NHS Consultant Occupational Therapist salary, 2026/27
Consultant occupational therapists work at advanced practice level with leadership, education and research responsibilities. The role requires Master's or doctoral training plus extensive specialist experience. Most consultant OTs sit at Band 8a or Band 8b.
- Range (England)
- £57,528 to £77,368
- Typical bands
- Band 8a, Band 8b
- Hourly entry
- £29.42
- Hourly top
- £39.57
Consultant Occupational Therapist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Consultant Occupational Therapists are typically paid on. Most Consultant Occupational Therapists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Consultant Occupational Therapist pay in Scotland
Scottish NHS staff are paid on a separate pay scale, negotiated by the Scottish Government rather than the UK Pay Review Body. Scotland consistently pays more than England at every band. The figures below are the Scottish equivalents for the same bands.
Common questions
- What pay band is a Consultant Occupational Therapist on?
- NHS Consultant Occupational Therapists sit at Band 8a or Band 8b depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Consultant Occupational Therapists usually start on the lowest banding shown, with progression to the higher bands as they take on more senior or specialist work.
- How much does an NHS Consultant Occupational Therapist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Consultant Occupational Therapist earns between £57,528 and £77,368 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £29.42 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £39.57 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Consultant Occupational Therapists earn between £65,125 and £82,251 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Consultant Occupational Therapist jobs in the NHS?
- NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) lists all current vacancies across the four UK nations. Filter by 'Pay Band' to focus on roles at the band you're interested in. HSC Recruit covers Northern Ireland (jobs.hscni.net) and NHS Scotland Jobs covers Scotland (jobs.scot.nhs.uk). Most Trusts also list vacancies on their own websites alongside the national portal.
- Does Consultant Occupational Therapist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Consultant Occupational Therapists working at Inner London Trusts get 20% on top of basic pay (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746 for 2026/27). Outer London is 15%, Fringe is 5%. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Consultant Occupational Therapists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.