General Practitioners are the cornerstone of primary care, yet the retention of GPs remains a pressing issue – especially among mid-career clinicians. Burnout, lack of progression, and increasing administrative burdens are pushing many to leave full-time roles or explore portfolio careers.
The importance of salary benchmarking to improve the retention of GPs
Salary benchmarking is essential for employers when structuring a competitive compensation package, evaluating current team salaries, or understanding industry standards.
Our report provides employers with the data and insights needed to make informed decisions, helping them to attract and retain top talent within primary care.
Compass Associates’ 2026 salary data shows that Clinical Lead GPs earn on average £123,750 nationally, rising to £125,000 in London. These roles offer a powerful way to retain experienced clinicians by allowing them to develop in areas such as leadership, mentoring, and service design.
“Clinical Lead positions are a strategic retention tool. They acknowledge expertise and offer a pathway for GPs who want to grow without leaving the practice setting,” explains Louise Holmes, Divisional Manager at Compass Associates.
Download our salary benchmarking report
What should employers offer GPs to improve retention and attract good candidates?
- Protected leadership time within the job plan
- Funded training in quality improvement, governance, or education
- Involvement in operational decisions, such as rota planning or CQC strategy
- Support to transition into Medical Director or PCN-wide roles
Clear progression from salaried GP to leadership not only improves morale but also strengthens practice governance and long-term sustainability.
Looking to attract talented GPs and keep them long-term?
We work with GP partnerships and PCNs to map out these career ladders, ensuring recruitment is forward-thinking and aligned to workforce planning. Through strategic job design and proactive talent mapping, Compass Associates helps employers keep their best GPs engaged and growing.
If you’d like to understand how your packages stack up against your competition or how to futureproof your workforce, our consultants are happy to help.
Looking for your next role in Primary Care?
Our Healthcare team is comprised of two dedicated teams focusing on mid to senior level management and clinical vacancies exclusively across the private acute, consumer health, digital health, diagnostics, primary care, secondary care and community markets, covering the whole of the UK.