For Indian medical graduates planning a career in the UK, Clinical Radiology is currently among the highest-paid specialities, with earnings driven by a significant national shortage.
The reason for this earning potential is straightforward: the UK faces a severe workforce gap. The Royal College of Radiologists reports an estimated 30% shortfall of consultant clinical radiologists across the NHS, a gap projected to widen further in the coming years. This shortage compels hospitals to advertise high-paying specialist roles to secure qualified candidates
For 2025-26, consultant radiologist jobs typically start at around £109,000 per year (about ₹1.28 crore), and can be higher in shortage regions or advanced specialities such as interventional radiology.
This guide breaks down the average radiologist salary in UK, how pay scales progress within the NHS, and what internationally trained radiologists from India should realistically expect before they reach consultant level.
What do Radiologists do?
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Radiologists are medical doctors who use imaging to detect, diagnose, and sometimes treat disease. They work with technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, and fluoroscopy, and are trained to interpret results precisely to support clinical decision-making.
Radiology includes different specialist roles:
- Diagnostic Radiologists interpret imaging studies to identify conditions such as fractures, infections, stroke, and cancer.
- Interventional Radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures like angioplasty, biopsies, and image-guided tumour treatments using real-time imaging.
- Radiation Oncologists use targeted radiation to treat cancers while minimising damage to surrounding tissues.
Radiologists collaborate constantly with surgeons, physicians, and emergency teams, playing a key role in early diagnosis and treatment planning across the NHS.
Radiologist Salary in UK Based on the Cities
Here’s a closer look at how location affects the average radiologist salary in UK. Salaries vary considerably by city, hospital trust, seniority, and whether the role includes on-call or private work.
Average Radiologist Salary in UK Based on Cities
Location significantly impacts pay. High-demand areas or those with acute shortages often offer higher packages. Salaries vary considerably by city, hospital trust, and seniority. Note that the lower salaries listed below likely reflect Speciality Trainee (Junior-Level) pay, which is separate from the much higher Consultant wages.
| UK City | Average Annual Salary (£/Year) | Equivalent INR (₹/Year) |
|---|---|---|
| London | £82,504 | ₹96,79,158 |
| Salford | £94,724 | ₹1,11,30,553 |
| Prescott | £95,355 | ₹1,12,04,397 |
| Glasgow | £57,931 | ₹68,04,917 |
| Liverpool | £52,079 | ₹61,16,846 |
| Leeds | £27,528 | ₹32,33,353 |
| Nottingham | £35,236 | ₹41,39,136 |
Important Note for Indian graduates
The lower salary range in each city applies to radiologists who are still completing specialty training under the NHS. Consultant salaries are significantly higher once training and GMC specialist registration are completed.
Radiologist Salary in UK Based on Skills and Specialisation
Specialised skills are key to securing a high average radiologist salary in UK. While general clinical radiology pays well, choosing special areas like CT or MRI can directly affect how much you earn. Procedures that need extra, intense training, such as Interventional Radiology, also keep pay high.
| Skill/Speciality | Average Annual Salary (£/Year) | Equivalent INR (₹/Year) (£1 = ₹117.46) |
|---|---|---|
| Skill/Speciality | Average Annual Salary (£/Year) | Equivalent INR (₹/Year) (£1 = ₹117.46) |
| General Clinical Radiology | £100,000 | ₹1,17,46,000 |
| Computed Tomography (CT) | £94,500 | ₹1,11,04,470 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | £88,244 | ₹1,03,63,618 |
| Interventional Radiology | £79,000 | ₹92,79,340 |
Notes:
- Specialised skills such as CT, MRI, and Interventional Radiology lead to higher earnings due to advanced training requirements.
- INR values are calculated using £1 = ₹117.46 and rounded for readability.
