GP Locum Pay Rates in 2026: What You Should Be Charging
2026 GP locum rate benchmarks, key factors that affect pricing, and practical negotiation guidance so you can charge confidently.
As a GP locum, knowing your worth and charging an appropriate rate is critical. In 2026, the market remains mixed: contract funding has increased, but many locums are still reporting pressure on availability and rates. This article summarises the latest signals, key influencing factors, and what you should realistically aim to charge.
What the Latest Data Shows
- GPonline reported in March 2026 that average rates paid to locum GPs by practices had fallen slightly in England, while rising in the other UK nations, based on analysis from GP Business. Source
- GP Business continues to publish annual locum rate tables for directly booked practice work, with the latest published tables covering 2025 rates and regional variation. Source
- A March 2026 GPonline poll suggested almost three in five locum GPs in England had been unable to secure the amount of work they needed over the previous 12 months. Source
- The 2026/27 GP contract includes a 3.6% cash uplift to the core GP contract, with further changes to GP reimbursement schemes and ARRS flexibility. Source
- Following the 2026/27 DDRB recommendation, BMA guidance says uplifts are being applied to Global Sum, locum reimbursement rates, ARRS maximum reimbursable rates, and Enhanced Access funding. Source
These data points suggest that 2026 is not a simple "rates are rising" year. Practices have more contractual funding than last year, but ad-hoc locum demand varies sharply by area, and some markets remain competitive.
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 and 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 2026 (by Region and 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-£110 | £650-£850 | £110-£145 | £130-£170 |
| Midlands / Central England | £80-£105 | £600-£820 | £100-£135 | £120-£160 |
| North / Northern England | £78-£100 | £580-£780 | £95-£130 | £115-£155 |
| South West / South Wales | £82-£105 | £600-£820 | £100-£140 | £120-£165 |
| Scotland / Rural / Highlands and Islands | £90-£125+ | £700-£1,000+ | £120-£165+ | £140-£190+ |
Note: These are practical benchmark ranges, not official tariffs. 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-£105 per hour in many areas, rising to £105-£115 where workload, urgency, or local shortages justify it
- Full-day bookings: £620-£850 depending on location, session structure, and admin expectations
- OOH / evenings / weekends: £100-£145 per hour
- Bank holidays / premium shifts: 15-30% higher than standard rates
If a practice is offering significantly below these bands, check whether the workload, admin burden, travel, pension status, and cancellation terms justify the rate. In 2026, lower offers are more common in oversupplied local markets, so your strongest position is usually built on clear terms rather than hourly rate alone.
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.