15 highest-paid medical specialties in the world 2021 - Tuko.co.ke
Which are the highest-paid medical specialties in the world? In most countries in the world, doctors are among the highest-paid people due to the challenging nature of their job. However, not everyone wearing a lab coat and stethoscope takes home the big bucks. How much a doctor takes home depends on the area of specialization and the years of experience in their fields.
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In general, the highest paying medical jobs belong to those who have chosen to specialize in a particular field. The medical specialists spend a significant amount of time in training to be certified in a specific medical field. With such high levels of specialization, many medical specialists command high salaries.
List of highest-paid medical specialties in the world
Medicine is known as a lucrative field, but even within the industry, earnings vary substantially from one specialty to the next. So which medical specialties are doing the best when it comes to annual compensation? Here is a list of highest-paying doctor specialties:
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1. Neurosurgery - $609,201
Neurosurgery is the highest-paid medical specialty. Neurosurgeons are the most highly trained compared to the other medical specialties. They study a minimum of 15 years before being allowed to operate on a patient. Neurosurgeons must have experience and expertise with the brain, spine, spinal cord, and nervous system.
Some neurosurgeons specialize in specific types of spinal problems such as neck disorders, pediatric neurosurgery on infants and children, strokes and degenerative diseases, and so on. Neurosurgeons receive the highest medical salary because of the complex nature of their work. The average salary for a neurosurgeon is $609,201.
2. Invasive cardiology - $525,000
Invasive cardiology is second on the list of the highest-paid specialties in medicine. Cardiologists work with patients who are in the advanced stages of heart failure and those who need transplants.
They assess heart function and cardiovascular health through blood flow, blood pressure, and other health indicators.
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They diagnose and treat cardiac and peripheral vascular ailments using invasive procedures. The invasive cardiologists also determine if a blockage exists in blood vessels in the heart by using catheterization procedures and angioplasty procedures.
Invasive cardiologists are some of the highest-earning medical specialists with an average salary of $525,000.
3. Orthopaedic surgery - $497,000
An orthopaedic surgeon is an expert with extensive training in the proper diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles essential to movement and everyday life.
A certified orthopaedic surgeon has completed approximately 14 years of formal education. Because of the specialty's vastness, most orthopedic surgeons sub-specialize, focusing on a specific treatment area. The average salary for an orthopedic surgeon is $497,000.
4. Gastroenterology - $455,000
Gastroenterology is one of the highest-earning medical specialties. The gastroenterologist treats disorders that occur in every part of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. They perform minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic tests like endoscopies.
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To be a gastroenterologist, you must study for three years in medical school and go for additional specialized training in gastroenterology, which lasts 5-6 years. The average salary for a gastroenterologist is $455,000.
5. Urology - $412,000
The urologist diagnoses and treats urinary tract disorders. Patients are usually referred to a urologist in cases where they need treatment for bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, and adrenal gland disorders. Female urology focuses on disorders of the reproductive system and the urinary tract of women.
In men, the urologist diagnoses and treats disorders related to the epididymis, penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes. To be a urologist, you must complete a four-year medical degree and then complete four years of specialized medical school training. The average salary for a urologist is $412,000.
6. Plastic surgery- $399,452
Some of the cosmetic procedures are done by dermatologists, but plastic surgeons specialize in medical aesthetics and reconstruction. Plastic surgeons can repair or reconstruct any part of the body except the central nervous system. Patients referred to plastic surgeons include those with injuries, burns, birth disorders, and so on.
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Some of the procedures done by plastic surgeons include corrective surgeries, breast reconstruction, jaw straightening, scar revision, burn repair, among others. The training for a plastic surgeon can take more than a decade, depending on the sub-specialty chosen. Plastic surgeons earn an average salary of $399,452.
7. Dermatology - $398,000
Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect the hair, skin, nails, and the delicate lining of the eyelids, nose, and mouth. Patients are usually referred to a dermatologist for conditions such as acne, skin rashes, skin lesions, discolouration, skin cancer, hair loss, skin infections, dermatitis, nail problems, and pigmentation.
