A career in medicine promises stability and long-term employment, but salaries within the healthcare field can vary widely depending on several key factors such as specialization, level of expertise/experience, and advanced surgical skills.
Another factor that drives up earning potential in the medical field is the risk level. Medical professionals who perform high-stakes procedures are compensated for the complexity and responsibility involved. Training duration matters too; careers that require many years of education and residency tend to offer higher financial rewards.
Beyond this, global demand and workforce scarcity influence how much medical professionals can earn, with certain specialists in short supply receiving significantly higher salaries. Understanding these factors helps explain why some medical careers rank among the highest-paying jobs globally.
20 Highest Paying Medical Careers
- Neurosurgeon – $564,098 per year
- Orthopedic Surgeon – $350,000 per year
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon – $300,000 per year
- Cardiologist – $379,965 per year
- Dermatologist – $250,000 per year
- Anesthesiologist – $300,000 per year
- Radiologist – $370,189 per year
- Oncologist – $464,000 per year
- Pediatric Surgeon – $301,655 per year
- Gastroenterologist – $283,203 per year
- Urologist – $458,518 per year
- General Physician – $250,000 per year
- Ophthalmologist – $312,757 per year
- General Surgeon – $401,000 per year
- Endocrinologist – $101,000 per year
- Interventional Radiologist – $300,000 per year
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – $223,210 per year
- Pharmacist (Clinical) – $111,513 per year
- Physician Assistant – $100,000 per year
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon – $250,000 per year
1. Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeon diagnose and perform brain and spine surgeries, treating tumors, trauma care, and conducting neurological evaluations on their patients. Their work involves high-risk procedures, making them some of the highest earners in medicine.
Some neurosurgeons choose to specialize in pediatric neurology, focusing on the treatment of children with conditions such as autism, behavioral disorders, or other neurological issues, while others specialize in adult treatment.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- General surgery internship after medical school (1 year)
- Neurosurgery Residency (5-7+ Years)
- State license and board certification
Neurosurgeon Salary: $564,098 per year.
2. Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedics is a broad field, and most orthopedic doctors choose to specialize in a specific area.
These specialists can perform surgery, but they are also trained to diagnose and treat conditions using non-surgical methods. Common specializations within orthopedics include treating injuries related to the hand, foot, fracture repairs, joint replacements, and sports injuries.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Orthopedic surgery residency (5 years)
- State license and board certification
Orthopedic Practitioner Salary: $350,000 per year.
3. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Plastic surgeons are doctors who correct injuries or birth defects that affect a person’s appearance or functions. They perform cosmetic procedures to improve form and function, and also perform reconstructive surgery to restore areas damaged by major illnesses, such as cancer, as well as cosmetic surgery to improve physical features.
Their areas of focus include the breasts and chest, arms, legs, hands, feet, external genitalia, face, mouth, ears, head, neck, and skin.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- General surgery internship after medical school (3 years)
- Plastic surgery residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Salary: $300,000 per year.
4. Cardiologist
Cardiologists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat diseases and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Their areas of specialization include high blood pressure, valve issues, and heart attacks.
While some focus on adult cardiology, others specialize in pediatric heart conditions, often those present from birth. Their primary responsibilities include managing heart disease, cardiac imaging, and preventive care.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Cardiology fellowship (3 years)
- Internal medicine residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Cardiologists’ Salary: $423,250 per year.
5. Dermatologist
Dermatologists treat skin, hair, and nail conditions, and often perform aesthetic procedures. They specialize in skin disease diagnosis, biopsies, laser treatments, acne/eczema care, hair loss, nail fungus, psoriasis, skin cancer, rosacea, etc.
Dermatologists perform various common procedures, including electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser surgery, excision surgery, Mohs surgery, and mole removal. Additionally, they treat damaged veins using sclerotherapy or laser treatments.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Internship (1 year)
- Dermatology residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Dermatologists’ Salary: $250,000 per year.
6. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists manage pain and anesthesia during surgeries and high-risk procedures. They are responsible for administering anesthesia, monitoring vital signs, and managing patients’ pain after surgery.
