NHS Consultant
Pay Scales 2026/27
Rules last checked
Basic pay, full time, 2026/27
Annual basic pay for a full-time consultant post from 1 April 2026, by years completed as a consultant, on the Welsh scale (payroll codes ZM81, ZK81, ZL81 and ZC81). Pay moves through eight points: one a year to point 3, then longer steps to the top at point 7. Additional years of service can be awarded when agreed.
| Point | Years completed | Basic pay against the top point | Annual basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 0 | £114,099 | |
| 1 | 1 | £119,804 | |
| 2 | 2 | £125,509 | |
| 3 | 3 | £131,214 | |
| 4 | 4 to 8 | £140,342 | |
| 5 | 9 to 15 | £148,328 | |
| 6 | 16 to 22 | £157,457 | |
| 7 | 23 and over | £166,585 |
Welsh Government, circular M&D(W) 01/2026, Annex A section 1a.
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What is paid on top of basic
The Welsh consultant contract counts the week in sessions: a full-time job plan is 10 sessions, typically seven of direct clinical care and three of supporting professional activities, and part-time posts are paid pro rata. Out-of-hours work is recognised through an intensity supplement, and awards come on top. The circular prints the three below.
Intensity supplement
A yearly supplement for out-of-hours work, in three bands by intensity, detailed in the job plan.
| Band | Intensity | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Low intensity | £3,303 |
| Band 2 | Medium intensity | £6,600 |
| Band 3 | High intensity | £9,895 |
Welsh Government, circular M&D(W) 01/2026, Table 5.
Clinical excellence and clinical impact awards
The national Clinical Excellence Awards at levels 9 to 12, awarded by ACCEA, and the clinical impact awards N0 to N3, awarded by ACCIA. The circular leaves both unchanged for 2026/27.
| Award | Level | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Level 9 | £36,924 |
| Silver | Level 10 | £48,533 |
| Gold | Level 11 | £60,666 |
| Platinum | Level 12 | £78,866 |
| Clinical impact award | N0 | £10,500 |
| Clinical impact award | N1 | £21,000 |
| Clinical impact award | N2 | £31,500 |
| Clinical impact award | N3 | £42,000 |
Welsh Government, circular M&D(W) 01/2026, Tables 3 and 4.
Sources
- Welsh Government, pay circular M&D(W) 01/2026 Version 2, 2 April 2026, the consultant pay points by years completed, the intensity supplements and the awards, as issued to NHS Wales payroll.
- BMA, consultant model contract for Wales, the ten-session job plan, and on-call paid through the intensity supplement.
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