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In 2026, the general grades remuneration of the Hospital Authority (HA) is calculated under the HA General Grades Pay Scale (HGPS), and the amount at each salary point is the same as under the Master Pay Scale (MPS). A newly recruited registered nurse starts at HGPS point 15 (monthly salary of HK$35,780 from 1 April 2026), with the maximum salary at point 25 (monthly salary of HK$57,580). A resident doctor starts at around HK$72,000, and a specialist consultant doctor can earn over HK$170,000 a month. For the 2026/27 year, civil servants received a uniform 2% pay rise, and HA remuneration is adjusted with reference to it.

HA Remuneration System Overview

The Hospital Authority is the largest public healthcare institution in Hong Kong, managing 43 public hospitals and healthcare institutions, with over 90,000 employees. HA’s remuneration system is mainly divided into four categories:

  1. Medical Grades: From resident doctor, specialist doctor, associate consultant to consultant doctor, the pay range spans from the upper points of the Master Pay Scale to the Directorate Pay Scale (DPS). In 2026, resident doctors earn about HK$72,000 to HK$130,000 per month, and consultant doctors about HK$155,000 to HK$179,000 per month.

  2. Nursing Grades: From enrolled nurse, registered nurse, advanced practice nurse to ward manager, the pay range corresponds to MPS point 7 to MPS point 33A. In 2026, registered nurses earn HK$35,780 to HK$57,580 per month, and advanced practice nurses can reach HK$83,975.

  3. Allied Health Grades: Covers physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, medical laboratory technologists, pharmacists, etc. In 2026, newly recruited Grade II allied health staff earn HK$34,075 per month (point 14), and Grade I allied health staff earn HK$57,580 to HK$83,975 per month (points 25 to 33A).

  4. General and Support Grades: Includes patient services assistants, clerical grades, technical support, etc., with the pay range covering the lowest to mid-range MPS points.

2026 HA Salary Details for Major Grades

The following are the monthly salary ranges for major HA grades in 2026. The figures for nursing and allied health grades are calculated based on HGPS/MPS salary points effective from 1 April 2026 (reflecting the 2% increase); the figures for medical grades are approximate and are subject to HA recruitment advertisements:

Medical Grades:

  1. Resident Doctor (Resident): Monthly salary about HK$72,000 to HK$130,000 (specific salary points are subject to HA recruitment announcements). After completing six years of specialist training, a resident doctor may be promoted to specialist doctor.

  2. Specialist Doctor (Specialist): MPS points 44A to 45, monthly salary about HK$130,000 to HK$155,000. Must hold Fellowship of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.

  3. Associate Consultant: MPS points 45 to 47, monthly salary about HK$155,000 to HK$170,000.

  4. Consultant Doctor (Consultant): Directorate Pay Scale (DPS) point 1, monthly salary about HK$172,000 to HK$179,000.

Nursing Grades:

  1. Enrolled Nurse: HGPS points 7 to 21, monthly salary HK$22,590 to HK$47,950.

  2. Registered Nurse: HGPS points 15 to 25, monthly salary HK$35,780 to HK$57,580.

  3. Advanced Practice Nurse: HGPS points 26 to 33A, monthly salary HK$60,290 to HK$83,975.

  4. Ward Manager: HA Management Pay Scale (HMPS) points 1 to 9, monthly salary HK$60,290 to HK$83,975.

Allied Health Grades:

  1. Grade II Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist / Radiographer: MPS points 14 to 24, monthly salary HK$34,075 to HK$55,060.

  2. Grade I Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist: MPS points 25 to 33A, monthly salary HK$57,580 to HK$83,975.

  3. Senior Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist: MPS points 34 to 39, monthly salary HK$83,975 to HK$99,525.

  4. Pharmacist: Grade II pharmacist starts at MPS point 20 (monthly salary HK$45,660), and a Grade I pharmacist can reach MPS point 33A (monthly salary HK$83,975).

Patient Services Assistant (PCA):

  1. Grade IIIA Patient Services Assistant: MPS points 3 to 9, monthly salary about HK$15,000 to HK$23,000.

  2. Grade IIIB Patient Services Assistant: MPS points 8 to 15, monthly salary about HK$22,000 to HK$35,060.

Impact of 2026 Pay Adjustment on HA Employees

On 16 June 2026, the Chief Executive in Council decided on a uniform 2% pay rise for civil servants for the 2026/27 year, with retrospective effect from 1 April 2026. The annual pay adjustment for HA employees is made with reference to the civil service pay adjustment and must be approved by the HA Board; the nursing grades salary table published by the Hong Kong Nurses Association in July 2026 shows that the amounts at each HGPS point have been calculated based on the new amounts effective from 1 April 2026. The key points are as follows:

  1. Scope of Adjustment: The pay adjustment for HA employees covers basic salary and various allowances, including shift allowance, uniform allowance and transport allowance. The adjustment to basic salary is made with reference to the civil service, but the allowance portion is handled independently according to contract terms.

  2. Retrospective Period: The adjustment is effective retrospectively from 1 April 2026, and the difference from April onwards is back-paid upon disbursement.

  3. Frontline Allowance: Since 2021, HA has implemented a “frontline service pay adjustment”, providing additional monthly allowances (about HK$1,600 to HK$3,200) for nurses and allied health staff, independent of the basic salary adjustment, which remains in place in 2026.

Notes for HA Job Seekers

If you are considering applying for a position at HA, the following points are worth noting:

  1. Recruitment Pathways: Medical grades require registration with the Medical Council; nursing grades require a registration certificate from the Nursing Council of Hong Kong; allied health staff require relevant professional qualifications. All HA positions require passing recruitment interviews and assessments.

  2. Promotion Ladder: HA has a clear promotion system, and generally an application for promotion can be made every 3 to 5 years. Employees with good performance may progress point by point along the pay scale (one point per year) until reaching the maximum salary point of that grade.

  3. Contract and Permanent Establishment: In recent years HA has recruited more on a contract basis, generally with contract periods of 1 to 3 years, with renewal subject to performance. The remuneration and benefits of contract staff are largely the same as those on permanent establishment, but retirement protection differs.

FAQ

Q1: Can non-local healthcare professionals work at HA?

Yes. HA operates a “limited registration” and “special registration” system that allows non-locally trained doctors and nurses to practise in Hong Kong. The 2026 Policy Address further relaxed the recruitment threshold for non-local healthcare professionals. Non-local doctors must pass the Licensing Examination of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, while nurses must apply for registration or enrolment with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong. Remuneration is the same as for locally trained employees.

Q2: How does HA’s remuneration compare with private hospitals?

Private hospital remuneration is market-driven and is generally 10% to 30% higher than HA’s, with the gap being more pronounced for specialist doctors and senior nurses. However, HA offers a more stable promotion ladder, higher retirement protection (provident fund contributions of up to 15% to 18%), and more training resources and specialist development opportunities. Many healthcare professionals choose to accumulate experience at HA before moving to the private market.

Q3: Which HA grades are most short-staffed in 2026?

According to the HA Annual Report and industry observations, the grades most short-staffed in 2026, in order, are: doctors (especially in Accident and Emergency, Medicine and Psychiatry), registered nurses (all specialties), radiographers, medical laboratory technologists and physiotherapists. HA provides additional recruitment allowances and training opportunities for grades that are difficult to recruit, and some specialties offer retention bonuses.

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