The field of medicine has always held a position of profound importance in society, with healthcare professionals playing a pivotal role in improving and maintaining the well-being of individuals. As a result, some of the best-paying jobs and career paths are in the medical field. However, the medical specialty selected can affect the earning potential considerably.
Therefore, one of the critical decisions that aspiring medical professionals face is choosing a specialization. From cardiology to neurosurgery, dermatology to pediatrics, the options seem endless, each presenting unique challenges and rewards. However, the selected type can make a big difference in income and the type of work. This is because specific medical specialties treat specific types of diseases and patients.
In this article, we delve into the question many aspiring medical professionals ask themselves: Is a career in medical specialties a good choice? We will explore some of the best-paying medical specialties and how you can secure a successful role.
Let’s get started.
Best Paying Medical Specialties Jobs
Here are the best-paying medical specialty jobs, as you’ll realize from the list that surgeons earn the most. However, just the surgical field is further divided by different body parts, increasing the salary range.
Take a look at the list below:
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
This highly trained medical specialist performs surgical procedures involving the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs within the thoracic cavity.
Average Salary: $318,239 Per Year
Salary Range: $53,040 to $867,555
Pediatric Neurosurgeon
These surgeons perform surgical treatments for conditions affecting the nervous system in children, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Average Salary: $316,319 Per Year
Salary Range: $53,728 to $853,466
Neurosurgeon
Similar to the above, except they are not as specialized for pediatrics. However, the focus remains the same on the brain and nervous system.
Average Salary: $312,618 Per Year
Salary Range: $52,580 to $845,742
Brain Surgeon
They are responsible for performing surgical procedures on conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Average Salary: $300,225 Per Year
Salary Range: $43,355 to $830,835
Thoracic Surgeon
These surgeons focus on surgical procedures involving the organs within the thoracic cavity, primarily the lungs, chest wall, esophagus, and mediastinum.
Average Salary: $297,680 Per Year
Salary Range: $50,520 to $840,789
Plastic Surgeon
These surgeons can perform surgical procedures to reconstruct, restore, or enhance various parts of the body. This is often a varied role and is also influenced by demand as it may not be medically necessary surgery.
Average Salary: $264,851 Per Year
Salary Range: $45,009 to $822,298
Surgeon
Like the other surgeons, this one performs a general role and emergency surgeries.
Average Salary: $257,164 Per Year
Salary Range: $84,107 to $555,221
Dental Surgeon
A dental surgeon, also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, performs surgical procedures related to the mouth, jaws, face, and neck.
Average Salary: $256,502 Per Year
Salary Range: $83,848 to $558,807
Anaesthesiologist
While not responsible for performing surgery, anaesthesiologists still get compensated very well. This is because they focus on providing anesthesia and related care to patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Average Salary: $236,680 Per Year
Salary Range: $80,166 to $382,531
Gastroenterologist
This medical specialist focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and related organs.
Average Salary: $187,960 Per Year
Salary Range: $71,004 to $334,448
General Practitioner
These professionals provide comprehensive medical care to individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Average Salary: $185,858 Per Year
Salary Range: $73,251 to $342,101
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health disorders.
Average Salary: $174,881 Per Year
Salary Range: $68,994 to $291,464
As mentioned earlier, this list is only for the highest-paying jobs. There may be other jobs that are more rewarding in other ways, such as a licensed practical nurse who may help people from different backgrounds make a quick recovery.
Educational Qualifications Required
As you can imagine, the process of securing the above jobs can be a long and stressful journey.
Take, for example, the process of becoming a surgeon:
Bachelor’sBachelor’s Degree:
Completion of a Bachelor’sBachelor’s degree in a pre-medical or science-related field is typically required as a prerequisite for medical school.
Medical School:
After obtaining a Bachelor’sBachelor’s degree, aspiring Surgeons must attend medical school and complete a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree program. Medical school usually takes four years to complete.
Residency Training:
Following medical school, aspiring Surgeons must complete a surgical residency program. Residency programs in surgery typically last five to seven years, depending on the surgical specialty. Surgeons receive intensive training and hands-on experience in various surgical procedures and techniques during residency.
Fellowship Training (Optional):
After completing a surgical residency, some surgeons may choose to pursue additional specialized training in a specific surgical subspecialty through a fellowship program. Fellowships provide advanced training in areas such as pediatric surgery, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and more.
Licensure and Certification:
After completing residency and/or fellowship training, surgeons must obtain a medical license by passing a licensing examination specific to their country or region. Additionally, they may pursue board certification in their surgical specialty through their respective surgical boards or professional organization.
Additionally, for other medical specialties, it is possible to specialize in different areas. For example, internal medicine physicians could choose to specialize in cardiology or gastroenterology. Both of which promise high-income salaries.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Expertise and Specialization:
Medical specialties allow professionals to develop a deep understanding and expertise in a specific area of healthcare. This specialization can lead to higher knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating specific conditions, providing better patient care. Especially when making severe medical diagnoses.
Challenging and Rewarding Work:
Medical specialties often involve dealing with complex medical cases and challenging situations, which can be intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding. In addition, helping patients overcome health issues and improving their quality of life can be highly fulfilling.
Advancement Opportunities:
Medical specialties offer opportunities for professional growth and advancement. With additional training, specialization, and experience, healthcare professionals can become leaders in their field, conduct research, teach, or pursue administrative roles.
Higher Earning Potential:
Many medical specialties are associated with higher earning potential compared to general medical practice. As a result, specialized skills and expertise are often in demand and can command higher salaries and benefits.
Cons:
Lengthy Education and Training:
Pursuing a medical specialty requires a significant investment of time and effort. Consequently, the education and training pathway can be long and demanding, involving many years of schooling, residency programs, and potentially fellowship training. This can result in delayed entry into the workforce and substantial financial burdens.
Work-Life Balance Challenges:
Medical specialties often involve demanding work schedules, long hours, and on-call responsibilities, which can lead to work-life balance challenges. The dedication required to excel in a medical specialty may impact personal life, relationships, and leisure time.
High-Stress Environment:
Medical specialties can be highly stressful, with intense workloads, high-pressure situations, and critical decision-making. Dealing with life-and-death situations and managing patient expectations can take an emotional toll on healthcare professionals.
Burnout Risk:
Medical specialties are associated with a higher risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of the work, high patient expectations, administrative burdens, and the emotional toll of dealing with challenging cases. As a result, burnout can impact both professional satisfaction and personal well-being.
High dropout rates
Due to the long educational requirements, there are many who won’twon’t make it all the way to the end. This can result in years wasted on a career that has barely started.
Bottom Line
The decision to pursue a career in medical specialties is not one to be taken lightly. While there are certainly numerous benefits to working in specialized fields of medicine, there are also important considerations to keep in mind. The lengthy education and training process, which often includes years of schooling, residency programs, and potential fellowship training, requires dedication and perseverance. This can lead to delayed entry into the workforce and financial pressures along the way.
However, at the end of all the studying is the potential to earn great money while fulfilling societal roles. As a result, you can expect great job security and job stability throughout your career, as there will always be a need for medical professionals within the healthcare industry.
It is important to remember your preferences and interests with so many choices available from common medical specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, and even emergency medicine. Selecting a single medical specialty can be a monumental task. It may help to speak to other medical specialists to help you figure out which medical career path to take.
Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more information about career paths and average salaries.