The responses are in, and it’s time to announce the results of the 2024 Practice Manager Salary Survey.

Our thanks go to the 104 respondents who completed our survey and without whose help we would not be able to provide this insight into salary and how practice managers are feeling.

•    The average basic annual salary effective from 1st April 2024 was £51,521
•    Of those who answered,15% said they did not work extra hours per week, but 81% said that they did
•    For those who did work extra hours, the average additional hours worked per week was 7
•    However, 67% of those working overtime did not get paid for those extra hours, whilst only 33% did receive payment.
•    26% practice managers said they received a bonus for the year ending 31st March 2024, with 74% saying they didn’t
•    For those who received a bonus, £2,269 was the average amount they received
•    56% of managers reported that they had a pay rise (not including bonuses) for the year ending 31st March 2024, with the majority reporting between 2% and 6% rises. (3% said their pay had fallen in the last year.)
•    The highest pay rise was £15k, with the lowest £100. 
•    4% said they planned to resign in the next year, and 6% planned to retire

About Our Respondents

•    4 had Partner status
•    78% were female, 22% were male
•    64% said they had a management qualification

Click the image below to view an infographic summary of the results

As ever, there was a broad range of sentiments expressed about the role of a PM and the system they have to operate within:

Frustrations and Chaos

One manager described the role as “fast-paced, lonely, with unreal expectations at times – being pulled here there and everywhere by 5 partners”. 
Others agreed that it was “chaos” and “frustrating”, with one highlighting what they thought was a “bureaucratic quagmire” they had to operate in.

ICB support

Some noted that they did not feel they were supported by the ICB, and that “everything is a battle”. Another said they “feel very much invisible to/unsupported by ICB/NHSE”.
One manager said the organisations outside of the practice seemed to have lost their way somewhat, commenting that “Our PCN is excellent but I consider the ICB and NHSE to be wasting far too much money unnecessarily that could be used on front end services.”
The Welsh government were also criticised for their “lack of support” by one manager.

Positive Comments

Despite the many negative comments, there were many positive and hopeful remarks too. Many managers said they enjoyed the sheer variety and interest of the job, and the pride many felt at working at their practices shone through in many of the comments, despite the challenges many faced. 
Looking ahead, one PM said they felt that since the Darzi report was published, things may change for practice income for the better. One manager said they were very involved in the IT testing side of new clinical systems which made them feel positive. 

From everyone here at FPM, we wish practice managers and all NHS staff the very best for the year ahead.