Before a procedure, they consult with the patient or doctor to assess overall health and create a safe anesthesia plan. They select the appropriate type of anesthesia, which can include general anesthesia for major operations, IV sedation to keep a patient relaxed during minor procedures, regional anesthesia (like an epidural) to numb a large area while the patient remains awake, or local anesthesia to numb a small, specific area via injection.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Anesthesiologist Internship (1 year)
- Anesthesiologist residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Anesthesiologists’ Salary: $300,000 per year.
7. Radiologist
Radiologists take and interpret medical imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds. They are responsible for diagnostic imaging, image-guided procedures, and consultations.
Radiologists are also responsible for operating the equipment that delivers focused radiation to tumors to shrink or eliminate cancers. Radiologists commonly specialise in areas such as interventional, oncology, or pediatric radiology.
Educational Paths:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Internship (1 year)
- Radiologist residency (4 years)
- State license and board certification
Radiologists’ Salary: $370,189 per year.
8. Oncologist
Oncologists treat cancer through chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies. They are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, identifying and discussing treatment options, including their benefits and side effects. They are also responsible for overseeing the patient’s treatment and managing post-treatment care.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Oncology fellowship (2 years)
- Internal medicine residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Oncologists’ Salary: $464,000 per year.
9. Pediatric Surgeon
Pediatric surgeons specialize in performing complex operations on patients from infancy through adolescence. The key responsibilities involve performing surgery for congenital defects, providing trauma care, and conducting neonatal procedures.
Their work encompasses both simple and complex procedures, frequently utilizing minimally invasive surgery techniques and collaborating with transplant teams when necessary.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Pediatric fellowship (2 years)
- General surgery residency (5 years)
- State license and board certification.
Pediatric Surgeon Salary: $301,655 per year.
10. Gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist specializes in the stomach and intestines, including the processes of digestion and nutrient absorption, waste removal, and the liver’s role in digestion. They treat conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and pancreatitis. They also conduct endoscopies, colonoscopies, and digestive disease treatment.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Gastroenterologist fellowship (3 years)
- Internal medicine residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Gastroenterologist Salary: $283,203 per year.
11. Urologist
Urologists specialize in diagnosing and treating urinary tract conditions. They focus on urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate care, and urinary surgeries.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Urology fellowship (2 years)
- Urology residency (5 years)
- State license and board certification.
Urologist Salary: $458,518 per year
12. Physician (General Practitioner)
General physicians provide primary care, treating a wide range of common illnesses. Their responsibilities involve a range of tasks such as examining patients, taking and maintaining medical histories, ordering, giving, and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and being responsible for patient care.
They can also offer advice on diet, hygiene, and preventative care, but they usually work hand-in-hand with other specialists to give the patient all-around care.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- General practice residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
General Physicians’ Salary: $250,000 per year.
13. Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists specialize in eye care, vision health, and eye surgeries. They also treat conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, detached retinas, and perform general eye exams. They perform various surgeries, including laser procedures.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Internship (1 year)
- Ophthalmologist residency (3 years)
- State license and board certification
Ophthalmologist Salary: $312,757 per year.
14. General Surgeon
General surgeons are doctors who perform a wide variety of operations on different parts of the body. They commonly perform procedures like abdominal surgeries, treating injuries from trauma, fixing hernias, or removing an appendix.
They also treat conditions such as physical abnormalities, traumatic injuries, breast cancer, and problems affecting the upper digestive system and the biliary system.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- General surgery residency (5 years)
- State license and board certification
General Surgeon Salary: $401,000 per year.
15. Endocrinologist
Endocrinologists are doctors who specialize in the endocrine system, which is the body’s network of hormone-producing glands, like the thyroid and pancreas.
They treat many conditions caused by hormonal imbalances, such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, problems with growth or fertility, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, and some cancers.
Since problems in other parts of the body can also affect the endocrine system, these specialists often work with your regular doctor or other specialists to create a complete treatment plan.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Internal medicine residency (4 years)
- State license and board certification
Endocrinologist Salary: $101,000 per year
16. Interventional Radiologist
Interventional radiologists are specialized physicians who use tiny tools and advanced imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to diagnose and treat various conditions throughout the body. Instead of performing traditional, open surgery, they use minimally invasive procedures, often requiring just a small cut in the skin.