Average Radiologist Salary in UK offered by Top Employers
The NHS sets the pay standards across the country, but other top employers, like university hospitals and private medical groups, offer similar salaries. The overall pay is strong, but note that salary ranges often show the difference between junior trainees and more experienced staff.
| Employer | Average Annual Salary (£/Year) | Equivalent INR (₹/Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge University Hospital | £100,490 | ₹1,18,04,805 |
| NHS (Overall Average) | £97,286 | ₹1,14,29,584 |
| Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust | £95,912 | ₹1,12,70,305 |
| Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | £25,655 to £31,534 | ₹30,12,698 to ₹37,04,367 |
| Medical Imaging Partnership Ltd, Weybridge | £40,000 to £45,000 | ₹46,98,400 to ₹52,85,700 |
Notes:
• Salary ranges reflect differences between junior trainees and experienced consultants.
• INR conversion uses £1 = ₹117.46, rounded neatly for student-friendly clarity.
• Private medical partnerships may include performance-based earnings.
Radiologist Salary in UK based on Experience
The single most important factor for the average radiologist salary in UK is career progression, especially reaching the Consultant level.
- Junior-Level Experience (Speciality Trainee): Radiologists undergoing specialist training earn an NHS salary between £38,694 (₹45,46,311) and £49,036 (₹57,63,892) per year. Staff grade doctors can earn up to £76,751 (₹90,16,108).
- Mid-Level Experience (Newly Qualified): A newly qualified radiologist typically starts on an average salary of £82,096 (₹96,44,792).
- Senior-Level Experience (Consultant): The guaranteed income floor for a starting Consultant is £109,725 (₹1,29,00,107), with experienced senior radiologists earning up to £110,683 (₹1,30,15,488). This basic pay can progress up to £145,478 (₹1,70,89,881) over 14 years.
Conclusion
Even with rapid advances in imaging technologies like CT, MRI, and other imaging technologies , the UK continues to face a major shortage of qualified radiologists. Since imaging volumes are increasing every year while the workforce hasn't kept pace, this gap is one of the key reasons the average radiologist salary in UK remains strong for 2025–26, especially at the consultant level.
If you’re an Indian medical graduate planning to study in the UK for specialist training, it’s important to understand the steps, exams and timelines before securing a radiology role. Ready to secure your role as a UK Consultant? Map your complete pathway with a LeapScholar expert today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What skills are required to be a radiologist?
Ans. Radiologists must be trained in diagnostic imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, and fluoroscopic procedures. Skills in radiation protection, diagnostic radiography procedures, and the use of hospital information systems are essential. Strong analytical ability is also required to interpret scans accurately and support clinical decisions.
Q. How to become a radiologist in the UK?
Ans. To build a radiology career in the UK, you must complete a medical degree approved by the General Medical Council (GMC). After this, you apply for GMC registration, complete Foundation Training, and then enter Speciality Training in Clinical Radiology. You must pass the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) exams and obtain a CCT before applying for consultant radiologist roles.
Q. What are the best institutions in the UK to study radiology?
Ans. Well-known universities offering strong pathways toward radiology include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- University College London
Q. What is the average salary for a radiologist in the UK?
Ans. The average salary is £75,680 per year (₹88,86,222)
Trainee doctors earn £38,694 to £49,036 (₹45,46,908 to ₹57,59,469) and consultants earn £109,725 to £145,478 (₹1,28,85,572 to ₹1,70,87,959) annually.
Q. Can a radiologist earn ₹10 lakh per month in the UK?
Ans. Yes. A consultant’s starting salary of £109,725 per year (₹1,28,85,572) comes to about ₹10.7 lakh per month, before extra sessions and private reporting.
Q. Which country pays radiologists the highest salary?
Ans. The United States. Radiologists generally earn $350,000 - $500,000 (₹3,12,23,500 - ₹4,46,05,000) per year, which is higher than in the UK and other major destinations like Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.
Q. Is radiology in demand in the UK?
Ans. Yes. The NHS has a significant radiologist shortage, so job opportunities, salaries, and career progression remain strong.
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