Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
NHS figures show more than 6,000 consultants earn at least £200,000
NHS figures suggest more than 6,000 consultants earn at least £200,000 a year, roughly one in ten of the 66,759 consultants working in the health service.
The figures show that the highest-paid 5 per cent averaged £223,518 in the 12 months to April, while the next 5 per cent averaged £203,810.
The British Medical Association is seeking a further £16,000 pay rise for consultants and a five-hour reduction in their working week, after rejecting the Government’s proposed 2.4 per cent increase.
BMA members have called a 48-hour strike for November 25 and 26, with further action possible until at least next summer if there is no agreement.
Hospitals will keep emergency cover during the walkouts, using staffing arrangements similar to those on Christmas Day.
The Government has criticised the planned winter strikes, while the BMA says consultant pay has fallen by 25 per cent in real terms over 17 years; the next step depends on whether the sides reach a deal.
Official figures cited by the Daily Mail indicate that more than 6,000 NHS consultants earn at least £200,000 a year.
The top 5 per cent of consultants earned an average of £223,518 in the 12 months to April.
The figures were shared with the pay review body, which will advise the Government on consultants’ pay for next year.
The BMA is demanding a further pay rise and shorter working hours, and has called a 48-hour strike for November 25 and 26.
Government ministers and critics have urged the union to call off the winter strikes.
- Who
- NHS consultants, the BMA and the Government.
- What
- Official figures indicate that more than 6,000 consultants earn at least £200,000 a year. The BMA has called a 48-hour strike over pay and working conditions.
- When
- The figures cover the 12 months to April. The strike is scheduled for November 25 and 26; the article was published on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- The NHS in England.
- Why
- The BMA is seeking a further pay rise and a shorter working week, saying consultants’ pay has fallen in real terms. Critics say the demands are unjustified and warn that strikes would disrupt services.
The BMA
Government ministers and critics of the strikes
Consultants’ pay
The BMA
The BMA says consultant pay has fallen substantially in real terms and points to pressures on the job.
Government ministers and critics of the strikes
Critics cite high consultant earnings and argue further pay demands are unjustified.
Industrial action
The BMA
The BMA has called strikes while seeking changes to pay and working conditions.
Government ministers and critics of the strikes
Ministers and other critics say winter strikes would be irresponsible and disruptive, and have called for them to be cancelled.
The figures report average earnings for the highest-paid consultant groups over this period.
NHS England shared the data with the Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration pay review body.
The BMA announced a new wave of strike action.
Consultants are scheduled to strike for 48 hours.
- NHS consultants
- Around 66,759
- Top 5 per cent average earnings
- £223,518
- Next 5 per cent average earnings
- £203,810
- Consultants earning at least £200,000
- More than 6,000, according to the article
- Scheduled strike
- November 25 and 26, for 48 hours
- BMA ballot
- 13,695 voted for strikes out of 18,069 who voted
What people are saying
Taxpayers are sick to the back teeth of NHS consultants whinging about pay while taking home six-figure pay packets most people could only dream of.
very disappointing
it's a very small proportion of consultants earning these sums
Looking at extreme outliers distracts from the fact that consultant pay has fallen hugely in real terms against inflation over the last decade and more, and that without addressing this and the excessive pressures of the job, we will lose our most expert doctors from the NHS when patients need them most.