Psychologist Salary UK
Calculate your psychologist take-home pay. NHS Bands 6-8d and private practice rates for 2025/26.
Calculate Your Psychologist Take-Home Pay
Clinical Psychologist NHS Pay Grades 2025/26
Clinical psychologists in NHS England are employed under the Agenda for Change (AfC) framework. Most clinical psychology roles sit within Band 7 to Band 8d, reflecting the doctoral-level training required. The 2025/26 AfC pay uplift of 5.5% has improved psychologist salaries significantly.
Trainee (Band 6)
£37,338 – £44,962
3-year DClinPsy training paid by NHS England. Full employee status with pension and annual leave entitlements.
Newly Qualified (Band 7)
£43,742 – £50,056
Post-qualification entry grade. Autonomous practice with clinical supervision. Typically 2-4 years before 8a promotion.
Specialist Band 8a
£50,952 – £57,349
Specialist clinical roles, service leadership, and supervision of trainees. Requires demonstrable specialist competencies.
Principal Band 8b
£58,972 – £68,525
Principal-level roles with significant service management, research, or training responsibilities. Often heads of specialty teams.
Consultant Band 8c
£70,417 – £81,138
Consultant psychologist roles with trust-wide or regional impact. National/professional leadership responsibilities.
Senior Consultant 8d
£83,571 – £96,490
Highest NHS clinical grade. Strategic leadership, national influence, research leadership or very complex clinical work.
Private Practice Psychologist Rates UK 2025
Private practice offers significantly higher earning potential for qualified psychologists. Key factors influencing private fees:
- Clinical psychologists: £120 to £200 per session (50 minutes), with London rates typically 20-30% higher
- Counselling psychologists: £80 to £150 per session
- Educational psychologists: £90 to £175 per hour for statutory assessments (EHC needs assessments)
- Neuropsychological assessments: £1,500 to £4,000 per assessment for complex cognitive evaluation reports
- Medico-legal reports: £150 to £250 per hour, often the most lucrative work for experienced clinical psychologists
Tax Rates for Psychologist Salaries 2025/26
The calculator applies HMRC 2025/26 income tax thresholds:
- Personal Allowance: £12,570 (tax-free)
- Basic Rate (20%): £12,571 to £50,270
- Higher Rate (40%): £50,271 to £125,140
- Additional Rate (45%): Above £125,140
- National Insurance: 8% on £12,570 to £50,270; 2% above £50,270
Note: Band 8c and 8d psychologists earning over £50,270 will be subject to the 40% higher rate tax on income above this threshold. At Band 8d maximum (£96,490 plus any London weighting), a significant portion of income is taxed at 40%, making pension contributions and salary sacrifice schemes particularly valuable.
Types of Psychologist and Their Typical Salaries
The term "psychologist" covers a wide range of specialisms in the UK, each with distinct salary profiles:
- Clinical Psychologist: NHS Band 7-8d (£43,742-£96,490). The most common NHS psychology role, working with mental health, physical health conditions, and complex presentations.
- Counselling Psychologist: NHS Band 7-8a typically (£43,742-£57,349). Often working in primary care, IAPT/Talking Therapies, or independent practice.
- Educational Psychologist: LA pay scale approximately £45,000-£85,000. Employed by local authorities, working with children with SEN.
- Forensic Psychologist: NHS/Prison Service Band 7-8b (£43,742-£68,525). Working with offenders, courts, and secure units.
- Health Psychologist: NHS Band 7-8a (£43,742-£57,349). Supporting behaviour change and chronic illness management in physical health settings.
- Sport Psychologist: Typically self-employed, earning £40,000-£100,000+ depending on level and clients. Elite sport roles can command significantly higher fees.
- Occupational Psychologist: Primarily private sector, £40,000-£80,000. Working in HR, assessment, and organisational development.
NHS vs Private Practice: Financial Comparison
Many experienced psychologists face a choice between NHS employment and private practice. Here is a financial comparison for a Band 8a psychologist (£54,000 gross):
- NHS Band 8a: ~£54,000 gross → ~£38,800 net after tax, NI, and 8.6% pension contribution. Plus NHS pension worth approximately 23.7% employer contribution (£12,800/year accruing).
- Private practice equivalent: 20 sessions/week at £140/hour, 46 working weeks = £128,800 gross. After 30% expenses (room hire, insurance, supervision, marketing, CPD), gross profit £90,160. After income tax and Class 4 NI as self-employed, take-home approximately £57,000-£62,000. No employer pension contribution.
- Conclusion: Private practice offers higher net income but requires business management skills, marketing, and carries income variability. The NHS pension and job security have significant financial value when properly accounted for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a clinical psychologist's starting salary in the UK?
A newly qualified clinical psychologist starts on NHS Band 7, paying £43,742 to £50,056 per year in 2025/26. After income tax and National Insurance, take-home pay is approximately £33,000 to £37,200 per year. During the 3-year doctoral training programme, trainees are paid at Band 6 (£37,338 minimum).
How much does a Band 8 psychologist earn?
Band 8 salaries vary by sub-grade: 8a: £50,952-£57,349; 8b: £58,972-£68,525; 8c: £70,417-£81,138; 8d: £83,571-£96,490. At Band 8d maximum, take-home pay is approximately £57,000-£62,000 per year after 40% higher rate tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
How much do private psychologists charge per hour in the UK?
Private psychologists in the UK typically charge £80 to £200 per hour. Clinical psychologists generally charge £120 to £200/hour, counselling psychologists £80 to £150/hour, and educational psychologists £90 to £175/hour for assessments. London rates tend to be 20-30% higher than the national average.
What is the difference between a clinical and counselling psychologist salary?
In the NHS, both start at Band 7 (£43,742) post-qualification. Clinical psychologists tend to progress through the Band 8 range more rapidly into specialist and consultant roles. In private practice, clinical psychologists typically command higher fees (£120-£200/hour) versus counselling psychologists (£80-£150/hour) due to broader scope of practice and the nature of assessments they can conduct.
Do NHS psychologists get a pension?
Yes. NHS psychologists are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme (defined benefit). Employee contributions range from 5.1% to 13.5% based on salary, with NHS employer contributions of 23.7%. At Band 8a (£54,000), an employee contributes approximately 8.6% (£4,644/year). The pension provides secure retirement income based on career average earnings.
How long does it take to become a clinical psychologist?
Typically 9 to 12 years: a 3-year BPS-accredited psychology degree, 1-3 years gaining relevant clinical experience (often as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant), and a 3-year NHS-funded Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy). Trainees are paid Band 6 salary throughout the doctorate. Competition for training places is intense with approximately 5,500 applicants for around 700 places annually.
What is an educational psychologist's salary?
Educational psychologists are employed by local authorities on separate pay scales. Qualified EPs earn £45,000 to £60,000 in most areas, rising to £65,000 to £80,000 for Principal and Senior EPs. London LAs may pay above £90,000 for experienced practitioners. Independent educational psychologists typically charge £90 to £175 per hour for statutory EHC needs assessments and specialist reports.
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