The average doctor salary by country is an important factor to consider when choosing a career as a doctor. It may determine where one can best practice their profession, and what value they will receive for their work. Dependent on nuances between countries and their economic situation, the average pay for doctors can vary greatly. Some of the highest paid doctors in the world practice medicine in countries such as Australia and South Africa which have great economic value, while other countries like France have a much lower salary than most other nations.
According to the data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the average salary of a doctor in the US is around $313,000 per year, which is significantly higher than the average salary of a doctor in the UK, which ranges from £80,000 to £150,000 per year.
| Country | Average Yearly Pay |
|---|---|
| United States | $316,000 |
| Canada | $194,777 |
| Germany | $183,000 |
| United Kingdom | $138,000 |
Best Country for Doctors to Earn Money
10 Highest Paying Countries for Doctors
10. Australia
- Specialists: $210,800
- GPs: $104,300
A perennial favourite of doctors going to work overseas and it’s easy to see why!
Great weather, high salaries, opportunities to travel and a real focus on work-life balance.
9. Netherlands
- Specialists: $200,300
- GPs: $137,500
Close to home, Netherlands offers good quality of life, the charismatic city of Amsterdam and a population of enthusiastic cyclists. In fact, according to a report by the European Commission, 36% of the population reports the bicycle as their most frequent mode of transportation!
8. Austria
- Specialists: $213,200
- GPs: $141,500
Mountains, lakes, metropolitan cities and classical music. You name it – Austria has it! A central European gem not to be overlooked for doctors who are looking to improve their German language skills.
7. Ireland
- Specialists: $209,000
- GPs: $164,700
Ireland scores consistently highly on best paying countries for both specialists and GPs.
Close to home and full of natural beauty – but bring your rain gear!
6. Switzerland
- Specialists: $228,000
- GPs: $172,800
Switzerland is a country that offers breathtaking landscapes, amazing opportunities for outdoor sports and umm… chocolate!
Divided into German, French, Italian and Romansh speaking parts, Switzerland is great for those with language skills or for those looking to improve them.
Beware though, it is very expensive! According to eurostat, Switzerland has the highest cost of living in Europe.
5. Canada
- Specialists: $249,000
- GPs: $158,200
Dramatic landscapes, cultural cities, clean air, great work-life balance. Probably not for the faint hearted during winter.
Canada is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in. It is recognized worldwide for its exceptionally high quality of life, progressive political environment and one of the healthiest economies in the world.
4. Germany
- Specialists: $222,700
- GPs: $214,700
Another German-speaking country making the top 10 of highest paying countries for doctors!
Germany is known for its affordable cost of living, wonderful and hearty cuisine and welcoming culture. And if beer is your thing, you’ll feel right at home here!
3. Belgium
- Specialists: $331,200
- GPs: $138,700
Another close to home option that offers amazing salary opportunities for both specialists and GPs!
Belgium is divided into French, Flemish and a few German speaking parts, and offers local delicacies such as mussels, fries and waffles. No lack of cultural experiences and a much cheaper alternative to London!
2. USA
- Specialists: $350,300
- GPs: $242,400
The United States offers great professional development opportunities and pay for their doctors. A country of great diversity, there are many options to travel both within the US and to Central & South America. If you are planning on practicing in the United States keep in mind that you will have to sit the three-step USMLE exam before you can do so. Check out our Guide to Working in the USA.
1. Luxembourg
- Specialists: $352,300
- GPs: $278,900
A surprise winner – Luxembourg tops the list!
A small nation with just above six-hundred-thousand, Luxembourg offers a cultural mix between its neighbours Germany and France. This is reflected in the three official languages; German, French and the national language of Luxembourgish.
This often overlooked gem in western Europe offers exceptionally high pay for both GPs and specialists and a fantastically central location within Europe for travel outside of working hours!
average medical doctor salary by country
what country are doctors paid the most in Europe
1. United Kingdom
Even though UK doctors flock to Australia to work, they make a salary worth sticking around for. Sadly, doctors in the UK, are often overworked and understaffed in hospitals. Specialists here make a salary of $150,000 annually, whereas general practitioners make $118,000 roughly.
With Brexit, the medical profession, just like other sectors in the country, faces uncertainties which need to be sorted out. However, the UK is among the countries that offer great financial aid to its medical students. That is definitely good news, for students who wish to take up medicine.
2. France
France definitely could be the perfect place to live in. With its beautiful cities, the sweet dialect, this could be a perfect haven for doctors. In addition to their love for art, croissants, wine and Paris, France pays its doctors really well.
In France, there is a pharmacy in almost every corner of the street. Specialists here earn approximately an average of $149,000 and GP`s roughly earn $92,000 annually. France is a place to enjoy the finer things, of life, and definitely thumbs up for doctors living there.
