There is no denying that locum work is well paid for doctors pursuing locum GP shifts, and this holds true in the bustling city of London. Locum doctors in London have the opportunity to earn a significant income due to the high demand for medical professionals in the capital. With its vast network of hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions, London offers a wide range of locum job opportunities, each with its own earning potential. The city's competitive healthcare market and higher cost of living contribute to the generally higher rates of pay for locum doctors in London. Therefore, if you're considering locum work in London, it's important to understand the earning potential and factors that can impact your income in this dynamic and thriving healthcare environment.
On average in the UK, locum doctors can expect to earn anywhere from £46,000 if they are just starting out all the way up to as high as £88,000 depending on experience. The average salary for a locum doctor is roughly around £57,627 which works out at £29.55 an hour, which isn’t bad at all.
If you can negotiate a high hourly rate, locum work can pull you in at a considerably decent salary. In London, these rates will be much higher again due to the higher rate of pay in London and the surrounding area.
The typical hourly rates for a locum doctor are listed below so you can get a good idea of how much you could earn based on the hours you work and your experience.
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
| Foundation Level – Newly Qualified | £30 - £75 |
| Speciality Doctor | £45 - £85 |
| Consultant | £100 |
Can I Earn More Than a Full-Time Doctor?
There is lots of debate over whether or not you can earn more as a locum doctor than a full-time salaried doctor. Whilst generally starting out as a locum doctor you will likely out earn other full-time doctors provided you are able to find and secure regular work, at the higher end of the locum salary it is actually not much different to that of a full-time consultant.
You also have to remember that as a locum doctor, you will not receive any sick pay or paid bank holidays so these must be factored into your expected earnings.
It is still possible to earn more than full-time doctors working as a locum, there are just many factors to take into consideration such as travel expenses, working hours and how often you can find regular work.
Should I Become a Locum Doctor in London?
Not only is it possible to earn a very high locum GP salary in London, but there is also the added advantage that there are lots of hospitals, meaning there is a much greater chance that locum work will be readily available. Having regular work as a locum helps to secure regular pay which is a challenge that many locum doctors often struggle with, especially in more rural or less built-up areas.
Becoming a locum doctor in London would have many advantages like travelling between hospitals would be relatively easy and being able to find work easily, however, it is worth carrying out adequate research to see if working as a locum doctor is right for you. Being a locum doctor is incredibly challenging, but rewarding.
If you are looking to switch to locum work, get in touch with us today!
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