Trends in GP incomes in England, 2008–2017: a retrospective analysis of repeated postal surveys

Background There is widespread concern over the recruitment and retention of GPs in England. Income is a fundamental consideration affecting the attractiveness of working in general practice.

Aim To report on trends in average incomes earned by GPs in England, adjusted for inflation and contracted time commitment.

Design and setting Postal surveys of random samples of GPs working in England in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2017.

Method Trends in average reported incomes of partner and salaried GPs were directly standardised for the reported number of sessions worked per week and adjusted for inflation.

Results Data were obtained from between 1000 and 1300 responders each year, representing response rates between 25% and 44%. Almost all responders (96%) reported the income they earned from their job as a GP. Mean nominal annual income decreased by 1.1% from £99 437 in 2008 to £98 373 in 2017 for partner GPs and increased by 4.4% from £49 061 to £51 208 for salaried GPs. Mean sessions worked decreased from 7.7 to 7.0 per week for partner GPs and decreased from 5.6 to 5.3 per week for salaried GPs. Mean income adjusted for sessions worked and inflation decreased by 10.0% for partner GPs and by 7.0% for salaried GPs, between 2008 and 2017.

Conclusion The decrease in GP income adjusted for sessions worked and inflation over the last decade may have contributed to the current problems with recruitment and retention.