UK radiologists are among the highest-paid NHS clinicians, with consultant salaries ranging from £99,532 to £131,964 under the 2024/25 pay circular, and experienced private practitioners earning £150,000--£250,000 or more. This page covers take-home pay after income tax and National Insurance at every career stage from specialty registrar through to mixed NHS and private practice, using 2026/27 rates. It also explains the impact of the NHS Pension Scheme 2015, on-call supplements, and the 60% marginal tax trap for income between £100,000 and £125,140.
NHS salaries are set nationally by NHS Employers pay circulars. Private sector and locum rates vary considerably by trust, region, and modality. Teleradiology companies often pay per-study or per-session rather than on an annual contract.
| Level | Stage | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY / Core Trainee | FY1--CT2 | £33,000--£50,000 | NHS Foundation and initial radiology training years; nodal pay points |
| Specialty Registrar | ST1--ST5 | £50,000--£75,000 | FRCR training; pay increases with each specialty training year |
| NHS Consultant | Newly appointed+ | £99,532--£131,964 | 2024/25 consultant contract; availability supplements and CEAs extra |
| Mixed NHS + Private | Experienced consultant | £120,000--£180,000 | NHS contract plus private sessions; income above £125,140 taxed at 45% |
| Private Consultant | Full private practice | £150,000--£250,000+ | Independent practice or teleradiology; self-employed tax obligations |
Specialty Registrar
£42,457/yr
£3,538/mo
Gross: £55,000 | Tax: £9,432 | NI: £3,111
NHS Consultant
£70,457/yr
£5,871/mo
Gross: £105,000 | Tax: £30,432 | NI: £4,111
Mixed NHS+Private
£91,014/yr
£7,585/mo
Gross: £140,000 | Tax: £44,175 | NI: £4,811
England income tax rates 2026/27. No pension salary sacrifice or student loan applied. Use the take-home pay calculator for a personalised figure.
| Stage | Gross/yr | Income Tax | NI | Net/yr | Net/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST1 Registrar | £52,000 | £8,232 | £3,051 | £40,717 | £3,393/mo |
| ST4 Registrar | £68,000 | £14,632 | £3,371 | £49,997 | £4,166/mo |
| New Consultant | £105,000 | £30,432 | £4,111 | £70,457 | £5,871/mo |
| Senior Consultant | £125,000 | £42,432 | £4,511 | £78,057 | £6,505/mo |
| Mixed Practice | £150,000 | £53,703 | £5,011 | £91,286 | £7,607/mo |
Auto-enrolment minimum: 5% employee + 3% employer on qualifying earnings (£6,240--£50,270). Salary sacrifice pensions reduce taxable income and save NI. NHS pension contributions are higher (up to 12.5%) but build a valuable defined benefit pension.
| Gross | Employee (5%) | Employer (3%) | Net After Pension |
|---|---|---|---|
| £55,000 | £2,750 | £1,650 | £40,862/yr |
| £105,000 | £5,250 | £3,150 | £68,412/yr |
| £140,000 | £7,000 | £4,200 | £82,276/yr |
All NHS radiologists are enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme 2015, a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) defined benefit scheme. Pension accrues at 1/54th of pensionable pay each year, revalued annually by CPI. Employee contributions are tiered from 5.2% (on earnings up to £13,246) to 12.5% (on earnings above £72,030). Employer contributions are 23.7% of pay. The NHS pension is exceptionally valuable compared to typical defined contribution schemes in the private sector, and should be a significant factor in any comparison with private sector roles.
The Royal College of Radiologists' 2023 workforce census reported a shortfall of over 1,900 clinical radiologists in the UK, with a further shortfall projected as imaging demand grows. This shortage has driven significant locum market activity, with some NHS trusts paying £150--£200 per hour for out-of-hours radiology cover. It has also fuelled growth in teleradiology, where radiologists report cases remotely, sometimes working for multiple hospitals simultaneously.
Private radiology income is typically self-employed for tax purposes, either through a personal service company or as a sole trader. Radiologists earning over the VAT registration threshold (£90,000 from April 2024) must register for VAT, though healthcare services are generally VAT-exempt when provided by a registered practitioner. Consultant radiologists with significant private income may benefit from incorporating, particularly when combined with pension planning to mitigate the 60% effective marginal rate between £100,000 and £125,140.
Subspecialty training in interventional radiology (IR) is particularly valued both in the NHS and private sector. IR consultants perform procedures including vascular embolisation, tumour ablation, and central line placement, commanding higher private fees than diagnostic-only radiologists. Other well-remunerated subspecialties include neuroradiology (especially in major neuroscience centres) and breast imaging in the NHS Breast Screening Programme.
