Understanding GP Salary UK: Hourly and Annual Pay

If you are looking into a career as a general practitioner or are already working as a salaried GP, knowing the latest pay figures is essential. The term "gp salary uk" covers a wide range of earnings depending on whether you are a salaried GP, a partner, a locum, or working in different nations of the UK. This article focuses on the most recent official data for 2026/27, including the BMA salaried GP pay ranges, NHS pay scales, and ONS ASHE averages. We also explain how to convert annual salaries into hourly rates, and what the figures mean for your take-home pay.

Salaried GP Pay Ranges 2026/27

The Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) recommended a 3.5% uplift for salaried GPs from 1 April 2026, which the Government accepted. The BMA has published the following pay ranges for full-time salaried GPs under the model contract:

• England: £78,699 to £118,759 per year
• Wales: £81,893 to £123,573 per year
• Scotland: £77,160 to £115,167 per year
• Northern Ireland: £74,172 to £111,928 per year

These figures are for a standard full-time contract. The BMA notes that the model contract entitles employees to annual increments in line with the DDRB recommendation. If you are employed under an unmodified BMA Model Contract, your employer is expected to implement the full uplift. For other contracts, the uplift is encouraged but not legally binding.

ONS ASHE Data: A Broader View

The Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides a different perspective. According to data analysed by Salary Scout, the median GP salary in London for 2025/26 is £51,973, and the UK-wide median is £51,756. These figures are significantly lower than the BMA salaried GP minima. Why the difference? The ONS data covers all GP roles – including partners, locums, and part-time workers – whereas the BMA ranges apply only to full-time salaried GPs under the model contract. Many GPs work part-time, which pulls the median down. Additionally, GP partners often take a share of practice profits rather than a fixed salary, which can vary year to year.

Converting GP Salary to Hourly Rates

To understand what a GP salary means in hourly terms, you can use a simple conversion. The standard NHS full-time week is 37.5 hours. Multiply by 52 weeks to get 1,950 hours per year. Then divide the annual salary by 1,950.

For example:

• A salaried GP on the England minimum of £78,699 earns approximately £40.36 per hour.
• At the top of the range (£118,759), the hourly rate is about £60.90.
• Using the ONS UK median of £51,756, the hourly equivalent is roughly £26.54.

Remember that these are gross figures before tax and National Insurance. Actual take-home pay will depend on your tax code, pension contributions, and student loan repayments. You can use our hourly calculator to estimate your net income.

How GP Pay Compares to Other NHS Roles

The NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27 show that Agenda for Change bands top out at Band 9, with a maximum annual salary of £138,529 (£70.85 per hour). Salaried GPs sit between Band 8c and Band 9 in terms of pay. For context, a Band 8a entry point is £66,274 (£33.89/hr), while a Band 8d top is £117,560 (£60.12/hr). So a salaried GP at the top of the range is comparable to a very senior NHS manager or consultant.

London Weighting and Additional Payments

While the BMA salaried GP range is the same across England, some practices in London may offer a London weighting supplement. The DDRB uplift also applies to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), which can increase the maximum reimbursable rate for a salaried GP in London to £155,690 (including London weighting) in 2026/27, up from £113,057 in 2025/26. This means practices in London can claim more funding to employ a GP, which may lead to higher salaries in some cases.

GPs may also receive allowances for weekend work, on-call duties, or out-of-hours sessions. The Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026 R2 outlines weekend allowances as a percentage of basic salary. These extras can boost total compensation significantly.

Part-Time and Full-Time Considerations

Many GPs work part-time. The BMA ranges assume full-time (typically 37.5 hours per week). If you work fewer hours, your salary will be pro-rated. For example, a GP working three days a week (22.5 hours) on the England minimum would earn about £47,219 annually (£78,699 × 0.6). The hourly rate remains the same, but the annual figure drops. Always check your contract for the agreed weekly hours.

Using Our Tools

To see how a GP salary translates into monthly or weekly pay, try our salary articles for detailed breakdowns. You can also explore salary data for comparisons with other professions. If you are considering a move to a different region, our topics page covers regional pay variations.

Summary

The "gp salary uk" landscape is nuanced. For a full-time salaried GP under the BMA model contract, the 2026/27 pay range in England is £78,699 to £118,759. However, the ONS ASHE median of £51,756 reminds us that many GPs earn less due to part-time work or different employment models. When converting to hourly rates, use 37.5 hours per week as the standard. Always check your specific contract and any applicable allowances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average GP salary in the UK?

There is no single average because GP pay varies widely by role. For salaried GPs under the BMA model contract, the 2026/27 pay range in England is £78,699 to £118,759 per year. However, ONS ASHE data (2025/26) shows a UK median of £51,756 for all GP roles, which includes partners and locums. The lower median likely reflects part-time work and the mix of roles.

How does the GP salary compare to the UK national average?

The UK median full-time gross annual pay is about £39,039 (2026/27 on-site reference). Even the minimum salaried GP salary of £78,699 is roughly double the national median. The ONS ASHE GP median of £51,756 is still about 33% above the national median. GP pay is among the higher professional salaries in the UK.

Are GP salaries different in London?

Yes, but not in the way you might expect. The BMA salaried GP range for England applies nationwide, but some practices may offer London weighting. ONS ASHE data shows the median GP salary in London is £51,973, very close to the UK median of £51,756. However, the cost of living in London is higher, so real-terms pay may be lower. Salaried GPs in London may also receive higher ARRS reimbursements if employed via the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.