Top 10 Highest Paying Countries for Doctors

A doctor’s career can be gratifying and enriching. It is a noble profession that is duly respected all over the world. It provides you with opportunities to save lives and positively impact the community and society. Although pursuing a medical career is not just about money, the financial rewards from your skills and expertise can help your personal and career development. 

Furthermore, moving to a new country gives you the necessary global exposure and life experiences that can make your life fulfilling. If you have decided to move abroad as a doctor or physician, this blog is for you. Keep reading to learn about the highest-paying countries for doctors. 

Do you know?

• As per the Verified Market Research, the global healthcare market is expected to reach $665.37 billion by the end of 2028.[1] 
• According to the reports of World Population Review, the US ranks at no. 1 position as a country with the best doctors in the world. [2]
• In terms of the healthcare service market, North America is the largest region, followed by Western Europe. [3]

Overview: Top 10 highest paying countries for doctors abroad

Salary: Talent, Indeed, Cost of Living: Livingcost.org, as of 18/04/2024, IST 15:00 hrs

10 Highest paying countries for doctors

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While many countries need reliable healthcare professionals, we have selected the highest-paying among them. The following are the best countries that offer lucrative job opportunities for doctors and allow them to grow professionally. 

1. Switzerland

Switzerland tops the chart when it comes to the highest-paying countries for doctors and related healthcare professionals. The country is known for its highly developed healthcare system and high standard of living. Besides, acquiring a Swiss work permit is easy once you meet all the requirements. Moreover, many training programs are available for healthcare professionals to familiarise themselves with the work culture in Switzerland after moving in. 

Overall, Switzerland is a great work destination with ample opportunities for doctors from India. 

The average salary for physicians in Switzerland

• Entry-level: The entry-level salaries for physicians in Switzerland can be as high as CHF 130,000 per year. 
• Experienced: Most experienced and specialised doctors can earn over CHF 170,000 per year. 

2. Canada

Canada offers a vast scope for doctors with a wide availability of healthcare jobs and career opportunities across all the cities in the country. Canada is a highly developed nation with a robust economy that attracts healthcare job seekers, such as nurses and doctors, from all over the world. The best part is that moving to Canada as a doctor is very easy due to the straightforward immigration procedure.

Apart from impressive salaries, working as a doctor in Canada can offer various benefits such as social benefits, great living standards, work-life balance, and, most importantly, an opportunity to grow your career globally. 

Average salary for physicians in Canada

• Entry-level: The starting salary of physicians in Canada ranges from CA$100,000 to CA$120,000 per year. 
• Experienced: The average salary in Canada for experienced physicians starts at around CA$250,000 per year and can reach as high as CA$320,000 per year. 

Also read: How to get a job in Canada.

3. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is third on our list of the highest-paying countries for doctors. It is among the wealthiest European nations with a thriving healthcare sector. Additionally, Luxembourg is home to some of the prestigious medical universities, which means you get the opportunity to pursue higher medical studies. 

Average salary for physicians in Luxembourg

• Entry-level: The salary range for fresh medical graduates in Luxembourg starts from €75,000 per year. 
• Experienced: Experienced and specialised physicians can earn up to €230,000 per year. 

4. USA

The USA is among the most preferred work destinations for doctors for several reasons. From increasing job opportunities for doctors and higher salaries to simple immigration processes and high quality of life, there are many reasons why the migration of healthcare workers to the United States is gaining huge momentum. 

Over the last few years, a growing number of hospitals and healthcare companies in the US have started hiring doctors across the globe.  As such, getting a job overseas as a doctor is fairly easy if you have the required skills, qualifications, and expertise. 

Average salary for physicians in the USA

• Entry-level: Most fresh medical graduates in the United States manage to earn a base pay of approximately $75,000 per year. 
• Experienced: With some experience and specialisation, physicians in the States can earn over $200,000 per year. 

Also read: Cost of living in the USA.

5. Ireland

Ireland is a highly welcoming country for expats, especially those moving as doctors. Being a doctor in Ireland can be very rewarding, both in terms of financial benefits and career opportunities. It is important to note that the Irish healthcare system has been consistently ranked at the top and offers excellent job prospects for expert doctors and physicians. 

The average salary for physicians in Ireland

• Entry-level: The basic salary of general physicians in Ireland is about €90,000+. 
• Experienced: After gaining a few years of experience, physicians can earn up to €150,000 per year. 

Also read: How to get a job in Ireland.

6. Australia

With a strong economy, commendable infrastructure, world-class education and a high-quality healthcare system, Australia is another sought-after country for ambitious doctors. In addition, Australia has a simple immigration policy that makes it easier to move here. 

The most preferred cities among expats working in the healthcare industry include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, etc. 

However, lucrative job opportunities for doctors in Australia are not limited to large cities because medical professionals are required across all cities and towns of the country. 

Average salary for physicians in Australia

• Entry-level: The basic salary of entry-level physicians starts from AU$120,000. 
• Experienced: The average salary in Australia for experienced physicians is AU$200,000+. 

Also read: How to get a job in Australia.

7. Austria

Be it magnificent mountains, sparkling lakes or a glamorous metropolitan culture, Austria has it all. But what makes it the best country for doctors is its competitive salaries and ample job opportunities. To work as a doctor in Austria, you must have a recognised medical degree from an accredited university or institution. In addition, you should also obtain a licence from the Austrian Medical Chamber. 

The average salary for physicians in Austria

• Entry-level: The starting salary of physicians in Austria is about €65,000 per year. 
• Experienced: Experienced doctors and physicians can earn as high as €80,000 per year. 

