5 hours/week:

• Hourly £20 → Annual £39,000
• Hourly £25 → Annual £48,750

Remember that overtime, on-call, and London weighting are not included in these basic conversions. For a more detailed breakdown, see our salary articles on NHS pay scales.

Summary

The anesthetist salary in the UK varies widely by grade, location, and private practice. Consultant anaesthetists earn among the highest NHS salaries, with average total earnings around £145,000. Trainees earn £43,000–£65,000. When comparing hourly rates, always consider the actual hours worked – many anaesthetists exceed standard full-time hours. For the most accurate conversion, use your contracted hours and include any allowances. Check official NHS Employers pay scales and the RCoA workforce reports for the latest data.

Disclaimer: Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.