What is take-home for a Band 6 podiatrist?

On £44,038 (mid Band 6) with the 9.8% NHS pension contribution, take-home is approximately £31,700 a year (about £2,640 a month) after 20% Income Tax on pay above £12,570, 8% National Insurance and pension. This is the same as other Band 6 allied health roles on base pay.

Do private podiatrists earn more than the NHS?

They can, but it depends entirely on caseload. A busy private clinic offering nail surgery, orthotics and diabetic foot care can earn well above NHS Band 7, while a quieter list may earn less. Self-employed podiatrists also pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance and get no NHS pension.

When does a podiatrist pay 40% tax?

On earnings above £50,270. NHS Band 5 and Band 6 podiatrists (£32,073 to £48,117) stay at the 20% basic rate. A Band 7 podiatrist or a higher-earning private practitioner whose income passes £50,270 pays 40% Income Tax on the portion above it, and 2% National Insurance instead of 8%.

Podiatrist Salary 2026/27: What You Take Home

Podiatrists (chiropodists) are HCPC-registered clinicians on NHS Agenda for Change Band 5-7 (£32,073 to £56,515 in 2026/27). Many run private practices where earnings vary with caseload. Band 5-6 pay stays at basic rate; Band 7 crosses the £50,270 higher-rate threshold.

Typical pay & take-home

Median gross: £44,038
Typical range: £32,073–£56,515
Take-home at median: £35,227

At the median for this profession, you earn about 13% above the UK full-time median (£39,039), placing you in the top 42% of UK earners.

See exact take-home for £44,038 →

What influences podiatrist pay

Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and lower-limb conditions and qualify with a BSc plus HCPC registration. NHS pay follows Agenda for Change: Band 5 entry (£32,073) for a newly qualified podiatrist, progressing to Band 6 specialist (£39,959 to £48,117) and Band 7 advanced practitioner or surgical podiatry (£49,387 to £56,515 in 2026/27). ONS ASHE 2025 records a full-time median of £47,699 for podiatrists (SOC 2020 code 2256), though the sample is small and reflects a mix of NHS and private practitioners.

A large share of podiatrists work in private practice, either self-employed or in a clinic, where income depends on appointment volume, treatments offered (nail surgery, biomechanics/orthotics, diabetic foot care) and location rather than a fixed band. High-cost-area supplements apply to NHS London posts, and specialist and surgical podiatrists reach Band 8a and above.

Tax band depends on grade or trading profit. A Band 5-6 or basic-rate self-employed podiatrist (£32,073 to £48,117) pays 20% Income Tax and 8% Class 1 NI (or Class 4 NI if self-employed) up to £50,270. Band 7 and higher-earning private practitioners cross £50,270 into 40% Income Tax. NHS pension contributions are 9.8% across Band 6-7 pay up to £52,778, then 10.7% above it.

Career progression

Newly qualified podiatrist (NHS Band 5): £32,073 to £39,043.
Specialist podiatrist (NHS Band 6): £39,959 to £48,117.
Advanced practitioner / podiatric surgery trainee (NHS Band 7): £49,387 to £56,515.
Consultant podiatrist / podiatric surgeon (NHS Band 8a and above): £57,528 and up.
Private practice / clinic owner: income varies with caseload and treatments, no NHS pension.

Frequently asked questions

What is take-home for a Band 6 podiatrist?: On £44,038 (mid Band 6) with the 9.8% NHS pension contribution, take-home is approximately £31,700 a year (about £2,640 a month) after 20% Income Tax on pay above £12,570, 8% National Insurance and pension. This is the same as other Band 6 allied health roles on base pay.
Do private podiatrists earn more than the NHS?: They can, but it depends entirely on caseload. A busy private clinic offering nail surgery, orthotics and diabetic foot care can earn well above NHS Band 7, while a quieter list may earn less. Self-employed podiatrists also pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance and get no NHS pension.
When does a podiatrist pay 40% tax?: On earnings above £50,270. NHS Band 5 and Band 6 podiatrists (£32,073 to £48,117) stay at the 20% basic rate. A Band 7 podiatrist or a higher-earning private practitioner whose income passes £50,270 pays 40% Income Tax on the portion above it, and 2% National Insurance instead of 8%.

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