Doctors paid less than train drivers as key workers salary revealed

Despite doctors being seen as a pivotal key worker in the fight against COVID-19, they are paid less than train drivers who are paid the highest salary out of this new group.

Research from Glassdoor discovered that train drivers on average are paid £3,190 more than doctors.

Glassdoor found key workers get paid:

• • Train Driver, average median annual base pay: £54,959 in London £54,974 outside London
  • Doctor, average median annual base pay: £51,769 in London £43,867 outside London
  • Paramedic, average median annual base pay: £35,253 in London / £31,550 outside London
  • Social worker, average median annual base pay: £35,085 in London £32,701 outside London
  • Firefighter, average median annual base pay: £34,261 in London £31,353 outside London
  • Teacher, average median annual base pay: £31,868 in London £30,913 outside London
  • Prison guard, average median annual base pay: £30,000 in London £29,207 outside London
  • Bus driver, average median annual base pay: £29,040 in London £24,459 outside London
  • Police community support officer, average median annual base pay: £26,956 in London £25,882 outside London
  • Postman, average median annual base pay: £23,863 in London £22,416 outside London
  • Delivery driver, average median annual base pay: £21,044 in London £20,148 outside London
  • Care assistant, average hourly base pay: £8 per hour in London £16,000 outside London

John Lamphiere, Vice President and managing director of EMEA at Glassdoor said:

Key workers are rightly being praised as heroes for their dedication and work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with many on the  front line helping to support patients with the virus. As such, more scrutiny is being placed on what they earn vs. what they are worth to the nation. You’d be forgiven for wondering why many key workers earn below the national average, whereas many jobs that are not critical right now pay much, much more.

The Government announced all key workers in England, as well as members of their household who may be self-isolating, are now eligible for COVID-19 tests, employers can now refer their staff for a test too.

This was announced by Matt Hancock, Health Secretary at the daily Downing Street Coronavirus briefings on the 23/04/20.

Glassdoor calculated these figures using Office for National Statistics (ONS) Employee Earnings in the UK: 2019.

Darius McQuaid

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Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.

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