Last Updated on August 29, 2024
The UK is one of the best places to work as a doctor globally. It offers good salary packages and far better work culture & experience than in India. Different streams include gynaecology, general medicine, trauma, orthopedics, and many more. Over the past few years, different approaches have been suggested to make room in medical colleges and fill the demand for doctors. The average doctor salary in UK is INR 46 lakhs to around INR 81 lakh annually.
What is a Doctor’s Salary in UK?
The following table shows the salaries offered to doctors of different grades in the UK.
| Grade of Doctors | Annual Basic Salary in INR |
| Foundation Training | INR 34 to 39 Lakhs |
| Specialist Training | INR 46 to 66 Lakhs |
| Specialty | INR 55 to 87 Lakhs |
| Specialty Grade | INR 88 to 97 Lakhs |
Doctor Salary in UK for Trainees
In the UK, a doctor’s Salary is based on experience. e.g., a trainee level Dr can work up to 40 hours every week and may get a salary of Rs. between the range from 34 Lakh- 44Lakhs P.An. Besides, they can also work at weekends and perform overtime or night shifts to make more money on top of their committed salary. Doctors + trainees – Doctors in F1 and F2, doctors in specialist training. F1: Average first-year salary – 29 lakhs/year, Increase in second year to – 33 lakh per Annum for junior doctors/trainees of a hospital/foundation nearby. A median take-home salary of £82,298 for F2 – Specialty Registrar or Doctor in training.
Doctor Salary in UK for Consultants
According to the official site of the National Health Service, the basic salary of a consultant is INR 98 lakhs to around 1.32,00,00,00. One will also be compensated for additional duties and could also be eligible for clinical excellence awards. In addition to your work, consultants can also come up with their own private practices.
Job Responsibilities for Doctors in the UK
A doctor can only practice in the United Kingdom after getting officially registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). The job responsibilities of a doctor in the UK are almost the same as those of other nations. The key responsibilities for this job role as mentioned below-
- Focus on improving life expectancy by treating the patient
- Promote and protect the health of the public
- The first concern should be treating the patient
- Stay updated with the latest learning and work according to your competence.
- Take required action for the patients, safety, dignity, or comfort as being compromised.
- Be honest and act with integrity
- Do not discriminate against patients or colleagues
Doctor Salary in UK as per specialty
The doctor salary in UK depends on your specialization and medicine. The top specialization is for a doctor, which is given below.
| Type of specialisation | Anaesthetist |
| Neurosurgeon | 1 Crore |
| Anesthetist | 96 lakhs |
| Plastic Surgeon | 96 lakhs |
| Psychiatrist | 76 lakhs |
| Cardiologist | 70 lakhs |
Apart from these base pay or minimum salary, doctors in the UK are also paid additional cash compensation. These are received as other perks or benefits such as housing, transport, and medical insurance.
Doctor Salary in UK as per Experience Level
The number of years of experience is an important factor in determining a person‘s salary. Naturally, the more years of work or job experience you have, the higher your weight will be. Once your experience level rises, you will be more eligible for higher level roles in an organization, and your salary hikes due to reasons like doctors who just got their license are beginners in their careers and may still be learning and improving their skills. Another reason is that the rate at which the peak can go up depends upon the doctor’s field of specialization, The company they work for, how much their skills are, and how well they do their job. Finally, doctors who have contributed significantly to medical research academic papers or in leadership Roles may also be making more money because of their other accomplishments.
The difference in annual salary for UK doctors is given below according to their work experience.
| Work Experience Years | Average Annual Salary in INR |
| 0-1 years | 25 lakhs to 36 lakhs |
| 1-2 years | 29 lakhs to 39 lakhs |
| 2-5 years | 35 lakhs to 45 lakhs |
| 5-10 years | 41 lakhs to 54 lakhs |
The average salary will further increase as your work experience increases. The average doctor salary in UK for physicians with over 20 years of experience ranges from 67 lakhs to 90,00,000 INR.
Doctor Salary in UK According to Location
Doctor salary in UK varies across cities and states. It is important to offer medical workers competitive payback. If you want to get and keep them knowing about these pay, differences can help doctors and people who want to become doctors choose the right job path. Firstly, the desire for doctor services can significantly affect their pain. If there are not many medical facilities in an area with many people, there may be a higher demand for healthcare workers, leading to higher salaries to draw and keep them.
