Physiotherapist Salary UK (2026)
The UK median Physiotherapist salary is £38,000 per year. Entry-level: £28,000 · Senior: £55,000. Also known as: Chartered Physiotherapist, MSK Physiotherapist, Physio.
UK-wide salary distribution
Physiotherapist hiring market in the UK
Demand for Physiotherapists in the UK has been steady — neither contracting nor expanding sharply — with employer hiring tracking broadly in line with replacement need. The highest-paying UK city on this site for the role is London at £48,640 median, which is roughly what a competent mid-level practitioner can expect to earn there with three to five years of experience.
Pay progression for a Physiotherapist in the UK is rarely linear. Most of the gain happens at three points: the move from entry-level to mid (typically in years 2–3), the move into senior or principal positions (years 6–8), and — for those who pursue it — a lateral jump into management, consulting or independent contracting. Sitting in the same role waiting for inflationary increases is by some distance the slowest path; changing employer every three to four years remains the dominant pay-rise mechanism in the UK labour market.
Physiotherapist salary by UK city
| City | Lower quartile | Median | Upper quartile | vs UK avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £38,400 | £48,640 | £61,440 | +28% |
| Cambridge | £34,500 | £43,700 | £55,200 | +15% |
| Oxford | £33,900 | £42,940 | £54,240 | +13% |
| Reading | £33,600 | £42,560 | £53,760 | +12% |
| Edinburgh | £32,400 | £41,040 | £51,840 | +8% |
| Bristol | £31,800 | £40,280 | £50,880 | +6% |
| Brighton | £31,500 | £39,900 | £50,400 | +5% |
| Milton Keynes | £31,500 | £39,900 | £50,400 | +5% |
| Aberdeen | £31,200 | £39,520 | £49,920 | +4% |
| Southampton | £31,200 | £39,520 | £49,920 | +4% |
| Manchester | £30,600 | £38,760 | £48,960 | +2% |
| Leeds | £30,000 | £38,000 | £48,000 | +0% |
| Birmingham | £29,400 | £37,240 | £47,040 | -2% |
| Glasgow | £29,100 | £36,860 | £46,560 | -3% |
| Cardiff | £28,500 | £36,100 | £45,600 | -5% |
| Nottingham | £28,200 | £35,720 | £45,120 | -6% |
| Liverpool | £27,900 | £35,340 | £44,640 | -7% |
| Sheffield | £27,900 | £35,340 | £44,640 | -7% |
| Newcastle | £27,600 | £34,960 | £44,160 | -8% |
| Belfast | £27,000 | £34,200 | £43,200 | -10% |
Take-home pay calculator · 2024/25
Physiotherapist
£29,512/yr · £568/wk · effective rate 22.3%
| Gross salary | £38,000 |
| Pension (5%) | −£1,900 |
| Income tax | −£4,706 |
| National Insurance | −£1,882 |
| Net take-home | £29,512 |
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Core skills for Physiotherapists
- Musculoskeletal assessment
- Rehabilitation
- HCPC registration
- Manual therapy
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Physiotherapist salary in the UK?
The average UK Physiotherapist salary is £38,000 per year (ONS 2025). The lower quartile is £30,000 and the upper quartile is £48,000.
Where do Physiotherapists earn the most in the UK?
Physiotherapists earn most in London (£48,640 median), followed by Cambridge (£43,700) and Oxford (£42,940). See the full city table above.
What qualifications does a Physiotherapist need?
Core skills and qualifications for Physiotherapists include: Musculoskeletal assessment, Rehabilitation, HCPC registration, Manual therapy. Entry-level roles start at around £28,000; senior positions reach £55,000+.
Is Physiotherapist a good career in the UK?
The career outlook for Physiotherapists is medium. Salaries have grown broadly in line with wage inflation, with experienced professionals in high-cost cities (London, Cambridge, Oxford) earning 15–30% above the UK median.