What surgeons get paid the most?

Asked by: Prof. Jaydon Hane  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (3 votes)

Neurosurgery Neurosurgery is the highest-paying medical job in the US. That's hardly surprising, seeing that neurosurgeons are also the most trained medical staff. They study for at least 15 years to gain extensive expertise in the nervous system, spinal cord, and brain.

Which type of surgeon makes the most money?

A neurosurgeon is the highest-paid doctor on our list. Neurosurgery encompasses surgery of the brain, spinal cord/column, and peripheral nerves. Aspiring neurosurgeons must complete at least a seven-year residency. The average annual compensation for neurosurgeons is $763,908, putting them at the top of our list.

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Dermatologists make $500,000 per year—and many only work four days a week | Fortune.

How much do top 1% doctors make?

Doctors like money

The average doctor earned $350,000, as of 2017, the researchers reported in a 2023 working paper, which is awaiting publication in the Quarterly Journal of Economics. The top 1% of physicians earned more than $1.7 million a year.

What is the hardest doctor to become?

What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.

How Much Money I Earn as a Doctor in London (FY2 VS FY1 Salary)

28 related questions found

What's the rarest type of doctor?

The rarest medical speciality are —1) MD aviation medicine —this is probably the most rarest post graduate speciality. 2) MD laboratory medicine 3) MD transfusion medicine 4) MD nuclear medicine 5) MD PMR .

What is the easiest surgeon to become?

Orthopedic surgery and certain areas of plastic surgery are frequently cited as relatively easier due to their straightforward nature, compared to more intricate specialties like neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery or trauma surgery.

Can a doctor make 300k a year?

$300,000 - $350,000

$300k Salary with $50k Signing Bonus. Salary: $300k - 350k per year + SIGN-ON BONUS. Join an experienced team of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine physicians in a supportive setting.

What is the lowest paying doctor?

1. Medical Genetics and Genomics. In the number 1 spot for lowest paid medical specialty is medical genetics and genomics at $244,517. Medical geneticists focus on the relationship between genes and health.

What is the highest-paid job?

List of Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the World
  • Chief Executive officer.
  • Professional Athletes.
  • General and Orthopedic Surgeons.
  • Anesthesiologist.
  • Investment Banker.
  • Corporate Lawyers.
  • Software Engineers.
  • Cosmetic Surgeons.

Are most doctors millionaire?

About 51% of doctors reach a net worth of $1 million or more, but this changes a lot based on their age and area of work. Younger doctors, especially those just starting out, usually have lower net worths. This is because they often have student loans and haven't had enough time to grow their savings.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

List of 25+ Highest Paying Jobs in the World
  • Engineering Manager.
  • Management Consultant.
  • Pilot.
  • Nurse Anesthetists.
  • Chief Executive Officer.
  • IoT Solutions Architect.
  • Senior Software Engineer.
  • Project Manager.

Why are neurosurgeons paid so much?

One of the reasons why neurosurgeons earn some of the highest salaries in the medical field is because they're required to spend much of their younger years in medical school. Needless to say, these extra years of study at a medical college come with a price tag.

Which surgeon is richest?

Dr Shamsheer's net worth has grown 68% this year, from $2.2 billion (₹18,295 crore) in 2022, making him the richest doctor in India.

How long do neurosurgeons go to school?

It takes approximately 14 to 16 years to become a neurosurgeon, including pre-med (undergrad) education, medical school, internship and residency. Neurosurgeons undergo one of the longest training periods of any medical specialty due to the complexity of the field of medicine.

How much does a doctor get paid for a total knee replacement?

It's recommended to consult industry reports or reliable sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on orthopedic surgeon earnings related to knee replacements. The payment may be as high as $3000 or as low as $300 or somewhere in between.

What is the highest paid surgeon?

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the highest-paying medical job in the US. That's hardly surprising, seeing that neurosurgeons are also the most trained medical staff. They study for at least 15 years to gain extensive expertise in the nervous system, spinal cord, and brain.

What is the lowest paid position in a hospital?

What Are the Lowest Paying Medical Careers?
  • Admitting Clerks. Admitting clerks are the front lines of hospitals. ...
  • Activity Aide. An activity aide is kind of like the master of ceremonies at a nursing home. ...
  • Dietary Aides. ...
  • Pharmacy Technician. ...
  • Nursing Aides.

Who gets paid more than doctors?

10 Careers That Make More Money Than a Doctor
  • 10 Air Traffic Controller.
  • 9 Lawyer.
  • 8 Judge.
  • 7 Airline Pilot.
  • 6 State Governor.
  • 5 Voice Actor.
  • 4 Large Commercial Farmer.
  • 3 Pro Gamer.

What doctors make $500,000 a year?

We break down the highest-paid medical specialties, including how many hours those doctors work and how many years of training it takes to get there.
  • Otolaryngology (ENT) ...
  • Gastroenterology. ...
  • Urology. ...
  • Radiology. ...
  • Vascular Surgery. ...
  • Cardiology. ...
  • Radiation Oncology. ...
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

What job makes $200,000 a year?

Most jobs that pay over $200k a year include doctors and lawyers, two fields that require education beyond a bachelor's degree, additional licensing, and specialized training.

What is the hardest surgeon to be?

What is the hardest surgeon to be? It's difficult to become any type of surgeon, but if you want to equate “longest” with “hardest,” then the answer is neurological surgery, which has a seven-year residency—the longest of all postgraduate surgical residencies. It is (often) brain surgery, after all.

Do you get paid during residency?

Some larger healthcare organizations offer competitive residency programs with supplemental compensation networks in addition to a base salary. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California residency program, for instance, provides benefits such as a housing stipend and meal allowance.

What GPA do you need to be a surgeon?

Admissions experts advise aspiring medical school students to aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher.