Doctors See Largest Real-Term Pay Rise; NHS Junior Doctors Dispute Looms

Doctors experienced the largest real-term pay increase of any profession over the past decade, with advertised salaries reaching £126,133 in 2025, a 68% rise since 2016, according to Indeed data. Software developers and insurance workers followed with 15% and 11% gains, respectively. Public sector pay growth reached 7.9% in 2025, more than double the 3.6% in the private sector, as the NHS resident doctors dispute over pay escalates. A YouGov poll showed a majority opposed strikes, with resident doctor pay up 28.9% in three years. The government is offering NHS staff a 2.5% pay rise for 2026-27, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reportedly seeking to double that for junior doctors, with penalties for poor working conditions. Meanwhile, civil engineering salaries are down 20% in real terms since 2016, and roles in medical information, mechanical engineering, and scientific R&D lag behind.