3. Ireland
The North Atlantic Island stands at eighth position, in the list of highest pay for doctors. In Ireland, Specialists earn an average of $143,000, whereas general practitioners earn approximately $90,000 annually. Here the pay isn’t much higher than in other countries, here the specialists conduct private and public work.
Based on the type and level of specialist, doctors could charge, $200 – $300 or more for 15 – 20-minute consultation. Hence the total amount of money, that they earn, is higher than the average amount of $143,000. Hence if one is an English speaking Doctor, and doesn’t mind about the weather, he could make a move to Ireland.
4. Switzerland
The mountainous Central European country, with numerous lakes, villages is also home to the high Alpine peaks. Its neutral country consistency makes Switzerland, one of the best places to live in. Switzerland caters to a high quality of life.
Good health and education make up Switzerland’s, high standards of living. Doctors go home with good pay. Specialists make an impressive $130,000, whereas general practitioners make approximately $116,000 annually.
5. Denmark
Questionnaire of Survey on Costs of Medical Manipulations and Funding of Medical Staff across the European Countries
Denmark officially known, as the Kingdom of Denmark, is a Scandinavian country in Europe and also a Sovereign state. It is the only Scandinavian country to make it to the top ten list. The Danes actually pay General physicians more than the specialists.
The specialists earn an average of $91,000 annually, whereas general practitioners earn approximately $109,000 annually. Although there isn’t much of a difference between the pay of the specialists and general practitioners, it is quite strange.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand is a country of the south-western Pacific Ocean. It consists of two islands, both marked by volcanoes and glaciations. The Specialists in New Zealand are paid $86,000 on an average annually. The general practitioners make around $78,000 annually.
7. Germany
As Europe’s modern economic powerhouse, Germany is well placed to offer attractive salaries, and doctors are no exception. The average yearly take home for specialists sits at around $149,990, funded in the majority by a complex, multi-payer health system, so if your German is up to scratch then why not consider heading to the lan
8. Norway
It is a Scandinavian country, encompassing Glaciers, Mountains and coastal fjords. Norway is a socialist country where there are a number of taxes to be paid. Here a Doctor can expect to earn a decent amount, nothing that fancies though. Specialists make around $77,000 while general practitioners earn approximately $66,000.
9. Sweden
Sweden is a Scandinavian country with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes. Specialists in this country earn around $76,000. General practitioners take home approximately $66,000.
10. Finland
In Finland, specialists earn $74,000 annually, whereas general practitioners go home with a sum of $68,000. Hence, in Finland, a general practitioner earns less than half of what doctors earn in the US.
lowest doctor salary by country
• Country’s GDP spend on health ranks 109th out of 191
• Only 50% of registered 72,000 doctors work in Nigeria
Nigerian doctors are among the least paid worldwide. Doctors in 45 other African countries are better paid than their Nigerian counterparts.
The Guardian investigation revealed that, of all 55 African countries, Nigerian doctors (lowest salary of $320) are better paid than their counterparts only in Sudan ($66), Cameroon ($300), Egypt ($157), Guinea Conakry ($102), Zimbabwe ($83), Uganda ($300), Algeria ($265), Burundi ($100), Ethiopia ($300).
Immediate past president of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Segun Olaopa, noted that the comparison might not be fairly contextualised in absolute terms, because “a very senior doctor who gets about $1,200 cannot, for instance, (cannot) be compared with another who, perhaps, trained in Nigeria and earns more than $10,000 monthly or whose currency devaluation of equal pay puts him at a cataclysmic disadvantage. For instance, $500 dollars in Nigeria earned by doctors cannot be equivalent in pay to the same amount in a country like Ghana. Even when we look in absolute terms, the Nigerian doctor’s pay is very terrible, irrespective of the calculating index.”
Olaopa explained that, in the outline of public doctors’ salaries, those in central hospitals were paid by the Federal Government. “Any doctor in this category can have a salary range of N195, 000 and N220, 000. Notably, this salary is exclusive of several reductions in taxes and others. For entry-level doctors, who are in state-owned hospitals, the salaries vary from one state to another. Medical doctors in a few Nigerian states are paid the minimum of N150, 000 on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, the maximum salary an entry-level doctor in a state-owned hospital may receive is N240, 000. This is low when compared to what senior medical consultants and senior doctors are paid as monthly salary. In fact, some of these medical professionals are paid as high as N800, 000 on a monthly basis.”
With the statistics, according to Olopa, “salaries of public doctors are subject to increment and, as a medical doctor working in a government-owned hospital, your salary increases based on your qualifications, specialty, experience, professionalism, and event duration.”
