Calculate your physiotherapist take-home pay for 2025/26. Choose your NHS band, enter a custom salary, or explore private practice rates to see exactly how much you earn after income tax and National Insurance.
Agenda for Change pay scales for physiotherapists in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may apply different rates.
| Band | Role | Min | Max | Monthly Take-Home (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | Newly Qualified Physiotherapist | £29,970 | £36,483 | ~£2,075 |
| Band 6 | Specialist Physiotherapist | £37,338 | £44,962 | ~£2,530 |
| Band 7 | Specialist / Team Lead | £43,742 | £50,056 | ~£2,900 |
| Band 8a | Advanced Practitioner | £50,952 | £57,349 | ~£3,200 |
| Band 8b | Consultant Physiotherapist | £58,972 | £68,525 | ~£3,600 |
Private physiotherapists can earn significantly more than NHS counterparts, especially when self-employed. Below are typical market rates for 2025.
| Setting | Typical Rate | Est. Annual | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Employed (part-time) | £50–£70/hr | ~£35,000–£50,000 | ~£2,300–£3,100 |
| Self-Employed (full-time, busy) | £70–£100/hr | ~£60,000–£80,000 | ~£3,500–£4,500 |
| Private Hospital (employed) | Salaried | ~£40,000–£65,000 | ~£2,680–£3,850 |
| Sports / Elite Athlete | Variable | ~£45,000–£70,000 | ~£2,900–£4,100 |
| Locum NHS/Private | £25–£45/hr | Variable | Variable |
Self-employed physiotherapists pay Class 4 NI (9% / 2%) and must file self-assessment tax returns. Figures above are estimates for a sole trader basis after income tax and NI only.
Physiotherapy is one of the UK's most respected and in-demand allied health professions. Physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of physical conditions, from musculoskeletal injuries to neurological rehabilitation, respiratory conditions and post-surgical recovery. With the NHS facing a sustained workforce shortage and private demand for physiotherapy services growing rapidly, the career prospects and earning potential for physiotherapists in 2025 are strong.
All newly qualified physiotherapists entering the NHS start on Band 5, with a 2025/26 salary of £29,970. This rises incrementally through the band to a maximum of £36,483, typically reached after two to three years of full-time NHS employment. At the starting point, monthly take-home pay after income tax and NI (without pension) is approximately £2,075. With pension contributions at 9.8% (appropriate for Band 5 salaries above £30,578), take-home falls slightly but builds substantial defined-benefit pension rights.
After gaining experience and often completing specialist training, physiotherapists move to Band 6. This band covers specialist physiotherapists working in areas such as musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, cardiorespiratory, and oncology. The 2025/26 Band 6 salary range is £37,338 to £44,962. At the minimum, monthly take-home is around £2,530. Many Band 6 roles carry increasing clinical autonomy, with physiotherapists managing complex caseloads and sometimes leading service development.
Band 7 physiotherapists occupy senior specialist or team leader positions. They may manage junior staff, lead clinical governance activities, and work at an advanced or extended scope level. In some trusts, Band 7 roles include physiotherapist first contact practitioners (FCPs) in GP practices, who independently assess and manage musculoskeletal patients. The salary range is £43,742 to £50,056, with monthly take-home of approximately £2,900 to £3,100 after tax and NI.
Band 8a physiotherapists hold consultant-level clinical skills, often including independent prescribing qualifications and post-graduate Masters or doctoral degrees. They contribute to service strategy, research, and clinical education. Some NHS trusts combine Band 8a roles with extended scope practice in minor injury units or outpatient musculoskeletal departments. Salary is £50,952 to £57,349. Monthly take-home at the minimum point is around £3,200 after standard deductions.
Band 8b is the highest clinical physiotherapy grade in most NHS trusts. Consultant Physiotherapists are responsible for setting clinical standards, driving research, and providing expert input into commissioning decisions. The 2025/26 salary range is £58,972 to £68,525. After income tax at the 40% higher rate and NI, monthly take-home is approximately £3,600 at the minimum and £3,900 at the maximum, assuming pension contributions of 10.7%.
Many physiotherapists work in or move into private practice, either as employed staff in private hospitals and clinics, or as self-employed practitioners running their own clinics. Self-employed physiotherapists typically charge £50–£100 per session (typically 45–60 minutes), with busy practitioners in urban areas potentially earning £65,000–£80,000 or more per year before tax. However, self-employed physiotherapists must account for business overheads (premises, equipment, insurance), self-assessment tax returns, and the lack of NHS pension, sick pay or annual leave entitlements.
For senior NHS physiotherapists at Band 7 or above, the NHS pension scheme (with a 23.7% employer contribution) represents a substantial benefit that is difficult to replicate in private practice. However, self-employed physiotherapists at higher income levels may take home more after tax than equivalent NHS colleagues, even accounting for overheads, if they can fill a consistent caseload. Many experienced physiotherapists pursue a portfolio career combining NHS part-time work with private practice, optimising both income and job security.
NHS physiotherapists pay income tax via PAYE. For 2025/26, the personal allowance is £12,570. Basic rate tax (20%) applies up to £50,270 of taxable income. Higher rate tax (40%) applies above £50,270, which begins to affect Band 7 and Band 8 physiotherapists. National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above. Self-employed physiotherapists pay Class 4 NI at 9% up to £50,270 and 2% above, plus Class 2 NI if applicable.
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan commits to growing the physiotherapy workforce by tens of thousands over the next decade. Demand from an ageing population, growing MSK referrals, and post-COVID rehabilitation backlogs continue to drive NHS investment. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) continues to negotiate for improved AfC pay and better career development pathways. First Contact Practitioner roles in primary care have created new NHS career opportunities for experienced Band 7 physiotherapists seeking primary care settings.
Advanced physiotherapy qualifications including MSc, Prescribing, and clinical doctoral programmes open the door to Band 8a and 8b roles. Some NHS trusts offer support for study leave and bursaries. Return on investment is strong: progressing from Band 6 max (£44,962) to Band 8a min (£50,952) increases gross pay by over £5,000 per year, and the pension accrual on higher salary is also more valuable.
Last updated: April 2025. Salary data based on NHS Agenda for Change 2025/26. Tax calculations use HMRC 2025/26 rates. Private practice figures are market estimates. Author: Mustafa Bilgic (MB).