The gradual fall in contractor GP income has continued this year, figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show.
A report released today shows that the average income before tax was £103,000 in 2011/12 for GPs in England, a 1.1% drop on 2010/11.
And GP contractor incomes have fallen steadily since their peak of £110,000 in 2005/05.
However, income tends to be higher for single-hander general practitioners – before taxes, their average income was £116,000.
For GPs in practices with two to three doctors the average income was £103,8000, in practices with four to five doctors it was £33,500 and in practices with six or more doctors the average wage was £103,500.
HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning said: “This report provides a detailed insight into the income of GPs and their practice expenses, showing that the average income before tax of a contractor GP is £103,000.
The data confirm a continued gradual decline in average GP incomes and will provide a useful contribution to discussions over the remuneration of the family doctors.”
Contractor GPs form about 80% of the workforce. The average gross earnings for contractor GPs were £267,900, a 0.5 per cent increase on 2010/11.
Contractor GPs pay for expenses such as premises and practice staff wages out of their gross earnings – and these costs showed a greater percentage increase than earnings, rising by 1.6% to £164,900. The proportion of their gross earnings taken up by expenses rose to 61.6%.
The full report is available to view on the Health and Social Care Information Centre website.