A breakdown of doctors’ salary scale in all 55 African countries published by Nigerian Health Blog on October 27, 2019, noted that “at entry-level, a doctor (house officer) earns an average of N170,000 ($470), an average middle-level medical doctor (junior resident) earns N270,000 ($746) per month. A senior registrar earns up to N400,000 ($1,106) as monthly wages, while a consultant/specialist rakes in N650,000 ($1,800) and above, depending on the level. Some consultants in Nigeria may earn up to N1.2 million monthly ($3,100 monthly). These salaries are at the whims and caprices of the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs), who may decide to slash it as they wish. This is very common, and they go unchecked. Also, junior doctors in the private hospital sector earn between N80, 000, and N130,000 monthly ($221 – $360).”
According to Nigeria’s Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) dated April 2019, the highest-paid medical doctor on CONMESS 7, Level 9 earns N8,517,892 ($22,062.86) per annum.
This means that the highest-paid medical doctor in Nigeria on CONMESS 7, Level 9 earns N709,824.33 ($1,838.57) per month.
Meanwhile, Emigration of Nigerian Medical Doctors Survey Report, published by NOI Polls and Nigeria Health Watch has provided reasons why Nigerian doctors are some of the least paid and most migrated in the world.
According to the report, “It is on record that doctors in America and Europe are paid better than their counterparts in Africa. An outpatient and emergency physician in Ghana earn an annual gross salary of GH¢40,000, equivalent to N2,863,163. The figure in naira equals to approximately N240,000 monthly salary. Similarly, there are also reports of medical doctors in Sierra-Leone who earn up to $2,000 per month, translating to roughly N700,000. In contrast, while doctors under federal government employment in Nigeria can earn a gross monthly salary of between N195,000 and N220,000, their colleagues in state government employees earn between N150,000 and N240,000. However, doctors employed by private hospitals in Nigeria earn as low as N80,000 (GH¢1,118) monthly.”
A breakdown of the findings of the report showed that only 3,000 to 3,500 doctors graduate from medical schools yearly. Nigeria has about 72,000 registered doctors but only 35,000 practise in the country. Nigeria needs 303,333 medical doctors at present, and at least 10,605 new ones yearly, to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) recommendation on the doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:600. It was also found that 88 per cent of doctors working in Nigerian hospitals seek work opportunities abroad because of high taxes/deductions from salary as well as low work satisfaction, and poor salary/emoluments.
INVESTIGATION showed that the Nigerian government’s expenditure on health as a proportion of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is relatively low in comparison to other countries’. According to 2012 data analysed by the CIA World Factbook, Nigeria ranks 109th out of 191 countries in terms of the proportion of GDP spent on health with 6.10 per cent.
highest paying countries for doctors in africa
According to data by Numbeo -the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries (living conditions including cost of living) worldwide. Below are the Top 10 African countries that pays the highest Salary…
Top 10 African Countries That Pays The Highest Salary
Top 10 African countries that pays the highest Salary
- Libya
This desert and oil-rich country in the Maghreb region in Africa is mostly known for four decades of rule by Muammar Gaddafi and the chaos that followed after his death. And even with the current political chaos and deteriorating security, the average monthly net salary after tax in Libya is $1,713.77, far better than all other African countries, even those with stability. - Zambia
According to the data on the site, the cost of living and rent in Zambia is low and the country also has an average monthly salary of $1,482.22.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is also capped at $1607.36.
- South Africa
South Africa -the continent’s mining powerhouse- wasn’t left out in the list, Numbeo says the average monthly net salary after tax in South Africa is $1,188.89. Though whites still have the best quality of life in the country, it still offers unique experience for all inhabitants.
The country also has the highest number of wealthy persons in Africa.
- Namibia
Nambia’s economy heavily depends on the extraction and processing of minerals for exports. Mining accounts for 11.5% of GDP but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Though the country economy is currently suffering some set-backs due to the world commodity price fluctuations and droughts, people in Namibia are still paid an average monthly salary of $753.73. - Mauritius
Located off the southeast coast of Africa, this tiny Island is now referred to as Africa’s most competitive economy
Related: Top 10 Smallest Countries in Africa by Land Area
According to World bank, Mauritius is considered the easiest African nation to do business in. With low tax rates that are very attractive to outsiders. The country also pay an average monthly salary of $666.66. It’s no wonder they are the second most happiest country in Africa.
Read Also: Top 10 African Countries that Pay the Highest Minimum Wage (2019)
- Tanzania
This is the 6th highest paying economy in Africa with an average monthly salary of $422.57.
According to World Bank, the country has maintained relatively stable, high growth over the last decade, recording a 7 percent per annum. The poverty rate has declined and the political stability driven by John Magufuli remains the foundation of Tanzania’s strong economic performance.
