Understanding the Radiographer Salary UK: Hourly to Annual Conversion

If you're looking at a radiographer salary UK, you'll often see figures quoted as an hourly rate or an annual salary. Converting between the two is straightforward if you know the standard working week. For NHS roles, full-time is typically 37.5 hours per week. To get an annual figure, multiply the hourly rate by 37.5 and then by 52 weeks. For example, the median hourly rate for medical radiographers from ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data is £24.83, which works out to around £48,418 per year. However, actual pay depends on your band, experience, location, and any overtime or unsocial hours.

Use our hourly calculator to quickly convert any rate, or browse our salary articles for more guidance.

NHS Pay Bands for Diagnostic Radiographers 2026/27

The NHS uses pay bands that determine your salary. Diagnostic radiographers typically start on Band 5 and can progress to Band 6 and Band 7 as they gain experience and take on more responsibility. The 2026/27 pay scales from NHS Employers show:

• Band 5: Entry point £32,073 per year (£16.40 per hour), top of band £39,043 (£19.97 per hour).
• Band 6: Entry £39,959 (£20.44 per hour), top £48,117 (£24.61 per hour).
• Band 7: Entry £49,387 (£25.26 per hour), top £56,515 (£28.90 per hour).

These rates apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate pay structures. Within each band, you move up pay steps annually (subject to satisfactory performance) until you reach the top.

ONS ASHE: What the National Data Shows

The Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides a broader picture of radiographer salary UK across all employers, not just the NHS. The provisional 2025 data for medical radiographers shows:

• Median gross annual pay: £44,324 (median hourly £24.83)
• Mean annual pay: £43,386
• 10th percentile: £26,085 (entry-level or part-time roles)
• Upper quartile (75th percentile): £53,019

This means half of medical radiographers earn less than £44,324 and half earn more. The mean is slightly lower, suggesting a skew towards lower-paid roles. Regional differences are significant: the East of England has the highest median at £53,607, while the East Midlands is lowest at £34,167. London's median is £43,084, but NHS staff there receive a High Cost Area Supplement (see below).

London Weighting and High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS)

NHS radiographers working in London and surrounding areas get an extra payment on top of their basic salary. For 2026/27, the HCAS rates are:

• Inner London: 20% of basic salary, minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746.
• Outer London: 15%, minimum £4,870, maximum £6,137.
• Fringe (e.g. parts of Surrey, Berkshire): 5%, minimum £1,346, maximum £2,270.

This can significantly boost your radiographer salary UK. For example, a Band 6 top of band (£48,117) in inner London would receive an extra £8,746 (the maximum), bringing total basic pay to £56,863. The hourly rate including HCAS would be around £29.08.

Take-Home Pay After Tax, NI and Pension

Your gross salary is not what lands in your bank account. The NHS Pay Bands site provides estimates of take-home pay for diagnostic radiographers after deducting income tax, employee National Insurance, and the NHS pension contribution (standard rate). For 2026/27:

• Band 5 top: Gross £39,043 → net £28,570 per year (£2,381 per month)
• Band 6 top: Gross £48,117 → net £34,391 per year (£2,866 per month)
• Band 7 top: Gross £56,515 → net £39,708 per year (£3,309 per month)

These figures assume no student loan repayments, no unsocial hours payments, and no London weighting. Your actual take-home will vary if you work nights, weekends, or bank holidays, which attract enhanced rates.

Overtime and Unsocial Hours

NHS radiographers often work shifts, including evenings, nights, and weekends. Unsocial hours payments are calculated as a percentage of basic pay (typically 30% for nights, 60% for Sundays, etc.). Overtime beyond your contracted hours is usually paid at time-and-a-half or double time. This can push your annual earnings well above the band maximum. NHS Digital's Staff Earnings Estimates for June 2026 show mean annual earnings per person at £45,163, which is higher than basic pay because of these extras.

How to Use This Information

When comparing job offers or planning your career, consider both the hourly rate and the annual salary. Use our salary data page to see how radiographer pay compares to other NHS roles. Remember that progression through bands and steps, plus location allowances, can significantly change your earnings over time.

Summary

The radiographer salary UK varies by employer, band, region, and experience. NHS bands provide a clear structure, with Band 5 starting around £32,073 and Band 7 reaching £56,515. National median pay from ONS ASHE is £44,324. London weighting adds up to 20%. Take-home pay after deductions is roughly 70-75% of gross. Always check your contract for exact hours and any additional payments.

For more help converting your rate, visit our Hourly to Salary homepage or explore our topics section for other healthcare roles.