Top 10 Highest Paying Countries For Doctors 2023
The amount of salaries doctors earn around the world differ. In some countries, doctors earn high while some earn low in some countries too. Therefore, if you are a doctor and thinking of relocating to practice in a country that pays a high doctor salary, this list of highest paying countries for doctors will guide you to make the right choice.
Doctors are important members of the health workforce. A doctor treats the sick or injured and provides care to those who are seemingly healthy. Having received an education, training and licensure in the science of medicine, the work of a doctor is no small feat and the process of becoming one has its perks of challenges. These individuals undergo intense and extensive training which is not cheap, to say the least. At the very minimum, it takes eight-plus years to become a doctor, and even longer for highly specialized medical fields. Why you might wonder? Their job deals with life, that of their patients and theirs too. Because the profession in itself is risky, they have to be very proficient at it.
Apart from the many other reasons people have to study medicine, doctors generally are very passionate about their profession. However, I must confess healthcare systems vary greatly between countries. To put it another way, whilst some doctors may work in a very comfortable setting, others suffer daily owing to a lack of equipment, lengthy working hours, and a lack of support staff. Add in the low pay, and you have the perfect combination for doctors to consider immigration as a way to better their personal and professional lives.
Highest Paying Countries For Doctors
Here’s a list of the top 10 countries for a doctor to work in. These are the highest-paying countries for doctors.
1. Australia
Australia is an excellent area to pursue a medical career. A country where about 30.50% of its doctors are foreign-trained, Australia readily welcomes physicians from other countries. This is to make up for the shortcomings in its healthcare system.
It is also one of the highest-paying countries for physicians, with specialists receiving up to $247,000 and general practitioners about $91,000 each year. Doctors have some of the best working conditions in the world. Work hours are reduced to ensure that they are not excessively long, an advanced support system is provided and doctors are not overworked. Professional benefits are also enjoyed by doctors in this country.
2. Netherlands
The Netherlands is a doctor’s dream come true, thanks to its world-class healthcare system. Working conditions in the Netherlands are excellent, with rigorous legislation governing working hours for the general public. Doctors have shorter work hours and more vacation time.
The financial benefits are also fantastic, as they pay well. In the Netherlands, specialists can earn up to $253,000 per year, while general practitioners get around $117,000 per year. Doctors also gain professional benefits Netherlands’ top-notch healthcare system.
3. USA
By far, the United States is the best country for medical doctors to work. It has a high demand for doctors and 25% of doctors in the country are foreign-trained so those who wish to work here actually stand a chance. As for the pay, doctors get to take home a fat cheque, which is about $223,000 per year for a general practitioner while specialists make $329,000 per annum.
Although the workload in the US is also one of the highest in the entire world, the salary can be compensatory. In addition, with the US being home to some of the world’s most revered teaching hospitals where pioneering procedures and studies take place, Doctors also get to grow professionally, learning new skills on the job.
4. United Kingdom
Medical practice in the United Kingdom is a fantastic option. It boasts a functioning healthcare system despite having one of the world’s most severe healthcare personnel shortages. The UK is a doctor’s paradise, especially for doctors migrating from third-world nations, with tens of thousands of opportunities for health workers across all streams.
On average, specialists earn $174,068 a year, compared to $85,250 for general practitioners. There is a pleasant working environment with a reasonable workload, and doctors might opt to spend additional hours in private practice because of the flexible hours. Pensions, life insurance, and assurance benefits are some of the extra benefits available.
5. Ireland
Irrespective of its weather, Ireland is a great country to move to as a medical practitioner. This is a country in need of medical doctors. According to statistics, foreign-trained doctors account for around 36.10 per cent of Ireland’s physician population. With the facilities, work-life, and lifestyle that the Irish government offers, efficient doctors around the world are highly motivated and influenced to migrate and stay in this country thereby filling up the critical gaps in its health service system.
In addition to this, it is one of the highest paying countries for doctors with specialists receiving an average of $143,000 yearly and general practitioners about $90,000. Interestingly, Specialists have the option to charge a fee for consultation and more if it extends past a specified number of minutes thus earning more than the average pay.
6. Luxemburg
Luxembourg is in desperate need of physicians. The market, however, is extremely competitive due to the country’s small population. One thing to keep in mind is that individuals from an EU member state or a member of the European Economic Area, as well as doctors from third-world countries with a valid residency permit or international protection, are given priority.
According to the OECD, doctors in Luxembourg earn an average of $357,300 per year, with general practitioners earning up to $278,900 and specialists earning up to $352,300. This demonstrates that the government compensates its doctors well and provides them with other benefits such as free transportation and housing.
7. Switzerland
Switzerland is an economically prosperous country with one of the highest salaries in the world for a variety of occupations, including medicine. It has a comprehensive healthcare system equipped with cutting-edge medical technologies. Switzerland is an excellent area for doctors to work because of the high salary it offers. A specialist can earn around $130,000 per year on average, whereas general practitioners can earn roughly $116,000 per year.
Furthermore, because no policies bound doctors to their profession, the country offers them entrepreneurial flexibility. With about 27% of its doctors being foreign-trained, the biggest problem one would have with this country is the language barrier. As a result, medical practitioners interested in practicing here must be fluent in French, German, and Italian.
8. Canada
Canada is a good country for a doctor to practice. Due to its doctors finding their way to the USA for better conditions, Canada currently faces a shortage of doctors. With this situation in play, Doctors are in such high demand that Canada is open to welcoming doctors from other countries, providing them with other appealing benefits like vacation, sick leave, maternity leave, and study leave. In addition, Canada offers about $161,000 to specialists and around $107,000 to general practitioners per year which is decent pay.
9. New Zealand
Although Australia typically has an edge when it comes to high-paying salaries for most professions over New Zealand, when it comes to medicine New Zealand is also a great place to work in. For English-speaking doctors, New Zealand is a popular immigration destination. Because the country supports foreign-trained doctors, about 42.60 percent of its doctors are foreign-trained.
Operating a private and public healthcare system, New Zealand offers decent pay. Currently, available estimates show that specialists can expect to receive an average of $138,000 yearly. In addition, it provides one of the best working conditions in the world.
10. Denmark
Denmark is also a fantastic place to work for doctors. Denmark is in desperate need of doctors, as the country currently has a medical staffing shortfall. Doctors are well compensated, with specialists earning an average of $91,000 per year and general practitioners earning around $109,000 per year. General practitioners are paid more in Denmark than specialists. In addition, the workload is relatively low. Linguistic barriers, on the other hand, may make it difficult to work in Denmark.