Top 10 Healthcare jobs in demand in the UK (2027)

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Top 10 Healthcare jobs in demand in the UK (2027)

The 10 healthcare jobs in demand in the UK in 2027 include community nurses, mental health nurses, healthcare support workers, diagnostic radiographers, sonographers, GPs, paramedics, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and care workers.

Demand remains high due to NHS workforce shortages, an ageing population, rising mental health needs, and the shift towards community-based care. This guide explains the demand, roles, salaries, and entry routes for each career.

Why Is Demand for Healthcare Workers Still High in the UK?

Vacancy rates have improved, but the NHS is far from fully staffed. According to NHS England Digital’s vacancy statistics, the NHS in England had a vacancy rate of 6.5% (97,475 posts) at 31 March 2026. Registered nursing, which includes midwives and health visitors, stood at 5.0% (21,643 vacancies), and medical staff at 4.5% (7,474 vacancies). All three were lower than a year earlier.

Three forces keep demand high heading into 2027:

An ageing population needs more long-term and community care.
Rising demand for mental health services is stretching services, and the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan identifies mental health nursing as a particular concern.
NHS reform is pushing care into neighbourhood settings. The government’s 10 Year Health Plan also aims to reduce international recruitment to below 10% by 2035, which means more UK-trained staff are needed.

The 10 Healthcare Jobs in Demand in the UK (2027) At a Glance

No	Job	Typical NHS band	2026/27 pay (England)	Main entry route
1	Community/adult nurse	Band 5	£32,073–£39,043	Nursing degree or apprenticeship
2	Mental health nurse	Band 5	£32,073–£39,043	Mental health nursing degree
3	Healthcare support worker	Band 2–3	From £25,272 to £27,476	No degree needed
4	Diagnostic radiographer	Band 5	£32,073–£39,043	Radiography degree
5	Sonographer	Band 7 (typically)	£49,387–£56,515	Radiography plus postgraduate ultrasound
6	GP	Separate doctors' scales	Varies (salaried or partner)	Medical degree plus GP training
7	Paramedic	Band 5	£32,073–£39,043	Paramedic science degree
8	Occupational therapist	Band 5	£32,073–£39,043	OT degree
9	Pharmacist	Band 6 (typically)	£39,959–£48,117	MPharm plus registration year
10	Care worker (social care)	Set by the employer	Varies by employer	No degree needed

Pay figures are Agenda for Change pay scales effective from 1 April 2026 for England, shown from entry to the top step point of the band. Doctors are paid under separate national scales, and social care pay is set by individual employers.

Entry pay is only the starting point. If you want to see how earnings can grow, this guide to the highest-paying careers in the UK after a Health & Social Care degree looks at where a qualification can lead over time.

1. Community and Adult Nurses

Why in demand: Care is moving out of hospitals and into homes and neighbourhoods. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan projected that the shortfall in community nurses will reach at least 37,000 full-time equivalents by 2036/37, up from 6,500 in 2021/22.

What they do: Provide clinical care in patients’ homes, GP practices and community clinics, including district nursing, wound care and long-term condition management.

How to get in: A nursing degree, a nursing degree apprenticeship, or a route from healthcare assistant to nursing associate to registered nurse.

2. Mental Health Nurses

Why in demand: The Long-Term Workforce Plan identified the current shortfall in mental health nursing as a particular concern, with the highest vacancy rates in inpatient services. It projected a total mental health nursing shortfall of 15,800 FTEs by 2036/37.

What they do: Assess, support, and treat people with conditions such as depression, psychosis, and anxiety across wards, crisis teams, and community services.

How to get in: A mental health nursing degree, then registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

3. Healthcare Support Workers (HCAs)

Why in demand: Among non-registered staff, healthcare support workers were projected to have the largest shortfall.

What they do: Help nurses and allied professionals with personal care, observations, and patient support.

How to get in: No degree is required. It is also a well-used stepping stone into nursing through apprenticeships.

