GP Salary Trends UK 2026/27 National Benchmarks for Competitive Recruitment
UK GP salaries are shaped by the latest DDRB recommendations and contract uplifts, helping practices across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland attract top talent amid ongoing shortages. With a 2.5% assumed uplift for 2026/27 in England, national pay ranges now emphasise competitive session rates and incentives to support work-life balance.
Core Pay Updates Across Nations
England leads with a 4% DDRB uplift for 2025/26 (on top of prior assumptions), pushing BMA recommended salaried GP ranges to £87,000 to £128,000 FTE entering 2026/27. Scotland and Wales mirror this via devolved contracts with similar uplifts (3 to 4%), while Northern Ireland aligns closely but lags slightly on implementation.
- England: £11,000 to £12,500/session pro-rata (6 to 8 sessions).
- Scotland: £105,000 to £125,000 FTE, with higher rural premiums.
- Wales/NI: £100,000 to £120,000, tied to GMS contract adjustments.
ARRS-funded roles cap reimbursements near £140k to £150k including on costs UK wide, setting a practical ceiling for PCN hires.
National Session Rate Benchmarks (2026/27)
Experience Level |
Sessions/Week |
England FTE Salary |
Scotland/Wales/NI FTE |
Per Session (All Nations) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly Qualified | 4 to 6 | £85k to £100k | £90k to £105k | £9,500 to £11,000 |
| Mid-Level | 6 to 8 | £105k to £120k | £100k to £118k | £11,000 to £12,000 |
| Senior/Trainer | 6 to 9 | £120k to £140k+ | £115k to £135k | £11,500 to £13,500 |
Factors Driving UK-Wide Competition
High-achieving practices (strong QOF/CQC, EMIS Web, MDTs with ANPs/pharmacists) offer 15-min appts, minimal visits, 6 weeks' leave, and protected breaks to justify top rates. BMA data shows roles above these benchmarks fill 20 to 30% faster, especially in underserved regions.
Optimising Job Ads for National Reach
Use precise keywords like 'Salaried GP £11k+/session DOE' in headings, list incentives early, and reference DDRB/BMA ranges for credibility on NHS Jobs, Work.Healthcare, RCGP Jobs, and specialist boards. Tailor regional premiums (e.g. rural uplifts in Scotland/Wales) to boost algorithmic visibility and applications.
Action for Practices
Benchmark your offers against these 2026/27 figures to stay competitive. Work.Healthcare can optimise your ads or build custom salary models contact us to enhance your recruitment edge.
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