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Dermatologists complete four years of extensive college training to earn a bachelor's degree and four years in medical school for specialized training. The average salary for a dermatologist is $398,000
8. Vascular surgery - $364,160
Vascular surgery is one of the most lucrative medical specialties. A vascular surgeon diagnoses, treats and manages conditions in the blood vessels, including arteries and veins.
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Patients may be referred to vascular surgeons for conditions such as aneurysm, atherosclerosis, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, spider veins, varicose veins, among others.
To become a vascular surgeon, a doctor undergoes several years of training, beginning with medical school and a medical residency. The average salary for a vascular surgeon is $364,160
9. Radiation oncology - $333,680
Radiation oncologists harness the therapeutic properties of radiation to treat and cure cancer. A radiation oncologist understands the biology and the patterns of spread of cancer and determines how radiation fits into the general scheme of treatment. The radiation oncologists work in teams with other doctors to create and deliver radiation therapy programs in cancer patients.
After completing medical school, radiation oncologists complete a one-year internship, followed by four years of specialty training. The average salary for a radiation oncologist is $333,680.
10. Anesthesiology - $302,448
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An anesthesiologist specializes in the care of surgical patients and pain relief. Anesthesiologists are responsible for administering general or regional anesthesia, allowing surgeons and other physicians to complete invasive procedures with little to no discomfort to the patient.
They closely monitor a patient's vital signs and critical life functions before, during, and after surgery.
After completing the four-year college degree, the anesthesiologists complete a one-year internship followed by a residency in anesthesia for three years. The average salary for an anesthesiologist is $302,448.
11. Psychiatry - $244,000
Psychiatrists are devoted to diagnosing, preventing, studying, and treating mental disorders, including substance abuse disorders. They are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
Cases referred to psychiatrists include panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, frightening hallucinations, among others.
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To become a psychiatrist, a person must complete medical school and spend at least three additional years learning the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. The average salary for a psychiatrist is $244,000
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12. Obstetrics - $238,320
An obstetrician specializes in obstetrics, which deals with all aspects of pregnancy, from prenatal care to post-natal care. They care for women during their pregnancy and just after the baby is born. Some obstetricians choose to specialize in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM), which focuses on chronic health problems or abnormal issues that arise during pregnancy.
To become an obstetrician, you must complete four years of medical school and a residency program to gain further experience. If you choose to specialize in MFM, you must complete an additional two to three years of training. The average salary for obstetricians is $238,320.
13. Orthodontics - $230,830
Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of misalignments of the teeth and jaws. They focus on making sure your teeth and jaw are set correctly.
Orthodontists assist patients with crooked teeth, spaces between teeth, overcrowding of teeth, problems with the jaw, overbites and underbites, temporomandibular disorders, and many others.
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After completing dental school and taking the certification test, orthodontists attend an orthodontic residency program for an additional 2 to 3 years to get a specialty certification in orthodontics. An orthodontist receives an average salary of $230,830.
14. Oral and maxillofacial surgery - $208,000
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats the entire craniomaxillofacial complex, which includes the anatomical area of the mouth, jaws, face, skull, head, neck, and associated structures. They perform surgery and related procedures to treat diseases, defects, or injuries and improve function or appearance.
After dental school, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon must study for another four years at a minimum, sometimes as many as six years. The average salary for oral and maxillofacial surgeons is $208,000.
15. Pediatrics - $205,195
Paediatricians manage the physical, behavioural, and mental health of children from birth until they reach 18. Children undergo rapid physical and mental changes as they grow.
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Paediatricians understand this fact and assess a child's health status based on their age. They help diagnose medical conditions in children.
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Paediatricians must complete a 3-year residency program in paediatrics after they finish medical school. The average salary for a paediatrician is $205,195.
The list of highest-paid medical specialties is a testimony that it pays to be a doctor. If you are interested in a health care career and earning a decent salary is one of your top priorities, you should consider pursuing one of these top-paying medical specialties.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about D courses in KMTC. Knowing which career path to take after high school can be challenging, especially when you didn't meet the minimum entry requirements for entry into university. The good news is that KMTC has adjusted the minimum entry requirements to accommodate the students who scored D in KCSE.
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The institution is known for producing the best healthcare graduates across the country. You can enrol in D courses in KMTC to make your dream of working in the health care sector come true. Some of the D courses on this list include Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics, Foundations in Community Health, among others.
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