4. Diagnostic Radiographers

Why in demand: Diagnostic expansion, including community diagnostic centres, needs more imaging staff. The Long-Term Workforce Plan lists diagnostic radiographers among the allied health professions where shortfalls are projected to grow the most. One industry source reports vacancy rates of around 13%, although this is not an official NHS figure.

What they do: Operate X-ray, CT, and MRI equipment to produce images used for diagnosis.

How to get in: An approved radiography degree, then HCPC registration.

5. Sonographers (Ultrasound Practitioners)

Why in demand: Ultrasound demand is high across maternity, general diagnostics and musculoskeletal services. One career guide reports that sonographer vacancy rates are among the highest of any NHS allied health profession, so treat this as a reported trend rather than an official statistic.

What they do: Perform and interpret ultrasound scans for conditions ranging from pregnancy monitoring to tumour detection.

How to get in: Usually a radiography degree followed by a postgraduate qualification in ultrasound, typically reaching Band 7.

6. GPs (General Practitioners)

Why in demand: Primary care is under pressure. The Long-Term Workforce Plan projected a shortfall of 15,000 qualified GPs by 2036/37. The government has also committed to recruiting thousands more GPs as part of its 10-year workforce plan.

What they do: Diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions and coordinate ongoing patient care.

How to get in: A medical degree, foundation training, then GP speciality training.

7. Paramedics

Why in demand: Paramedics are named among the allied health professions where shortfalls are projected to grow the most. Roles are also expanding beyond ambulances into urgent care, GP practices, and community teams.

What they do: Provide emergency and urgent care, assess patients on scene, and decide on treatment or conveyance.

How to get in: A paramedic science degree or an approved apprenticeship, with HCPC registration.

8. Occupational Therapists (OTs)

Why in demand: OTs are also named among the allied health professions with sharply growing projected shortfalls. Their role in helping people live independently supports hospital discharge and community care.

What they do: Help people of all ages adapt to injury, illness or disability through practical support and adjustments to daily living.

How to get in: An approved OT degree or degree apprenticeship, with HCPC registrati

9. Pharmacists

Why in demand: Pharmacists are increasingly working in GP practices, primary care networks, and community services, and the clinical role is expanding.

What they do: Review and optimise medicines, advise patients, and prescribe in some settings.

How to get in: A four-year MPharm degree, a foundation training year, then GPhC registration.

10. Care Workers (Adult Social Care)

Why in demand: Social care has long had high vacancy rates, and vacancies are consistently higher in non-residential care than in residential or nursing care (The King’s Fund, 2024 data). Immigration rules for overseas care workers have tightened, so check the latest visa position on GOV.UK before advising international applicants.

What they do: Support adults with personal care, mobility, medication, and daily living in care homes or their own homes.

How to get in: Entry-level roles with on-the-job training, typically through the Care Certificate.

Conclusion

Demand for healthcare jobs in the UK in 2027 will stay strong in community nursing, mental health, diagnostics, primary care, and social care. If you are choosing a career or changing direction, target roles with documented long-term shortages and check local vacancy data. Track new figures as they are released, with the next NHS vacancy statistics due on 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most in-demand healthcare job in the UK?

Nursing is the largest area of demand by headcount, with mental health and community nursing among the most pressured specialisms according to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

Which healthcare jobs pay the most in the UK?

Doctors, including consultants and GPs, earn the most, and they are paid under separate scales. Within the standard NHS bands, senior specialist and advanced practice roles reach Bands 8 and 9, which range from £57,528 to £129,783 in 2026/27.

Can I get a healthcare job in the UK without a degree?

Yes. Roles such as healthcare support worker and care worker do not require a degree, and apprenticeships can lead to registered roles.

Are NHS jobs still available if vacancy rates are falling?

Yes. Vacancy rates have improved, but there were still 97,475 vacancies in England in March 2026, and shortages are concentrated in specific roles and regions.