- Morocco
Since October 2016, Morocco has been undergoing political decay. The country now has a broad coalition formed by six parties. Agricultural production presents 15 percent of country’s GDP and though affected by drought in 2016, the country had a record cereal production in 2015. Macroeconomic policies and subsidy reforms have improved the country by miles. GDP is expected to shoot to 3.7 per cent and agricultural GDP by 10 per cent. These positive developments couple with a salary of $402.41 should motivate you to move to Morocco.
Related: Top 10 Smallest Countries in Africa by Land Area
- Zimbabwe
Workers in Zimbabwe, (also known as the land of late Robert Mugabe) earn an average monthly salary -after tax has been deducted- of $352.78. - Ghana
The country boasts of an independent judicial system, and freedom of press and speech. Workers in the country get paid an average of $313.00 per month. - Algeria
Despite low global oil prices, the Algerian economy grew at 3.8% in 2016. The average monthly salary after tax in the country is $295.22.
highest paying countries for surgeons
Doctors have a stressful job, and not everyone could be an excellent physician. It takes a lot of time and hard work to become a doctor. However, the salary you can expect after completing your studies and passing the exams is one great reward that compensates all your efforts.In this article we take a closer look at the financial remuneration that you can expect to receive in some of the highest paying countries for doctors.
There are wonderful benefits to working abroad (aside from financial reasons). These include :
- Improved professional skills
- Renewing your passion for medicine
- Personal Development
- Learning new non-medical skills
All salaries are shown in dollars and purchasing power parity (PPP) for comparative purposes. PPP is a theoretical exchange rate that permits the comparison of the purchasing power of different currencies, and allows us to directly compare the following salaries from multiple different countries.
The following salaries are the average remuneration for specialists and GPs, with the ranking based on an average of the two combined. Salaries have primarily been compiled from the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the Doximity Report on Physician Compensation, with all numbers being up to date as of May 2020.
best country for doctors to earn money
10. Australia
- Specialists: $210,800
- GPs: $104,300
A perennial favourite of doctors going to work overseas and it’s easy to see why!
Great weather, high salaries, opportunities to travel and a real focus on work-life balance.
9. Netherlands
- Specialists: $200,300
- GPs: $137,500
Close to home, Netherlands offers good quality of life, the charismatic city of Amsterdam and a population of enthusiastic cyclists. In fact, according to a report by the European Commission, 36% of the population reports the bicycle as their most frequent mode of transportation!
8. Austria
- Specialists: $213,200
- GPs: $141,500
Mountains, lakes, metropolitan cities and classical music. You name it – Austria has it! A central European gem not to be overlooked for doctors who are looking to improve their German language skills.
7. Ireland
- Specialists: $209,000
- GPs: $164,700
Ireland scores consistently highly on best paying countries for both specialists and GPs.
Close to home and full of natural beauty – but bring your rain gear!
6. Switzerland
- Specialists: $228,000
- GPs: $172,800
Switzerland is a country that offers breathtaking landscapes, amazing opportunities for outdoor sports and umm… chocolate!
Divided into German, French, Italian and Romansh speaking parts, Switzerland is great for those with language skills or for those looking to improve them.
Beware though, it is very expensive! According to eurostat, Switzerland has the highest cost of living in Europe.
5. Canada
- Specialists: $249,000
- GPs: $158,200
Dramatic landscapes, cultural cities, clean air, great work-life balance. Probably not for the faint hearted during winter.
Canada is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in. It is recognized worldwide for its exceptionally high quality of life, progressive political environment and one of the healthiest economies in the world.
4. Germany
- Specialists: $222,700
- GPs: $214,700
Another German-speaking country making the top 10 of highest paying countries for doctors!
Germany is known for its affordable cost of living, wonderful and hearty cuisine and welcoming culture. And if beer is your thing, you’ll feel right at home here!
3. Belgium
- Specialists: $331,200
- GPs: $138,700
Another close to home option that offers amazing salary opportunities for both specialists and GPs!
Belgium is divided into French, Flemish and a few German speaking parts, and offers local delicacies such as mussels, fries and waffles. No lack of cultural experiences and a much cheaper alternative to London!
2. USA
- Specialists: $350,300
- GPs: $242,400
The United States offers great professional development opportunities and pay for their doctors. A country of great diversity, there are many options to travel both within the US and to Central & South America. If you are planning on practicing in the United States keep in mind that you will have to sit the three-step USMLE exam before you can do so. Check out our Guide to Working in the USA.
1. Luxembourg
- Specialists: $352,300
- GPs: $278,900
- A surprise winner – Luxembourg tops the list!
A small nation with just above six-hundred-thousand, Luxembourg offers a cultural mix between its neighbours Germany and France. This is reflected in the three official languages; German, French and the national language of Luxembourgish.
This often overlooked gem in western Europe offers exceptionally high pay for both GPs and specialists and a fantastically central location within Europe for travel outside of working hours!
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