8. Belgium

Belgium is another high-paying country for doctors you can consider relocating to. It is a small European nation known for its healthcare system and fast-paced economy. Many expats consider Belgium a cost-effective alternative to cities like London due to its moderate cost of living and numerous high-paying job opportunities for doctors. 

Apart from the employment aspect, living in Belgium can offer a wonderful experience to expats. From a chance to work in a diverse culture to unlocking new career opportunities, you can enjoy many advantages. 

The average salary for physicians in Belgium

• Entry-level: Belgium offers a starting annual salary of approximately €57,000. 
• Experienced: Experienced and specialised doctors in Belgium can earn up to €70,000 per annum. 

9. Netherlands

The next best country for doctors on our list is the Netherlands. The country is experiencing an acute shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals and thus recruiting overseas candidates on a mass level. Once you get hired by a medical institution or healthcare company in the Netherlands, you will not have to worry about the visa process, as your employer will take care of everything on your behalf. 

Note that the average salary of doctors in the Netherlands is much higher than that of those working in countries such as the UK.

The average salary for physicians in the Netherlands

• Entry-level: The starting salary for physicians in the Netherlands is usually from €52,000 per year. 
• Experienced: The salary range for experienced physicians is €60,000 to €70,000 per year. 

10. Germany

Doctors are widely respected across the country in Germany. If you are looking forward to building your dream medical career abroad, then Germany can be a perfect location for you. You can even pursue your master’s from the prestigious public universities. 

Apart from numerous international job opportunities for doctors, Germany also offers free education, a moderate cost of living, and a peaceful yet competitive environment to thrive. 

The average salary for physicians in Germany

• Entry-level: Most entry-level general physicians earn a base salary of around €30,000 per year. 
• Experienced: After gaining some experience in the healthcare field, doctors in Germany can earn up to €120,000 per year. 

Also read: How to get a job in Germany.

Doctor jobs abroad: Country-wise salary of doctors around the world

Conversion as of 18 April 2024 at 15:00 HRS IST.

Note: The above table depicts the average salaries for doctors in the top 10 countries. All the currencies have been converted to USD (for creating graphs). 

Currency conversion source: 

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/money-transfer/currency-conversion

Finding doctor jobs overseas: Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s

• Research the country’s healthcare system well to learn about the employment landscape. 
• Network with healthcare professionals in the country to get industry insights. 
• Learn about the licensing requirements for doctors in the country. 

Don’ts 

• Don’t underestimate language proficiency because your profession requires you to communicate extensively with the locals. Learning the language and the culture of the target country is a good idea.
• Don’t ignore the visa and work permit requirements of the country you are planning to move to. 
• Don’t neglect the evaluation of your qualifications. This is important because the country you are relocating to might not recognize your degree. In such a case, it becomes important to get your degrees and educational certificates verified by a reputed institution approved by the country. For instance, Canada and the USA accept WES evaluation reports, whereas Germany requires an APS certificate. 

Before you go…

Moving to a new country as a doctor can be exciting. With careful planning and a strategic approach, you can find your dream job and set a firm foot in the global healthcare industry. The detailed list of the highest-paying countries for doctors will help you select the right destination.

However, don’t neglect financial aspects when you move to a foreign country. Without adequate knowledge of cross-border fund transfers and exchange rates, you may end up losing large sums of your hard-earned money.

This is where a trusted international fund transfer partner like Instarem can help. With the Instarem application, you can send money to your home country from a foreign country (or vice versa) at low exchange rates# and competitive transaction fees#. 

What makes Instarem stand out is the fast** and secure international transaction channel. In addition, you get exciting rewards and InstaPoints that can be redeemed for additional discounts. 

FAQ’s

Q. Which country pays the highest for doctors?

Luxembourg, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA are the top-paying countries for doctors. 

Q. Which country has a demand for doctors?

The USA, Canada, and Australia are some of the countries that are experiencing a growing demand for doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners. 

Q. How secure is the job of a doctor abroad?

As compared to other professions, the job of a doctor is quite secure. It is a profession that is least impacted by economic conditions and fluctuations. 

Since most countries are facing a higher demand and lower supply of healthcare workers, it is easy to get a secure and well-paying job as a doctor abroad. 

Q. What is a doctor’s salary abroad per month?

The monthly salary of a doctor abroad is based on the country they are working in, their qualifications, specialisation, and working experience. On average, a general physician can easily earn between $60,000 to $100,000 per month. 

Q. How to get doctor jobs in foreign countries?

To get a desired job as a doctor in a foreign country, you need to learn about the qualifications and licence requirements for practising medical services in that country. 

Once you meet the requirements, you can apply for various job vacancies online and apply for a suitable visa. 

Q. What is the starting salary for entry-level doctor jobs for Indians?

The starting salary of entry-level doctors mainly depends on their location and area of specialisation. Most entry-level doctors (MBBS-degree holders) earn around ₹6 to ₹10 lakhs at the beginning of their careers in India. On the other hand, the freshers can earn around $60,000 to $70,000 per year. 

Q. Is it difficult to get doctor jobs in foreign countries for freshers?

If you have recognised qualifications, getting a healthcare job as a fresher is relatively easy compared to other professions. This is because the demand for skilled healthcare workers like doctors and nurses is increasing worldwide.

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Disclaimer:

• This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.

• Prices mentioned in this blog are subject to change.

• ** Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.
• # When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. funding and bank transfer fees  differ significantly. 

Citations:

[1]https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5781185/healthcare-services-global-market-report

[2]https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/which-country-has-the-best-doctors

[3]https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5781185/healthcare-services-global-market-report