This approach results in less pain, fewer risks, shorter stays in the hospital, and a much faster recovery time for patients.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Medical School, M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years)
- Interventional radiology residency (5 years)
- State license and board certification
Interventional Radiology Salary: $300,000 per year
17. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Nurse anesthetists, also known as CRNAs, administer anesthesia and provide pain management under a physician’s supervision.
They are highly educated medical professionals who monitor patients receiving and recovering from anesthesia, providing comprehensive care to a diverse patient population, administering anesthesia, and conducting pre-op assessments for both scheduled surgeries and emergency, life-threatening procedures.
Educational Path:
- A BNS degree (4 years)
- Doctoral degree (4 years)
- RN or APRN license and life support certifications
Nurse Anesthetists’ Salary: $223,210 per year.
18. Pharmacist (Clinical)
Clinical pharmacists work directly with healthcare teams to optimize medication therapy. The key responsibilities of a clinical pharmacist involve optimizing medication management and patient care by interacting directly with patients and their families, extensively discussing medical history, and performing preliminary evaluations.
Essential duties also include monitoring the impact of prescribed drug therapy to identify adverse reactions and side effects, and collaborating with the pharmacy and other healthcare practitioners to dispense medication accurately according to legal and organisational policies.
Educational Path:
- A Pharm. D. degree (4 years)
- (PGY-1/PGY-2) residency
- State license and board certification
Clinical Pharmacists’ Salary: $111,513 per year.
19. Physician Assistant (PA)
Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who work with doctors to diagnose and treat patients. Their main duties include performing physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, creating treatment plans, and prescribing medicine.
PAs can work in almost any area of medicine, such as pediatrics, surgery, or emergency medicine. They always work with a doctor’s supervision, and what they can do might change based on the supervising doctor and the state laws where they work.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
- PA program (2-3 years)
- Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the NCCPA, to earn the PA-C credential
- State license and board certification
Physician Assistant Salary: $100,000 per year
20. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly specialized medical professionals who perform surgical procedures on the mouth, jaw, face, and skull.
Their main responsibilities include corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma repair, wisdom tooth removal, placement of dental implants, and treatment for conditions like cleft palate, handling both complex tooth extractions and reconstructive facial surgery.
Educational Path:
- A bachelor’s degree, often pre-med (4 years)
- Dental school, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree (4 years)
- Residency (4-year track for oral and maxillofacial surgery only or 6-year track for dental school with a medical degree (MD) and surgical residency)
- State license and board certification
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Salary: $250,000–$500,000 per year
Conclusion
The medical field offers some of the highest-paying careers in the world, but the earning potential varies greatly depending on specialization, years of training, and global demand. Roles that involve complex procedures, high responsibility, or niche expertise tend to offer the most competitive salaries.
While the path to becoming a medical specialist is long and often expensive, many professionals find the investment worthwhile due to the job stability, global relevance, and the meaningful impact they make on patients’ lives.
Understanding each specialty’s salary range, training requirements, and responsibilities can help you choose the medical path that best aligns with your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which medical specialty is the highest paid globally?
Neurosurgery consistently ranks as the highest-paid medical specialty worldwide. Neurosurgeons perform highly complex brain and spine surgeries, which require extensive training and carry significant risk factors that drive their high salaries.
What is the most profitable field in medicine?
Surgical specialties, particularly neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery, are the most profitable. These fields involve advanced procedures that demand precision, specialization, and high responsibility.
Which doctors earn the most?
The top-earning doctors include neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and interventional cardiologists. Their advanced skills, patient demand, and limited global supply contribute to higher compensation.
How long does it take to become a specialist?
Becoming a medical specialist typically takes 10–14 years, depending on the field. This includes undergraduate education, medical school, residency, and sometimes fellowship training for subspecialties.
Is medicine worth the time and cost?
For many, yes. Although the training is long and financially demanding, a career in medicine offers strong job security, high earning potential, global mobility, and the opportunity to make a significant difference in people’s lives. The long-term return on investment, both financial and personal, can be substantial.