A guide to NHS Wales doctor pay scales
If you’re looking for information about NHS doctors’ salaries in Wales, we’ve got you covered. Learn how salaries are calculated for junior doctors, specialty doctors and consultants, using pay scales and additional allowances for NHS Wales.
For more information about other NHS pay scales, you can view our guides on NHS consultant pay scale in England, Junior doctors pay scales in England and NHS pay scales for doctors in England.
Junior doctor salary in Wales
The junior doctor salary in Wales is based on basic pay scales for doctors in training ranging from £28,471 for foundation year one and can progress up to £59,336 for specialty registrars. These pay scales are based on a 40-hour work week.
| Years of experience | FY1 (£) | FY2 (£) | Speciality registrar (£) |
| <1 | 28,471 | 35,315 | 37,737 |
| 1 | 30,249 | 37,625 | 40,044 |
| 2 | 32,028 | 39,933 | 43,270 |
| 3 | 45,222 | ||
| 4 | 47,571 | ||
| 5 | 49,925 | ||
| 6 | 52,277 | ||
| 7 | 54,630 | ||
| 8 | 56,981 | ||
| 9 | 59,336 |
Whilst England began implementing a new junior doctor contract in 2016, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland continue to apply the old 2002 contract. Basic pay in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland increases in small increments at the end of each year of training which means you will receive a salary increase even if it takes you longer to complete your grade of training than expected.
In Wales, the total junior doctor salary is calculated using the basic salary and banding. Banding recognises the work which is undertaken over and above 40 hours and the frequency of working unsocial hours (7 pm-7 am, nights and weekends).
| Band | Avg. number & nature of hours | Increase |
| 3 | >56 hours/week or not achieving the required rest | 100% |
| 2A | 48–56 hours/week, most antisocially | 80% |
| 2B | 48–56 hours/week, least antisocially | 50% |
| 1A | 40–48 hours/week, most antisocially | 50% |
| 1B | 40–48 hours/week, moderately antisocially | 40% |
| 1C | 40–48 hours/week, least antisocially | 20% |
| No band | No more than 40 hours/week on average | Basic pay |
What is the pay scale for ST1 in Wales?
ST1 doctors in Wales will earn a minimum basic pay of £37,737 on the 2002 contract and 2023/2024 pay scale. The complete salary can be calculated with the basic pay and banding which can be determined using the table above.
NHS Wales consultant pay scale
NHS consultants earn between £91,722 and £119,079 a year. The NHS Wales consultant pay scale is based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week. Each PA is equivalent to 4 hours and additional PAs are calculated as 10% of basic salary.
| Consultant pay scale (2003) | |
| Years of experience | Value (£) |
| Minimum | 91,722 |
| 1 | 94,644 |
| 2 | 99,529 |
| 3 | 105,201 |
| 4 | 111,682 |
| 5 | 115,377 |
| 6 | 119,079 |
Do NHS consultants get bonuses?
Consultants are eligible for award schemes rather than bonuses. If they are successful in receiving the award, they will receive an additional payment on top of their basic salary. NHS consultants in Wales are eligible for Local Clinical Excellence Awards (LCEAs), National Clinical Impact Award scheme (NCIAs) and Commitment awards.
| Local Clinical Excellence Awards (LCEAs) | |
| Level | Value (£) |
| 9 (Bronze) | 36,924 |
| 10 (Silver) | 48,433 |
| 11 (Gold) | 60,666 |
| 12 (Platinum) | 78,866 |
| National Clinical Impact Awards (NCIAs) | |
| Level | Value (£) |
| 0 | 10,000 |
| 1 | 20,000 |
| 2 | 30,000 |
| 3 | 40,000 |
Once a consultant has completed three years of service at the top of the consultant pay scale, they will automatically receive commitment awards. Each level is worth an amount annually which is permanent and paid every year. After level one, the consultant will be eligible for the next level at three-year intervals. The only situation where an eligible consultant in Wales wouldn’t receive a commitment award payment is if they receive an unsatisfactory job plan review. In this rare event, the consultant can appeal.
| Commitment Awards | ||
| Years completed as a consultant | Level | Value (£) |
| 10 | 1 | 3,334 |
| 13 | 2 | 6,668 |
| 16 | 3 | 10,002 |
| 19 | 4 | 13,336 |
| 22 | 5 | 16,670 |
| 25 | 6 | 20,004 |
| 28 | 7 | 23,338 |
| 31 | 8 | 26,672 |
Specialist and specialty doctor pay scales in Wales
Specialty doctors earn between £52,542 and £82,418 a year. Specialist doctors earn between £83,963 and £95,296 a year. The NHS Wales specialty doctor and specialist pay scale is based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week. Each PAs is equivalent to 4 hours and additional PAs are calculated as 10% of basic salary.
| Speciality doctor pay scale | |
| Scale | Value (£) |
| Minimum | 52,542 |
| 1 | 60,532 |
| 2 | 60,532 |
| 3 | 67,480 |
| 4 | 74,691 |
| 5 | 82,418 |
| 6 | 82,418 |
Specialists pay scale | |
| Scale | Value (£) |
| Minimum | 83,963 |
| 1 | 89,630 |
| 2 | 95,296 |
Working as a doctor in Wales with Pulse
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This article was originally written in February 2024 and relates to the NHS consultant pay scales for 2023/2024. Pay scales are updated annually and this article will be updated again when the 2024/2025 NHS consultant pay scales are announced.
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