As a GP locum, knowing your worth and charging an appropriate rate is critical. In 2025, pay expectations are shifting due to inflation, NHS uplifts, and regional demand imbalances. This article dives into the latest data, key influencing factors, and what you should realistically aim to charge.
What the Latest Data Shows
- A survey by GPOnline / GP Business shows locum rates are under pressure, with medians between £80–£110/hr for standard sessions. Source
- In some WhatsApp/peer-networked locum bookings, GPs were charging £86/hr in January 2025, falling to £84/hr by April 2025. Source
- NASGP data suggests average hourly locum pay dropped from £91/hr to £89/hr in early 2025. Source
- The NHS England 2025/26 contract includes a 4% uplift to locum reimbursement maximums, backdated to 1 April 2025. Source
These data points suggest that while some practices are pushing down rates, there is also institutional support for raising reimbursement ceilings.
Key Factors That Influence Your Rate
- Geographical area / rural vs urban — Remote areas often pay a premium.
- Session type — In-hours vs out-of-hours / weekend / bank holiday work bring different rates.
- Workload — Number of patients, home visits, admin load, complexity.
- Experience / special skills — GPs with niche skills (minor surgery, diabetes, women’s health) can charge more.
- Pensionability — Whether the session is pensionable or non-pensionable affects net take-home.
- Supply & demand in your region — In areas saturated with locums, rates tend to be lower.
- Travel / expenses — If you have to travel far or incur extra costs (parking, car hire), incorporate that.
Comparison Table: GP Locum Rates in 2025 (by Region & Session Type)
| Region / Area | Standard In-Hours Rate (per hour) | Full Day / 8-Hour Session | Out-of-Hours / Evenings / Weekend | Bank Holiday / Premium Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London / Southeast | £85 – £105 | £650 – £820 | £110 – £140 | £130 – £160 |
| Midlands / Central England | £80 – £100 | £600 – £780 | £100 – £130 | £120 – £150 |
| North / Northern England | £80 – £95 | £580 – £750 | £95 – £125 | £115 – £145 |
| South West / South Wales | £82 – £100 | £600 – £780 | £100 – £135 | £120 – £155 |
| Scotland / Rural / Highlands & Islands | £90 – £120+ | £700 – £960+ | £120 – £160+ | £140 – £180+ |
⚠️ Note: The “+” signs in rural/remote zones indicate the possibility of rates exceeding those ranges in very undersupplied areas.
What You Should Be Charging
- Standard in-hours sessions: £85–£110 per hour
- Full-day bookings: £650–£850 depending on location/workload
- OOH / evenings / weekends: £100–£140 per hour
- Bank holidays / premium shifts: 15–30% higher than standard rates
👉 If a practice is offering significantly below these bands, it’s worth questioning whether the workload and conditions justify the rate.
Tips to Negotiate Stronger Rates
- Ask for clarity up front: session length, expected patient load, admin duties, breaks.
- If a session is non-pensionable, add a “pension premium” to offset your loss.
- For travel-intensive work, include a mileage / travel surcharge.
- Use local intelligence (peers, locum groups) to benchmark rates.
- Don’t undervalue yourself — it’s hard to raise rates later.
Track Your Pay Easily with airGP
Once you’ve set your rates, make sure you’re tracking sessions and invoices properly. That’s where airGP comes in:
✅ Log sessions in your calendar
✅ Create invoices in one click
✅ Track pensionable vs non-pensionable pay
✅ Export income for tax reporting
Best of all, airGP is free for up to 50 sessions a year, and you get 1 year of PRO tier completely free. After that, it’s just £4.99/month, far cheaper than other locum platforms.
👉 Sign up to airGP today and take control of your earnings.