Average Radiologist Salary in the UK: Overview, Scope & Benefits

6 min read

The UK has a robust healthcare system. According to the World Population Review, the UK ranks as the 10th country in the world with the best healthcare. The average salary range of healthcare professionals like physicians, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialized doctors in the UK is higher than in the majority of other countries. However, with the average Radiologist salary in the UK being high, it is surprising to see a shortage of them in the country.

Currently, there is a shortage of 1,939 consultant radiologists in the UK, which means there is a 33% shortage in the healthcare workforce. It is also anticipated that there will be 3,600 unfulfilled radiologist jobs in the UK. Also, one out of ten consultant radiologist positions in UK hospitals is vacant. Moreover, nearly 45% of the trusts and health boards in the UK are unable to provide 24/7 interventional radiology services to the patients because 364 full-time interventional radiology positions are still vacant. These statistics show that there is a huge scope for job opportunities and career growth as a radiologist in the UK.

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What do Radiologists do?

Radiologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing diseases through radiology. They are skilled in using medical procedures like MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans. In addition to this, radiologists also do ultrasound and angiography to diagnose diseases. Radiologists also perform different types of activities like interventional procedures based on their specialty level and years of experience.

For instance, diagnostic radiologists use scanning equipment, analyze reports and diagnose diseases like cancer. Interventional radiologists use medical imaging equipment and suggest treatments for minimal surgical procedures. Radiation oncologists are doctors that specialize in providing radiation therapies to patients for cancer treatment.

Radiologist Salary in the UK

According to PayScale, the average radiologist in the UK is £75,949 per year, which includes a base salary of £20k-£266k and a bonus between £2k-£10k. Radiologists in the UK can earn within the bracket of £20k-£388k per year. However, the salary depends on various important factors like experience, skill, qualification, location, and more. Here is detailed information about the radiologist salary in the UK.

  • Radiologist salary in UK based on the cities:

London:- London is one of the most popular cities in the UK where you can find well-paying jobs. A radiologist in London can earn within a range of £23k-£325k per year, which includes a base salary of between £21k-£388k and a £0-£55k bonus. However, the average salary is £82,504 per year.

Salford:- The average base salary for radiologists in Salford is £94,724 per year.

Prescott:- The average base salary for radiologists in Prescott is £95,355 per year. Radiologist salaries in Prescott are higher than in other neighboring cities.

Glasgow:- Another city in the UK where you can find high-paying jobs is Glasgow, Scotland. The average salary for radiologists in Glasgow is £57,931 annually.

Liverpool:- The average base salary of a radiologist in Liverpool is £52,079 per year.

Leeds:- The average base radiologist salary in Leeds is £27,528 per year. 

Nottingham:- In Nottingham, the average base radiologist salary is £35,236 per year.

  • Radiologist salary in the UK based on skills:

In addition to the location, the major deciding factor for radiologist salary in the UK is skills.

Radiology:- Average salary in the UK for professionals who are skilled in Radiology is £100,000 per year. The base salary is up to £397k per year, and the annual bonus range is £0-£10k. The total pay scale, including the base salary and bonus, can be up to £417k per year.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):- One of the most preferred skills in radiologists in the UK is MRI. If you have knowledge of MRI, you can earn an average salary of £88,244 per year in the UK. The base salary is up to £268k per year, and the annual bonus can go up to £10k. Therefore, the total pay range for professionals with MRI skills is between £10k to £268k per year.

Computed Tomography (CT):- Another most in-demand skill for radiologists in the UK that can help you get a high annual package is CT. The average radiologist salary in the UK for professionals who have this skill is £94,500 per year. The annual base salary range is £87k-£254k, and the total pay range can vary between £87k-£254k per year.

Interventional Radiology:- The average radiologist salary in the UK for professionals with interventional radiology skills is £79,000 per year. The upper range for a bonus in the majority of the cases is £10k. Therefore, the total annual pay scale can go up to £88k.

  • Average Radiologist salary in the UK offered by top employers:

NHS:- Average salary at NHS is £97,286 per year.

Cambridge University Hospital:- Average salary at Cambridge University Hospital is £100,490 per year.

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust:- Average salary at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is £95,912 per year.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:- Average salary at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is £25,655 to £31,534 a year per annum.

Medical Imaging Partnership Ltd, Weybridge:- Average salary at Medical Imaging Partnership Ltd, Weybridge is £40,000 to £45,000 per year

  • Radiologist salary in the UK based on experience:

Junior-level experience:- The average salary for radiologists undergoing specialist training in the UK is between £38,694 and £49,036 per year, whereas staff grade doctors earn between £41,158 to £76,751 per year.

Mid-level experience:- The average radiologist salary in the UK for newly qualified radiologists is £82,096.

Senior-level experience:- Radiologists at a senior level in the UK with decades of experience earn up to £110,683 per year.

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Conclusion

Even though modern medicine and health infrastructures are developing and becoming more robust, new diseases are also being discovered. This has created a huge demand for trained doctors to diagnose and treat diseases effectively. Radiology plays a crucial role in the correct diagnosis of diseases through X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and angiography.

So, the demand for skilled radiologists in the world is also rapidly increasing. The UK is one of the top countries that offer high-paying jobs to radiologists. You can earn £75,949 on average salary per year. To earn a higher paying package, you can acquire several new skills and pursue a career in radiologic technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills are required to be a radiologist?

If you plan to pursue a career in radiology in the UK, you need to have relevant skills and qualifications. Some of the most popular skills for radiologists include:
1.Diagnostic imaging
2.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
3.Computerised tomography (CT) scans
4.Ultrasounds
5.X-rays
6.Radiation protection
7.Diagnostic radiography procedures
8.Fluoroscopic portal procedures
9.TDS order entry
10.Complete diagnostic radiographic procedures
11.RMS hospital information system
12.Radiation protection
In addition to the above practical skills, radiologists also need to acquire analytical skills to interpret reports and suggest treatments to patients.

How to become a radiologist in the UK?

There are plenty of radiologists jobs in the UK. However, you will first have to complete a medical degree to become a radiologist in the UK. It is better to pursue a medical degree course accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC). This will ensure that you receive a quality education. You have the option to pursue a five or six-year medical program or a four-year accelerated program after your graduation.
After you get your medical degree, you have to apply for provisional registration with GMC and enroll in a foundation training programme. The next step is to participate in specialty training for radiology and clear the Royal College of Radiologists examination. You can apply for clinical radiologist jobs after you get the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

What are the best institutions in the UK to study radiology?

According to the US News and World Report, the best colleges in the UK for studying radiology are King’s College London, University College London, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Queen Mary University of London, University of Nottingham, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and University of Leeds.

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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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