For many, the desire to pursue a career in healthcare is born of one to help others and make a positive impact on society – but many paths come with the added bonus of generous salaries that can afford them a luxurious lifestyle and allow them to live their lives during downtime to the fullest.
The road to some of the highest-paying salaries in the world isn’t an easy one, and often, many years of study, training, hands-on experience and specialisation are required to make it to the very top. Even those who have studied degrees in other fields can convert to a career in healthcare with a postgraduate public health qualification, but the majority begin by attending medical school straight after completing their A-Levels at secondary school, do their residency, then decide whether to take a specialist route later on.
Skilled specialists within the healthcare and medicine spheres remain in high-demand across the globe, and are some of the top earners in most regions. So if you’re eager to pursue this fulfilling and purposeful path as well as the salary that comes with it, here are the top professions in the field that could just be your ticket to the luxury lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.
Surgeons
Surgeons are easily some of the highest-paid professionals in the healthcare sector, and require meticulous attention to detail and carefully time-honed skills that can save lives. Becoming a surgeon can take anywhere from 10-15 years of study and training in the UK – including medical school, residency and further specialist training – but while the journey to get there might be a long one, those who make it all the way can expect to be rewarded with salaries ranging from £200,000 – £400,000 depending on whether they work privately or within the NHS.
Neurosurgeons are typically some of the highest-paid of them all, and those who pursue this path within a private clinic can expect to reap even higher financial rewards.
Anaesthetists
Anaesthetists are often the unsung heroes of operating theatres, playing a crucial role in prepping patients for surgery and seeing them through it safely. But while the importance of their input might be overlooked by some, the skill and technique required to manage sedation and monitor patients’ vital signs throughout is certainly recognised in a monetary sense, with salaries of top anaesthesiologists ranging from £180,000 to £300,000 annually.
Training can take upwards of 14 years, with seven of those dedicated to speciality training in anaesthesia itself. But the high level of responsibility and technical knowledge required to get there makes this another of the best-paid professions in healthcare.
Medical specialists
From cardiologists to gastroenterologists, specialists within various areas of medicine also command six-figure salaries because their in-depth knowledge and valuable expertise ensure that patients with specific health issues can get the care they need from a dedicated professional.
Cardiology is one of the top-paid paths, and NHS consultants can expect to earn up to £120,000 early on and up to £180,000 as their years of experience increase. Those specialising within private medical care can command salaries in excess of £200,000. Similar salary brackets apply within radiology, gastroenterology and dermatology – although thanks to the growing demand for expertise in cosmetic procedures like laser treatment, the latter can expect to take home even higher salaries working in private clinics, which could be anywhere up to £400,000.
Dentists
The dentistry field also offers impressive earning potential, and while those working within the NHS as general practitioners can expect to make between £60,000 – £90,000 and up to £100k after reaching seniority, respected private dentists with a proven track record can make anywhere in the region of £120,000 – £200,000.
The numbers increase significantly for those who own private clinics or specialise in orthodontics or maxillofacial surgery, with private orthodontists raking in up to £300,000 and oral and maxillofacial surgeons as much as £350,000 where handling complex jaw surgeries and cosmetic procedures are a part of the everyday.
The more esteemed a private dental practice, the higher the prices they command – and those that service high-net-worth-individuals and celebrities from across the globe, such as top clinics in Los Angeles, can see surgeons make millions of dollars a year.
