Foreign Doctor Salary in the UK: PLAB Route, Pay Bands & Career Growth

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Created On : Jul 07, 2025 Updated On : Jul 07, 2025 4 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Discover how the PLAB exams open the door for international doctors to work in the UK.
  • Learn how NHS pay bands and allowances affect your salary.
  • Understand the clear career path from foundation training to becoming a consultant.
  • See how factors like specialty, work hours, and location influence your earning potential and opportunities.

Moving to the United Kingdom is a dream for many doctors. To make that dream true the first thing you have to do is clear the PLAB exams. Even after passing the exam one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is: how much will I actually earn in the UK?

The truth is, NHS salaries can be a bit tricky to understand at first. There are different pay bands, night shift allowances, London weightings, and more. Plus, your pay can vary depending on where you work and how far you’ve progressed in your career.

In this blog, we will break down all you need to know about the salary for foreign doctors on the PLAB route, explain the NHS pay bands, and show you how your career can grow in the UK healthcare system.

What Is the PLAB?

PLAB stands for Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board. It is a licensing exam for international medical graduates (IMGs) to work as registered doctors in the UK.

It consists of:

  • PLAB 1 – A written exam (MCQs) assessing clinical knowledge.
  • PLAB 2 – An OSCE-style practical exam assessing communication and clinical skills.

Need help in passing the PLAB exams? Join Academically’s PLAB Preparation Course. You will get live and recorded lectures, study materials, AI-based mock tests, personalised guidance and much more.

 

 

Once you pass both PLAB exams, you’re almost there. You will also need to meet the GMC’s requirements for internship and English language. That means passing either IELTS or OET. Once that’s done, you can apply for GMC registration. After that, it’s time to start looking for jobs, usually at Foundation Year 1 (FY1) or Foundation Year 2 (FY2) level.

NHS Pay Structure for Doctors in the UK

Doctor salaries in the UK are determined by the NHS pay scale. It increases with seniority, specialty, and experience.

PositionBase Salary (GBP/year)In Indian Rupees (INR)Typical for PLAB IMGs?
Foundation Year 1 (FY1)£32,000 – £34,000₹34–36 lakhsYes
Foundation Year 2 (FY2)£37,000 – £38,500₹39–41 lakhsYes
Specialty Training (ST1–2)£43,000 – £47,000₹45–51 lakhsWith Training
ST3+ (Senior Registrar)£50,000 – £60,000₹53–65 lakhsLater
Consultant£93,000 – £113,000+₹1.01 – 1.23 crore+Long-Term Goal
General Practitioner (GP)£70,000 – £110,000+₹76 lakhs – 1.2 croreOptional Path

What Are NHS Pay Bands?

In the NHS, pay bands (or banding supplements) are additional payments on top of your basic salary. These are based on extra hours, workload, and how far it is.

These are often called “banding” supplements, and they can increase your salary by 20–50% or more, depending on the rota.

Key Elements That Affect Banding:

  • Band 1A / 1B / 1C (older system): You can easily find these in the 2016 contract reforms for junior doctors in England. Some Trusts may still refer to these in informal terms.
    • Band 1A: ~50% salary uplift
    • Band 1B: ~40%
    • Band 1C: ~20%

(These are less commonly used now under the 2016 contract.)

  • London Weighting: Extra £2,000–£3,000/year for working in London.
    • Known officially as the London supplement.
    • Applied on top of base pay and banding.
  • Rota Intensity: It increases based on your working schedule. If you have worked fo rmore hours then, the salary would increase.

Still not sure how this works?

 

What’s the Salary After PLAB?

Let’s break it down practically.

FY1 Doctor (Post-PLAB)

  • Base Pay: £2,600–£2,900/month
  • With Banding & Night Shifts: Up to £3,500/month

FY2 Doctor

  • Base Pay: £3,100–£3,300/month
  • With Extras: £4,000–£4,500/month

Also Read: Doctor Salary in Dubai

Career Growth Opportunities After PLAB

Foreign doctors in the UK can move up the ladder with time and training. Here’s a simplified roadmap:

Step 1: Foundation Training (FY1–FY2)

  • Entry point for most PLAB candidates
  • Build UK clinical experience

Step 2: Specialty Training (ST1–ST8)

  • Competitive entry (after FY2)
  • Salaries increase with each stage

Step 3: Become a Consultant

  • Takes 6–8 years from FY1
  • Salaries range from £93,000 to £113,000+
  • Can work in private sector for extra income

Alternative: General Practice

  • 3-year GP training
  • Work independently
  • Earn £70,000–£110,000+

What affects the salary of a doctor in the UK?

Here’s what affects how much you’ll actually take home:

  • Location: London means more pay, but higher costs
  • Branch/Specialisation: Surgery, Radiology, Psychiatry often have higher salaries
  • Rota Pattern: More night/weekend shifts means more income
  • Experience: More UK/NHS experience means faster promotions
  • Locum Work: Additional flexible shifts that can significantly boost earnings

Is the PLAB Route Worth It?

Yes, the PLAB route is worth your time, money and effort.

Here’s why: 

  •  Free healthcare
  •  Stable income
  •  Strong work-life balance
  •  Clear, structured career growth
  •  Opportunities in public + private sector

Do you have more questions about PLAB and salaries of an overseas doctor in the UK?

 

FAQs

Q- What is the starting salary for foreign doctors in the UK?

A- The starting salary for foreign doctors can go around £32,000–£34,000/year for FY1 roles. With allowances, this can go higher.

Q- How much can PLAB doctors earn with night shifts and overtime?

A- FY2 doctors can earn £42,000–£48,000+ annually with full banding and rota supplements.

Q- Can I start as a specialist right after PLAB?

A- No. You’ll usually begin in FY1/FY2 roles, then enter training or gain UK experience before advancing.

Q- Is locum work an option for foreign doctors?

A- Yes. Once you’re GMC-registered and have NHS experience, locum jobs offer high hourly pay and flexibility.

Q- Do I need IELTS or OET before PLAB?

A- Yes. You must prove English proficiency with IELTS (7.5 overall) or OET (Grade B) to sit for PLAB.
Dr. Indu K
about the author

Dr. Indu K is a dentist with one year of clinical experience. She seamlessly transitioned into content writing three years ago. Her passion lies in making complex medical information accessible to everyone. She uses her unique blend of medical knowledge and exceptional writing skills to bridge the gap between healthcare and the general audience.