£42,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Real Winner
Sheffield
Sheffield wins by £116/month disposable income over Aberdeen.
£40,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Financial Grid
| Expense Category | Aberdeen (Monthly) | Sheffield (Monthly) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| home Rent (1-Bed City Centre) | £1,050 | £825 | -46.3% |
| train Commuting (Monthly Pass) | £185 | £62 | -66.5% |
| ⚡ Council Tax & Utilities | £307 | £285 | -7.2% |
| shopping_cart Groceries | £320 | £280 | -12.5% |
| Disposable Income Remaining | £1,752 | £1,868 | +270% |
Sources: NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 · ONS ASHE 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Q4 2025 · Revenue Scotland income tax rates 2025/26 · Numbeo COL Index 2025. Last updated: January 2026.
Live Roles · Updated Daily
Doctor Jobs in These Cities
Foundation Doctor — FY1
NHS Lothian · Royal Infirmary of Sheffield
£40,000
per year + TPS pension
via NHS Jobs · Posted 2 days ago
Foundation Doctor — FY2
King's College Hospital NHS Trust · Aberdeen SE5
£42,000
per year inc. HCAS
via NHS Jobs · Posted 5 days ago
Specialty Doctor — General Practice
NHS Scotland · Multiple locations
£53,000+
Specialty grade
via NHS Scotland · Posted today
Income Retention
Efficiency
Despite the Aberdeen salary premium, higher costs of living in the capital erode purchasing power significantly faster than in Sheffield.
Pro Tip
"Relocating to Sheffield effectively grants a massive boost in disposable income for NHS professionals."
- SalaryDex Career Insights
Lifestyle Anchors
Cappuccino
£3.95 / £3.20
Gasoline (1L)
£1.52 / £1.48
Gym Membership
£48 / £32
Cinema Ticket
£15 / £11.50
Ready to make the move?
47 doctor roles open in Sheffield right now. Your £116/month salary boost is one application away.
Browse Sheffield Roles →Featured Roles · Sheffield
Specialty Registrar — Internal Medicine
NHS Lothian · Sheffield · £51,017–£58,398
GP Partner — Sheffield City Centre
Private Practice · Sheffield · £90,000–£120,000
Listings powered by NHS Jobs · Reed.co.uk · Indeed
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Frequently asked questions
Updated Q1 2026 · Sources: NHS Employers, ONS ASHE 2025, Revenue Scotland
Do doctors earn more in Aberdeen than Sheffield? ▾
Yes. A foundation doctor earns £42,000 in Aberdeen (including Aberdeen HCAS) versus £40,000 in Sheffield. However after rent and living costs, Sheffield doctors have approximately £116 more disposable income per month.
What is the take-home pay for a doctor in Aberdeen vs Sheffield? ▾
On £42,000 (Aberdeen), take-home is approximately £2,802/month after tax and NI. On £40,000 (Sheffield), take-home is £2,693/month. After average rent, Sheffield leaves £1,868/month vs Aberdeen's £1,752/month.
Is Sheffield cheaper than Aberdeen for doctors? ▾
Yes — significantly. Sheffield's average 1-bed rent is £825/month vs Aberdeen's £1,050/month. Sheffield's overall cost-of-living index is 72 vs Aberdeen's 100. A doctor's Sheffield salary delivers 28% more purchasing power than the equivalent Aberdeen salary.
Is the tax rate different in Scotland for doctors? ▾
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax bands. At foundation doctor salary levels (£40,000), Scottish taxpayers pay approximately £168/year more than an equivalent English salary due to the 21% intermediate rate band. This small premium is far outweighed by Sheffield's lower housing costs.
What salary in Sheffield matches a Aberdeen doctor lifestyle? ▾
Because Sheffield's cost of living is 28% lower than Aberdeen, a doctor earning £40,000 in Sheffield maintains a significantly better lifestyle than the equivalent Aberdeen salary of £42,000. No adjustment is needed — Sheffield's lower salary delivers more disposable income.
Open roles matching this comparison