Physician associate salary UK 2026/27
You are training as a physician associate, or thinking about the course, and want to know what the job pays now the role is changing. A qualified PA in England usually starts on Band 7: £49,387 in 2026/27, about £2,934 a month after tax and pension. Many trusts first employ newly qualified PAs on Band 6 for a preceptorship year.
PA pay from preceptorship to advanced role
England, full time on 37.5 hours, NHS Pension member, standard tax code, before shift pay.
| Stage | Band | Salary | Take-home a month | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly qualified PA, preceptorship Entry-level national profile, often for the first year | Band 6 | £39,959 | £2,430 | £20.44 |
| Qualified physician associate | Band 7 | £49,387 | £2,934 | £25.26 |
| PA with 5 years on Band 7 | Band 7 | £56,515 | £3,309 | £28.90 |
| Advanced or senior PA | Band 8a | £57,528 | £3,353 | £29.42 |
The NHS Employers national job profiles set two levels: an entry-level PA at Band 6 and a physician associate at Band 7. Whether you start on Band 6 or Band 7 depends on the trust. On Band 6 you earn £39,959, about £2,430 a month, so a Band 6 preceptorship costs you about £504 a month in take-home compared with starting on Band 7.
The Leng review recommended a recognised advanced level one Agenda for Change band higher, which means Band 8a, £57,528. Until national profiles for it are published, Band 8a PA posts are set locally and are uncommon.
What the Leng review means for the job
The independent Leng review, published in July 2025 and accepted in full by the government, recommended renaming physician associates as physician assistants. It also said they should not see undiagnosed patients except under clear national protocols, should have a named supervising doctor, and should spend at least two years in hospital work before moving into general practice. The formal change of title needs legislation, so you will still see both names on adverts for now.
The review did not change the pay bands. What it may change is which jobs are open to you, particularly in GP practices, and how quickly you can move into them. PAs also have to be registered with the General Medical Council by December 2026 to keep practising.
PA pay against a junior doctor
On basic pay, a qualified PA on Band 7 earns £8,161 more a year than a foundation year 1 doctor on £41,226, and £1,777 more than an FY2 on £47,610. The gap closes and reverses as doctors move into specialty training, and doctors earn more from rota and night pay. It has been a point of dispute between the BMA and the PA profession. The resident doctor salary page sets out doctors’ pay in full.
PAs in GP practices
PAs in general practice are often employed by a primary care network through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, usually on Agenda for Change terms. Practices employing PAs directly set their own pay, so check the offer for the NHS Pension, sick pay and annual rises, as you would for any job outside Agenda for Change.
PA pay per hour
| England 2026/27 | Basic | Night or Saturday (+30%) | Sunday or bank holiday (+60%) | Overtime (x1.5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 6 entry | £20.44 | £26.57 | £32.70 | £30.65 |
| Band 7 entry | £25.26 | £32.83 | £40.41 | £37.89 |
| Band 7 top | £28.90 | £37.57 | £46.24 | £43.35 |
| Band 8a entry | £29.42 | £38.25 | £47.07 | No overtime |
PAs on hospital wards often work on medical rotas, including weekends and evenings, paid at the enhanced rates above.
PA pay in each UK nation
| Nation | Band 6 | Band 7 |
|---|---|---|
| England 37.5-hour week | £39,959 to £48,117 £2,430 a month at entry | £49,387 to £56,515 £2,934 a month at entry |
| Scotland 36-hour week | £43,231 to £52,679 £2,600 a month at entry | £52,845 to £61,466 £3,032 a month at entry |
| Wales 37.5-hour week | £40,559 to £48,841 £2,462 a month at entry | £50,129 to £57,365 £2,974 a month at entry |
| Northern Ireland 37.5-hour week | £38,682 to £46,580 £2,356 a month at entry | £47,810 to £54,710 £2,843 a month at entry |
Scotland pays most and has a 36-hour week. Northern Ireland figures are 2025/26 rates while the 2026/27 award waits for approval.
Is it worth training as a PA now?
The pay is good from the start: about £2,934 a month at Band 7, rising to about £3,309 after five years. The risk is in the jobs, not the pay. Check how trusts near you are recruiting after the Leng review, and whether your course leads straight to GMC registration, before you commit to two years of study.
Common questions
What band is a physician associate?
Band 7 once qualified, £49,387 to £56,515 in England in 2026/27. Many trusts employ newly qualified PAs on Band 6 for a preceptorship year first.
Are physician associates now called physician assistants?
The government accepted the Leng review recommendation to rename them physician assistants. The formal change needs legislation, so both titles are in use.
Did the Leng review change PA pay?
No. Pay bands stay the same. The review recommended an advanced PA level one band higher, which would be Band 8a, and changes to scope and supervision.
Do physician associates earn more than junior doctors?
On basic pay, a Band 7 PA earns more than an FY1 doctor (£41,226) and an FY2 doctor (£47,610). Doctors overtake PAs once they reach specialty training, and earn extra for rota and night work.
Do physician associates need to register with the GMC?
Yes. The GMC began regulating PAs in December 2024, and they must be registered by December 2026 to keep practising.