NHS resident doctors (formerly junior doctors) received a landmark pay settlement in 2023/24 ending years of industrial action. Under the new nodal pay structure, salaries include the 37% unsocial hours uplift within the contract rate. This guide shows FY1 to ST8 take-home pay after Income Tax, NI, NHS Pension and — for most — Plan 2 student loan repayments.
Resident Doctor Nodal Pay 2024/25 — England (No London Weighting)
Nodal pay includes the 37% unsocial hours uplift. Actual pay depends on rota intensity (some rotas qualify for higher uplift). Take-home estimates include NHS Pension; student loan repayments not included.
Grade
Basic salary
Nodal pay (37%)
NHS Pension rate
Est. take-home
FY1
£36,616
£41,750
9.8%
£2,457/mo
FY2
£43,116
£50,189
10.7%
£2,857/mo
ST1–ST2 (Core Training)
£51,017
£55,329
10.7%
£3,061/mo
ST3–ST4
£58,398
£62,886
10.7%
£3,359/mo
ST5–ST6
£64,050
£69,254
12.5%
£3,506/mo
ST7–ST8 / Senior Registrar
£70,425
£75,321
12.5%
£3,736/mo
Most FY1 doctors also repay Plan 2 student loans (9% above £27,295 threshold) — deduct approximately £100–£200/month from these take-home figures. London weighting adds £330–£540/month gross.
Student Loan Impact for Doctors
Medical students typically accumulate £70,000–£120,000 in student debt. Most doctors who graduated 2006–2022 are on Plan 2 (repay 9% of income above £27,295). 2023+ entrants are on Plan 5(£25,000 threshold, 40-year repayment window).
Grade / nodal pay
Plan 2 monthly repayment
Take-home after loan
FY1 (£41,750)
−£108/mo
£2,349/mo
FY2 (£50,189)
−£172/mo
£2,685/mo
ST3–4 (£62,886)
−£267/mo
£3,092/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FY1 doctor's salary in the UK?
Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors in England earn a basic salary of approximately £36,616 for 2024/25 under the 2023 contract deal. However, most FY1 doctors receive a 37% pay uplift on their basic (called the "nodal" or "banding" uplift) for working unsocial hours and on-call, making total earnings approximately £41,750–£50,200 depending on rota intensity. Take-home after tax, NI and NHS Pension is approximately £2,400–£2,900/month.
What did the 2023/24 junior doctor pay deal change?
The BMA and DHSC reached a pay deal in September 2023 giving resident doctors (formerly "junior doctors") a 22% increase over 2023/24 and 2024/25. This consisted of: an 8.8% consolidated increase for 2023/24 (applied from April 2023), followed by further increases for 2024/25. The deal also introduced the new "nodal" pay structure replacing the old banding system, and future pay review mechanisms.
How much do doctors contribute to the NHS Pension?
Resident doctors contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE scheme) at the same tiered rates as other NHS AfC staff: 5.2% on salary up to £13,259; 6.5% on £13,260–£26,831; 8.3% on £26,832–£32,691; 9.8% on £32,692–£49,078; 10.7% on £49,079–£62,924; 12.5% on £62,925+. The employer (NHS trust) contributes 23.7%.
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What is the 37% uplift (nodal pay) for junior doctors?
The 37% uplift (introduced in the 2023 contract) is a fixed percentage added to basic pay to account for unsocial hours, weekend and night working that is inherent in most resident doctor rotas. Under the new nodal system, pay points are set at the "37% uplift included" level, so your contract salary already reflects this. Some rotas attract a higher uplift (up to 40%) for very intensive on-call patterns.
Do junior doctors in London earn more?
Yes. Junior doctors working in London receive a London Weighting supplement: Inner London 20% (minimum £4,551, maximum £6,469), Outer London 15% (minimum £3,913, maximum £4,913), Fringe 5% (minimum £1,258, maximum £2,122). These supplements are pensionable and taxable. An FY1 in Inner London might earn an additional £5,000+ per year.
Do junior doctors have to pay back their student loans?
Yes. Most junior doctors graduated from a 5–6 year medical degree and have very large student loan balances, often £70,000–£100,000+. Medical students who started 2006+ are typically on Plan 2 (9% of income above £27,295 threshold) or Plan 5 (for 2023+ entrants, £25,000 threshold). An FY1 on £41,750 total pay repays approximately £1,300/year under Plan 2. Postgraduate study loans may add Plan 3 repayments.
What is the difference between junior doctor, resident doctor and registrar?
The NHS renamed "junior doctors" as "resident doctors" in 2024. The term covers all doctors in postgraduate training from FY1 through to the end of specialty training (ST3–ST8 or equivalent). A "registrar" usually refers to doctors in higher specialty training (ST3+) who are approaching consultant level. All are technically "resident doctors" regardless of grade.
What is the pay for a Specialty Registrar (StR) in the UK?
Specialty Registrars at ST3–ST8 level in England earn basic pay of approximately £51,017 (ST3–ST4 nodal point) to £70,425 (ST7–ST8 nodal point) for 2024/25. With the 37% standard uplift included in nodal pay, and before any London weighting, take-home for an ST5–ST6 on approximately £64,000 gross is around £3,400–£3,700/month after tax, NI and NHS Pension.
Do Junior Doctors pay Scottish Income Tax if they live and work in Scotland?
Yes -- if your main home is in Scotland, HMRC applies Scottish Income Tax rates (set by the Scottish Government) instead of the rUK bands, even though National Insurance stays the same UK-wide. For 2026/27 the Scottish bands are: Starter rate 19% on taxable income from GBP 0 to GBP 3,967, Basic rate 20% from GBP 3,967 to GBP 16,956, Intermediate rate 21% from GBP 16,956 to GBP 31,092, Higher rate 42% from GBP 31,092 to GBP 62,430, Advanced rate 45% from GBP 62,430 to GBP 125,140, and Top rate 48% above GBP 125,140 (all above the GBP 12,570 Personal Allowance). Middle earners typically pay a little more tax in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, while the gap widens for higher earners.
How much National Insurance does a Junior Doctor pay in 2026/27?
Employed Junior Doctors pay Class 1 employee National Insurance at 8% on earnings between the GBP 12,570 primary threshold and the GBP 50,270 upper earnings limit, and 2% on anything above that. Self-employed Junior Doctors instead pay Class 4 NI: 6% on profits between GBP 12,570 and GBP 50,270, and 2% above GBP 50,270 (Class 2 NI was abolished for most self-employed people from April 2024, though voluntary Class 2 payments of GBP 3.65 a week can still protect State Pension entitlement below the small profits threshold).
