Understanding Radiology Salary in the UK

When researching a radiology salary in the UK, it is important to distinguish between the two main data sources: NHS pay bands for diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, and the broader Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for medical radiographers. Both reveal how location, seniority, and employer type affect earnings.

This article covers the latest 2026/27 NHS pay scales, the ONS ASHE 2025 provisional median, regional differences, and how to convert hourly rates to annual figures. For a full library of UK salary benchmarks, visit our salary data page.

NHS Pay Bands for Diagnostic Radiographers (2026/27)

Most diagnostic radiographers in England work for the NHS and are paid under the Agenda for Change terms. The 2026/27 pay scales, published by NHS Employers, show clear progression from newly qualified to consultant level.

Band	Role example	Entry annual	Top annual	Top hourly (37.5 hrs)
Band 5	Newly qualified radiographer	£32,073	£39,043	£19.97
Band 6	Senior radiographer / modality lead	£39,959	£48,117	£24.61
Band 7	Reporting / advanced radiographer	£49,387	£56,515	£28.90
Band 8a	Consultant radiographer	£66,274	£73,496	£37.59

These figures are basic pay for England (excluding London). Radiographers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland follow separate but broadly similar scales. The hourly rates assume a 37.5-hour week and 52 weeks per year, which is the standard NHS full-time contract.

London Weighting (HCAS)

Radiographers working in London receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). For 2026/27, Inner London attracts 20% of basic salary (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746), Outer London 15%, and the Fringe 5%. A Band 6 radiographer at the top step in Inner London would therefore earn £48,117 plus up to £8,746, totalling £56,863.

ONS ASHE Median for Medical Radiographers

The ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data (published late 2025) gives a national median annual salary of £44,324 for full-time medical radiographers (SOC code 2254). The median hourly rate is £24.83. This figure includes all full-time employees in the occupation, not just NHS staff, so it captures private hospitals and locum roles.

It is worth noting that the ONS hourly rate is calculated using a different method (total annual earnings divided by 2,080 hours), which explains why £24.83 × 2,080 = £51,646, not £44,324. The ONS median hourly is derived from actual paid hours reported by employers. For a standard 37.5-hour week, the equivalent hourly rate would be around £22.73.

Regional Variations

ONS ASHE reveals striking regional differences in radiology pay. The table below shows median annual and hourly figures for selected regions (10th and 90th percentiles are suppressed for some regions due to small sample sizes).

Region	Median annual	Median hourly
East of England	£53,607	£27.12
Scotland	£47,035	£25.32
South West	£46,738	£25.44
North West	£46,652	£24.97
North East	£45,791	£22.93
London	£43,084	£26.91
West Midlands	£41,494	£24.50
South East	£37,639	£22.87
East Midlands	£34,167	£23.59
Wales	—	£19.67

London’s median appears lower than the East of England, but this is partly because London has a higher proportion of early-career radiographers. When HCAS is added to NHS basic pay, London radiographers often take home more than their regional counterparts.

Seniority and Career Progression

A typical radiology career path starts at Band 5 after a three-year degree and HCPC registration. With experience and further training, radiographers can move to Band 6 (senior or modality lead), Band 7 (reporting radiographer), and Band 8a (consultant). Each band has multiple pay steps, with annual increments for experience.

For example, a Band 6 radiographer at the entry step earns £39,959, rising to £48,117 after three to four years. A Band 7 reporting radiographer starts at £49,387 and can reach £56,515. Consultant radiographers (Band 8a) earn up to £73,496.

Converting Hourly to Annual Salary

If you know your hourly rate, you can estimate your annual salary using the standard NHS full-time hours assumption:

Annual ≈ hourly rate × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks

For example:

• Band 6 top hourly £24.61 → £24.61 × 37.5 × 52 = £48,117
• Band 7 top hourly £28.90 → £28.90 × 37.5 × 52 = £56,515
• ONS median hourly £24.83 → £24.83 × 37.5 × 52 = £48,418 (but ONS median annual is £44,324 due to different hours basis)

Use our hourly calculator to try different hours and see take-home pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension.

Take-Home Pay After Tax and Pension

NHS radiographers contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme (typically 9.3% of pensionable pay for 2026/27). After income tax and employee National Insurance, the net annual pay at the top of each band is:

• Band 5 top: £28,570 (£2,381 per month)
• Band 6 top: £34,391 (£2,866 per month)
• Band 7 top: £39,708 (£3,309 per month)

These figures assume no student loan, no London weighting, and standard pension membership. Actual take-home will vary with personal circumstances.

Conclusion

A radiology salary in the UK depends heavily on where you work, your band, and whether you receive London weighting. The NHS provides a structured pay progression from £32,073 to over £73,000 for consultants, while the ONS median of £44,324 reflects the wider market. Regional differences can exceed £15,000 between the highest and lowest paying areas.

For more detailed comparisons and to calculate your own figures, explore our salary articles and salary data pages.