Understanding Psychiatrist Salary UK: Hourly and Annual Pay

If you are exploring a career in psychiatry or are already working as a psychiatrist in the UK, understanding how your pay is structured is essential. This guide covers the latest NHS consultant psychiatrist salary scales, the wider ONS market median, how to convert hourly rates to annual figures, and the impact of part-time work and London weighting.

NHS Consultant Psychiatrist Pay Scale 2026/27

For consultant psychiatrists employed by the NHS in England, basic pay from 1 April 2026 ranges from £113,565 to £150,569 per year. This scale applies to all consultants under the national medical and dental terms and conditions, as confirmed by the NHS Employers Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1/2026. The circular also confirms a 3.5% increase to basic pay for consultants and specialty doctors.

It is important to note that this is basic salary only. Many consultants earn more through extra programmed activities (PAs), on-call availability supplements, clinical excellence awards, and local or national recognition payments. Private practice income is separate and not included in NHS pay figures.

ONS Market Median for Psychiatrists

The Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides a broader view of earnings for specialist medical practitioners and consultants, which includes psychiatrists. The 2025 provisional median for full-time employees in this occupation is £92,847 per year, with an hourly median of £41.84. This figure is useful for benchmarking but covers a wider group than just NHS consultants and includes some specialty doctors and SAS doctors.

For context, the overall UK full-time median salary is £39,039, meaning psychiatrists typically earn well above the national average.

Converting Hourly to Annual: Hours per Week Assumptions

When converting an hourly rate to an annual salary, the standard formula is:

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

For example, using the ONS hourly median of £41.84 and assuming a 37.5-hour week:

£41.84 × 37.5 × 52 = £81,588

This is lower than the ONS annual median of £92,847 because the ONS calculates hourly and annual pay from different data sources and includes overtime and allowances in the annual figure. For NHS consultants, the contract is based on programmed activities (PAs) – typically 10 PAs per week, each PA representing 4 hours of work (including direct clinical care and supporting activities). This equates to a 40-hour week, but the basic salary is fixed regardless of exact hours worked.

If you are a part-time psychiatrist, your salary is pro-rata based on the number of PAs you work. For example, working 6 PAs per week (60% of full-time) would give 60% of the full-time basic salary.

Part-Time and Less-Than-Full-Time Working

Psychiatry offers flexible working options. Doctors training less than full time (LTFT) receive an annual allowance of £1,000 on top of their pro-rata salary. Part-time consultants and specialty doctors have their pay calculated according to the number of programmed activities they work. Always check your contract for the exact hours and any additional payments for on-call or out-of-hours work.

London Weighting and Additional Allowances

Psychiatrists working in London receive a London weighting allowance to help with higher living costs. From 1 April 2026, the higher rate (inner London) is £11,673 per year and the lower rate (outer London) is £5,837 per year. This is paid in addition to basic salary and is included in your gross pay. When converting to an hourly rate, remember that London weighting increases your effective hourly earnings.

Other allowances may include recruitment and retention premia, clinical excellence awards, and on-call availability supplements. These are not guaranteed and vary by trust and role.

Using the Hourly to Salary Calculator

To quickly estimate your annual salary from an hourly rate, use our Hourly to Salary tool. It lets you enter your hourly wage, weekly hours, and any allowances to see your gross annual and monthly pay. You can also explore our salary articles for more guides on NHS pay scales, tax calculations, and part-time working.

Remember that the figures in this guide are based on published NHS and ONS data. Your actual pay will depend on your contract, experience, location, and any additional duties. Always refer to official NHS Employers guidance and your employment contract for precise figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average psychiatrist salary UK in 2026?

The average (median) annual pay for specialist medical practitioners and consultants, including psychiatrists, is £92,847 according to ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data. NHS consultant basic pay ranges from £113,565 to £150,569. Actual earnings vary by experience, location, and additional duties.

How do I convert an hourly psychiatrist rate to an annual salary?

Multiply the hourly rate by your contracted hours per week, then by 52 weeks. For example, at the ONS median hourly rate of £41.84 and assuming 37.5 hours per week: £41.84 × 37.5 × 52 = £81,588 (this is lower than the annual median because ONS hourly and annual figures are calculated differently). Always check your contract for actual hours and any overtime or allowances.

Do psychiatrists in London earn more?

Yes. NHS doctors in London receive a London weighting allowance: higher rate £11,673 per year (inner London) and lower rate £5,837 per year (outer London). This is paid on top of basic salary and is reflected in the hourly rate when applicable.