For many doctors considering locum work in Northern Ireland, one of the biggest questions is how much they can earn. The answer depends on several factors, including your grade, specialty, experience and the shifts you choose to work.
Locum work offers doctors a great opportunity to earn competitive hourly rates while enjoying greater flexibility over their schedule. As a Tier 1 approved supplier and an agency recognised with RQIA excellence for three consecutive years, we here at Leadcare Recruitment place doctors in roles across all five HSCNI Trusts and private healthcare settings throughout Northern Ireland.
Locum Doctor Pay Rates with Leadcare Recruitment
At Leadcare Recruitment, we offer competitive hourly rates for doctors across a range of grades:- FY2 / SHO: £40-£60 per hour (varies by specialty and shift)
- CT / Registrar / Specialty Doctor (ST1-ST6): £50-£70 per hour
- SAS / Consultant: £80-£120 per hour (dependent on specialty)
How Much Could You Earn as a Locum Doctor?
One of the biggest advantages of locum work is that your earnings are largely in your own hands. The more shifts you choose to work, the more you can earn. For example, an FY2 or SHO earning between £40 and £60 per hour could earn £320-£480 for a standard eight-hour shift. A CT, Registrar or Specialty Doctor earning £50-£70 per hour could earn £400-£560 for the same shift. Meanwhile, SAS Doctors and Consultants earning £80-£120 per hour could take home between £640 and £960 for an eight-hour shift. Many doctors choose to supplement a substantive HSCNI post with occasional locum shifts, while others work as full-time locums to maximise their earning potential and enjoy greater flexibility.What Affects Locum Doctor Pay?
There are several factors that influence how much locum doctors earn in Northern Ireland.Your Grade
Generally, the more senior your grade, the higher your hourly rate. Whilst Consultants and SAS Doctors typically command the highest rates, Foundation Doctors, SHOs and Registrars also continue to benefit from highly competitive pay.Your Specialty
Certain specialties experience higher demand than others, which can lead to increased hourly rates for available shifts.Shift Type
Evening, night, weekend and bank holiday shifts often attract enhanced rates due to increased demand.Location and Demand
Hospitals in Northern Ireland experiencing staffing shortages may offer higher rates to ensure essential shifts are filled. At Leadcare, we recruit doctors across all five HSCNI Trusts including:- Belfast Trust
- Northern Trust
- Western Trust
- Southern Trust
- South Eastern Trust
Why Choose Locum Work?
While higher pay is a major benefit, many doctors in Northern Ireland choose locum work because it offers flexibility that permanent positions often can’t. Locum work allows you to:- Supplement your income
- Explore different career opportunities before committing to a permanent role
- Choose shifts across Northern Ireland that fit around your commitments
- Gain experience within different HSCNI Trusts and healthcare settings
- Improve your work-life balance
- Access opportunities that may not be available through permanent roles
Why Register with Leadcare Recruitment?
At Leadcare Recruitment, we support doctors throughout their locum journey, from finding suitable shifts to managing compliance and ongoing career requirements. When you register with Leadcare, you’ll benefit from:- Excellent hourly pay of £40–£120, depending on your grade and specialty
- Weekly pay
- Flexible shifts across all five HSCNI Trusts and private healthcare providers
- A dedicated recruitment consultant
- Free revalidation support
- Ongoing compliance and career support
- Easy shift management through the Leadcare App
- Unlimited referral bonus scheme offering the opportunity to earn up to £1200 per referral
- Fast-track application process
- Free AccessNI checks, mandatory training and occupational health clearance