Secondly, the economy of a state or area can also affect how much doctors get paid Because they can put more money into healthcare. Places with strong economies and a high GDP tend to spend more on their doctors; changes in funding policy decisions and budget limits needed at the national level can all affect how much money is available to pay doctors salaries in the UK among different areas. The following table lists all the popular cities in the country so that you can have an overview of the wages of this profession there.
| Cities in the UK | Average Annual Salary in the UK in INR |
| London | 67 lakhs |
| Leicester | 58 lakhs |
| Bristol | 53 lakhs |
| Cardiff | 52 lakhs |
| Liverpool | 52 lakhs |
| Edinburgh | 51 lakhs |
| Exeter | 51 lakhs |
| Sheffield | 50 lakhs |
| Birmingham | 48 lakhs |
| Glasgow | 48 lakhs |
Doctor Salary in UK Vs. India
The UK is a developed nation. The UK is among the top five countries in the world, after the USA, Canada, and Australia. The doctors in the UK are highly paid, according to a survey conducted by Medscape. The average doctor wage in the UK is INR1 CR, which is more than the average salary of doctors in India, as here in India, doctors get an annual salary of INR 23 to 25 lakhs.
| Level/Experience | Doctor Salary in UK (INR annually) | Doctor Salary in India (INR annually) |
| Junior Doctor | 25 lakhs to 35 lakhs | 5 lakh to 8 lakh INR |
| Consultant | 40 lakhs to 70 lakhs | 10 lakhs to 18 lakhs INR |
| Specialist | 35 lakhs to 65 lakhs | 8 lakh to 15 lakhs INR |
| General practitioner | 35 lakhs to 60 lakhs | 8 lakh to 13 lakhs INR |
| Surgeon | 35 lakhs to 75 lakhs | 8 lakh to 18 lakhs INR |
| Senior Doctor | 40 lakhs to 80 lakhs | 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs INR |
How Can We Become a Doctor in the UK?
In order to become a doctor in the United Kingdom, aspirants need to have an outstanding educational background. Candidates need to pass the MBBS degree offered by the medical colleges in the UK, most preferably. The duration of MBBS in the UK is 5 years. After that, the aspirant gets enrolled in two-year foundation courses. After completing one year of the foundation course, registration with the General Medical Council is mandatory.
It is popularly known as the GMC registration. Also, 5 to 8 years of specialty training courses are taken up by budding doctors. Kindly note that before getting an MBBS admission to UK universities, candidates need to pass entrance tests such as UCAT, BMAT, and more as required. This profession in the UK takes time, work, and determination but still provides a lot of job satisfaction and chances to grow as a professional and as an individual as well.
Job Prospects in the UK for Indian Students
According to the General Medical Council (GMC), the government recently launched a major program to train and recruit healthcare workers in England UK. The UK government is planning to recruit as many doctors and healthcare workers in their country. In the next 10 to 15 years, the UK government will spend more than GBP 2.4 billion on training these healthcare professionals. It is a great opportunity for students who want to pursue their MBBS abroad and are planning to become doctors in the UK, as this will reap a number of benefits for them.
Conclusion
Indian medical professionals may find the benefits offered to doctors in the UK to be an impressive employment opportunity. The doctor salary in UK is also a promising option due to the financial security, chances for professional and personal development, and exposure to multiple cultures throughout their course of work. The average doctor salary in UK is about a percent of 57 higher than any of the other jobs in the health and medical sub-sector. In addition to the fixed-job hours. Doctors can also take up extra shifts, mostly known as locum shifts or duties, to earn more supplement income on top of their basic pay.
Ultimately, Indian doctors who are dedicated, minded, and passionate and have a good command of the English language will have the best chance of capitalizing on the opportunities that the UK presence for their professional development as medical professionals overcome challenges, increase the diversity, and seize opportunities that await you.
FAQs
What are some of the other benefits for doctors in the UK?
Other benefits apart from the attractive salary and better work environment are that doctors in the UK get access to paid annual and study leaves, bank holidays, study budget, part-time training, health insurance, pension scheme, dental and optical insurance.
Does the doctor salary in UK vary depending on the state?
Yes, a doctor salary in UK varies depending on the state as Scotland offers an annual salary of 75 lakhs, followed by Northern Ireland providing an annual salary of 72 lakhs, Wales giving a salary of 71 lakhs, and England giving a salary of 61 lakhs.
Which are some of the top-paying companies in the UK?
Cygnet provides the highest salary for doctors in the UK at about 84 lakhs per annum, Maximus gives out a salary of 78 lakhs, and other companies include Minerva Nursing, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Are Indian doctors required to pass additional exams or certification tests in the UK?
Yes, Indian doctors are required to pass the Professional and Linguistic Board Test (PLAB) to study in the UK.
Can I study to become a doctor in the UK for free?
Yes, you can study the medical field for free in the UK. However, this requires you to bag a 100% scholarship. Some of the few scholarships are the holy grail scholarship, the Imperial College, London, full scholarship, The John Abernethy (Barts) scholarship, etc. However, due to the high demand, the competition to secure the scholarship is very high.
Linette Shoji is a seasoned content writer specializing in guiding students through the complexities of applying to universities abroad. Her well-researched, clear, and practical articles break down intricate information into easy-to-understand advice. Linette’s work empowers students to make informed decisions, ensuring a smooth and successful journey to higher education.
