Physician Salaries Compared: UK, Europe, and US in 2025

Physician Salaries in England (UK)

Working as a doctor in the UK offers a strong healthcare infrastructure, but the compensation might be underwhelming compared to other regions. NHS-employed doctors are compensated through a structured pay scale system, often depending on seniority, experience, and specialty. Private practice is far less common than in the US, which also affects earning potential.

1. Junior Doctors:
   • Foundation Year 1 (F1): £32,398 annually.
   • Foundation Year 2 (F2): £37,303 annually.
     These figures may increase slightly with night shifts, weekend duties, or unsocial hours. Still, they are generally considered low compared to living expenses in major UK cities.
2. Specialty Doctors and Registrars:
   • Specialty trainees (ST3-ST8) typically earn £43,923 to £63,152.
   • These roles are demanding and involve advanced responsibilities, but pay often doesn’t match the workload.
3. Consultants:
   • NHS consultants have a starting salary of around £93,666, which can rise to £126,281 annually depending on experience and additional duties like management or research.
   • With private practice, total income may reach £200,000+, though this is more common in surgical fields and metropolitan areas.
4. GPs (General Practitioners):
   • Salaried GPs typically earn between £68,000 and £104,000 per year.
   • Partnered GPs in successful practices may earn more, sometimes upwards of £150,000 annually depending on patient load and location.

Cost of Living vs Salary in the UK:
London and other southern cities are notably expensive. Despite stable employment, many doctors report financial dissatisfaction, particularly junior staff and those with student debt.

Physician Salaries in Europe

Europe offers a wide range of physician salaries depending on the country's economic status, taxation, and healthcare model. Here’s a comparison of several representative countries:

Germany
Germany is among the top-paying EU countries for doctors. The healthcare system is robust, and doctors are relatively well-compensated.

• Residents: Start around €48,000 to €55,000 annually.
• Specialists: Typically earn between €80,000 and €120,000.
• Senior Consultants/Chief Physicians: Salaries can exceed €250,000 annually.
• Private Practice Surgeons/Anesthesiologists: Often earn €300,000+.

Germany is also known for additional benefits, such as pension contributions, job stability, and reduced tuition for medical education, which makes financial progression faster for locals.

France
French doctors are respected, but their salaries do not always reflect their workload, particularly in the public sector.

• Hospital Doctors (Public): Around €55,000 to €90,000.
• Specialists in Private Practice: Can reach €150,000 to €250,000, especially in Paris or Lyon.
• GPs in Public Sector: Around €70,000 annually.

Reimbursement is governed by a national health insurance system, and incomes are heavily taxed. Still, job security, public healthcare support, and subsidized education compensate for this gap.

Switzerland
Despite not being in the EU, Switzerland boasts some of the highest physician salaries in the world.

• Junior Doctors: CHF 70,000 to CHF 100,000 (approx. €73,000–€105,000).
• Specialists: CHF 130,000 to CHF 200,000.
• Senior Physicians or Clinic Owners: Up to CHF 300,000–CHF 600,000 annually.

High salaries come with a high cost of living, but Swiss healthcare professionals generally enjoy strong purchasing power, excellent working conditions, and work-life balance.

Netherlands
The Dutch system is highly organized, with a good balance between public and private healthcare models.

• Residents: Around €50,000 to €70,000.
• Specialists: €100,000 to €180,000.
• Private Practice Surgeons or Radiologists: Often earn above €250,000.

Workload tends to be moderate compared to the UK, and Dutch physicians benefit from a supportive healthcare system and structured schedules.

Spain
Spain has a reputation for being less lucrative for doctors, especially in the public system.

• Junior Doctors: Often earn just €30,000–€40,000 annually.
• Specialists in Public Hospitals: Usually earn €60,000 to €90,000.
• Private Sector Specialists: May earn €120,000 to €180,000 depending on demand and location.

Despite the low pay, many doctors stay due to a favorable work-life balance, mild climate, and low cost of living.

Norway and Sweden
The Scandinavian countries offer a strong balance of pay and quality of life.

• Residents: Start at €55,000–€70,000.
• Specialists: €90,000 to €140,000.
• Consultants in Hospitals: Often earn €160,000 or more, especially with extra shifts.

These countries also offer six-week paid vacations, parental leave, and generous pensions. However, taxation is high and language barriers may limit foreign-trained doctors initially.

Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria
In Eastern Europe, pay is considerably lower:

• Public Sector Doctors: Often earn €10,000–€25,000 per year.
• Private Sector or Expats: Earnings may reach €40,000–€80,000.
• These regions often lose doctors to the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia due to these wage gaps.

Physician Salaries in the United States

The US is often considered the gold standard for physician earnings, although this comes with intense workloads, student debt, and administrative responsibilities.

Residents (Postgraduate Training):

• Typically earn between $60,000 to $75,000 per year depending on location and program.
• Despite high living costs in cities like New York or San Francisco, residents have limited earning flexibility.

Primary Care Physicians (Family, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics):

• Average around $225,000 to $260,000 per year.
• Higher-paying areas include rural and underserved states.
• Physician shortages in these areas offer bonuses and loan repayment programs.

Specialists:

• Cardiology: $430,000 to $600,000.
• Orthopedic Surgery: $500,000 to $800,000+.
• Dermatology: $450,000 to $550,000.
• Radiology: $400,000 to $650,000.
• Anesthesiology: $380,000 to $500,000.
• Psychiatry: $270,000 to $350,000.

Subspecialty board certification, private practice, and rural assignments may substantially increase this income. Physicians in concierge or direct-care models may also outperform averages.

Hospital vs Private Practice:
Doctors in private practice (especially surgical and diagnostic fields) can earn significantly more—sometimes over $1 million/year. However, they must manage overheads, malpractice insurance, and business risks.

Tax and Insurance Considerations in the US:
Although gross salaries are the highest globally, taxes, malpractice insurance (especially in OB/GYN and neurosurgery), and administrative burnout can significantly reduce net earnings. Additionally, most doctors graduate with $200,000–$300,000 in student loans.

Which Country is Better for Doctors?

That depends entirely on your priorities:

• If salary is your top goal: The US, Switzerland, and private practice in Germany or the Netherlands stand out.
• If you prioritize work-life balance: Consider Norway, Sweden, or the Netherlands.
• If you want structured academic growth: Germany and the UK have clearly defined postgraduate training.
• If you're from Eastern Europe or the Middle East and looking to move up economically: The UK, Germany, and Scandinavia offer the most accessible transitions with decent pay.

Ultimately, the “better” country is the one that aligns with your values: income, stability, family life, or career growth.