Complete guide to locum doctor pay rates in Northern Ireland for 2026. Assignment rates by grade band: FY2/SHO £50–£55/hr, Registrar/SAS £60–£70/hr, Consultant £100–£110/hr. FY1 on application.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Jawad Ahmad (GMC 7598530).
| Grade | Base rate (per hour) |
|---|---|
| Foundation Year 1 (FY1) | Rate on application |
| Foundation Year 2 (FY2) | £50–£55/hr assignment rate |
| Core Trainee (CT1-3) | £50–£55/hr assignment rate |
| Specialty Trainee (ST1-8) | £60–£70/hr assignment rate |
| Staff Grade | £60–£70/hr assignment rate |
| Associate Specialist | £100–£110/hr assignment rate |
| Specialty Doctor | £60–£70/hr assignment rate |
| Consultant | £100–£110/hr assignment rate |
Base rates are Grayscale Medical's standard locum rate card for Northern Ireland, aligned to the HSC (Health and Social Care) locum pay framework. Actual rates vary by trust, specialty, urgency and individual circumstances.
Estimate your take-home pay: use the locum doctor take-home pay calculator to work out your net pay after tax, National Insurance and pension.
Sources: rates are benchmarked against the Northern Ireland Department of Health (DoH) and HSC locum pay framework and the Medical & Dental agency price caps (effective March 2026), with reference to DDRB and BMA pay scales. Last reviewed: 2026.
Locum doctor pay in Northern Ireland is advertised as assignment rates — the all-inclusive hourly rate for the assignment — by grade band: FY2/SHO/CT1-2 £50–£55/hr, ST3+/Registrar/SAS £60–£70/hr, and Consultants £100–£110/hr. FY1 posts are priced on application.
Consultant assignment rates are the highest, typically £100–£110/hr, with the strongest demand in specialties such as Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics and Psychiatry.
Locum pay in Northern Ireland is shaped by the HSC (Health and Social Care) locum pay framework and the DoH Medical & Dental agency price caps (introduced March 2026). Grayscale Medical's rate card is aligned to this framework, with platform-enforced rates so doctors know what they will be paid before applying.
Your take-home pay is your gross earnings (hourly rate × hours) minus Income Tax, National Insurance and any pension or other deductions, which vary by IR35 status and engagement model. Use our locum take-home pay calculator to estimate your net pay.
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