Practice managers average pay has increased by 4% this year.
On average, practice managers are now paid £40,200, compared to £38,758 last year. However, bonuses have dropped by almost 20%.
Bonus payments have been steadily declining for the past few year. Close to 75% of managers reported they will not be receiving a bonus this year.
Income varies depending on location and practice size, with manager of smaller practices earning around £32,000 and larger practices around £47,700.
Practice managers based in Greater London consistently earn the most, the survey of 600 managers from across the UK showed.
Average total earnings for practice managers in Greater London were £45,500, with 66% of respondents from the area earning over £40,000.
Following London is the South East, with an average income of £42,200.The East region, has the third highest average income of £40,400.
Scotland (with Northern Ireland) region show the lowest level of income (£35,180) followed by Wales (£35,730). This reflects a traditional pattern, with managers earning almost 30% less than their colleagues in London. There are more smaller practices in these regions to account for the lower salary levels than the rest of the UK.
Steve Morris, general manager of First Practice Management, who commissioned the survey with Towergate MIA insurance, said: “Many practice managers report a significant increase in personal pressures especially around clinical commissioning group requirements and Care Quality Commission compliance, with some claiming an unmanageable workload, and significant unpaid work in their own time, being a common occurrence. A number of members are looking for early retirement or a move elsewhere, including outside the NHS.
“Pressure on practice finances, which was a particular factor last year, is still an issue in this survey, and nil pay rises for a number of successive years still exist in some practices, with others also cutting back staff numbers, often by natural wastage.”
