Highest Paid Doctor Jobs (With Primary Duties And Salaries)
Updated 19 September 2023
Doctors, also known as physicians, diagnose a patient's health condition using tests and examinations. Based on their findings, they prescribe medication and treatment to heal any injuries or illnesses their patients may have. Their earning potential varies depending on their experience, location and specialisations. In this article, we explore some of the highest paid doctor jobs, their earning potential and the primary duties associated with each job role.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.
What are the highest paid doctor jobs?
Doctors can specialise in various areas regarding patient care and they have strong communication skills to promote quality relationships with their patients. The highest paying jobs in this field relate to practitioners working in a surgical setting, such as an anesthesiologist and a surgeon, or specialists including a cardiologist or an orthopaedist. The following are the highest paid doctor jobs in the order of increasing salaries:
1. Cardiologist
National average salary: ₹3,64,840 per year
Primary duties: A cardiologist is a specialist who diagnoses, prevents and treats diseases of the heart, veins, arteries and blood vessels. They treat conditions like heart failure, heart attacks and congenital and coronary heart conditions. They periodically monitor a patient's progress and suggest medication and lifestyle changes for recovery from a disease or for general health improvement.
Related: How To Become A Cardiologist (With Skills And Salary)
2. Nephrologist
National average salary: ₹3,79,732 per year
Primary duties: A nephrologist treats acute and chronic kidney disorders and hypertension. They also treat kidney failures caused by mineral, electrolyte and fluid imbalances. Nephrologists monitor and treat patients requiring dialysis. They may consult with other specialists to coordinate dialysis or transplantation procedures.
Related: Average Doctor Salaries: A Complete Guide by Specialty
3. Orthopaedic surgeon
National average salary: ₹4,78,829 per year
Primary duties: Orthopaedic surgeons focus on preventing, diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system comprising of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. They use invasive and non-invasive surgical methods for knee, shoulder and hip replacement procedures. They also perform arthroscopy and assist with physiotherapy.
4. Urologist
National average salary: ₹5,21,342 per year
Primary duties: A urologist treats diseases and disorders of the urinary tract, reproductive organs and adrenal glands. They diagnose and treat diseases that may affect the bladder, kidneys, urethra and prostate. Physicians refer patients to urologists when they diagnose patients with overactive bladders, chronic urinary tract infections or cancer.
5. Neurologist
National average salary: ₹5,55,164 per year
Primary duties: Neurologists treat diseases that affect parts of the central nervous system like the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. They treat patients affected by ailments like stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, migraines, Parkinson's disease and dementia. They schedule periodic consultations with their patients to monitor their progress and prevent the growth of neural diseases.
Related: How To Become a Doctor (With 6 Steps You Can Follow)
6. Oncologist
National average salary: ₹5,87,691 per year
Primary duties: Oncologists are specialists in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. Oncologists can further specialise in treating specific cancers or in treating cancers in a specific demographic group. They work with radiologists, surgeons and physicians to prepare treatment protocols for their patients. The goal of an oncologist is to cure cancer and prevent relapse.
7. Surgeon
National average salary: ₹6,02,670 per year
Primary duties: A surgeon uses advanced medical equipment and tools to perform surgical procedures. They may set or replace bones, stitch tissues and contain injuries. Surgeons record a patient's medical history and prescribe medication to help them manage post-surgery pain. They may also recommend physiotherapy and other exercises to aid a patient's recovery.
Related: How To Write A Doctor Resume (With Tips And Example)
8. Pulmonologist
National average salary: ₹6,52,954 per year
Primary duties: A pulmonologist treats diseases that affect the respiratory system comprising the lungs, heart, blood vessels and airways crucial for breathing. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid lung disease are some diseases that a pulmonologist may treat. They also work with physiotherapists to help their patients improve stamina and overall energy levels.
9. Orthodontist
National average salary: ₹6,90,139 per year
Primary duties: An orthodontist performs correctional procedures of the teeth and jaw. They observe a patient's teeth and gums to assess their overall dental health and diagnose potential problems. They perform procedures to insert equipment like braces and expanders and fix the alignment and appearance of their patients' teeth.
10. Dermatologist
National average salary: ₹8,48,533 per year
Primary duties: A dermatologist specialises in treating skin, nails, hair and mucous membrane conditions. They treat skin diseases and disorders like fungal infections, acne, eczema, vitiligo and dermatitis. Dermatologists may modify a person's appearance by collaborating with cosmetologists and may conduct skin surgeries to treat specific skin diseases.
11. Radiologist
National average salary: ₹9,02,288 per year
Primary duties: A radiologist uses imaging technologies like X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI, PET scan and ultrasound to assess and diagnose specific medical conditions. They help treat injuries and often consult with a patient's primary physician to determine the right imaging tests for their condition. They also provide treatment including radiation therapy and interventional radiology.
Related: How To Write A Radiologist Resume (With Tips And Example)
12. Internal medicine physician
National average salary: ₹9,73,849 per year
Primary duties: Internal medicine physicians, also known as internists, provide treatment for adult patients with comorbidities. They have comprehensive knowledge of treating diseases like hypertension, asthma, diabetics and infection. They do not perform surgeries or treat young children or infants.
13. Geriatric physician
National average salary: ₹9,82,240 per year
Primary duties: A geriatric physician diagnoses and treats a wide range of diseases and conditions that affect people as they age. Apart from general health, they also treat age-related conditions including dementia, osteoporosis, incontinence, cancer, hearing loss, vision loss, osteoarthritis and insomnia. They periodically engage with their elderly patients' families to help them provide appropriate care and support.
14. Anaesthesiologist
National average salary: ₹11,54,701 per year
Primary duties: An anesthesiologist is a crucial part of a surgical team. They administer sedatives that either put the patient to sleep or make a particular area numb so that the patient does not feel pain during surgery. They also prescribe pain medication after surgical procedures and monitor a patient's condition before, during and after surgery.
Related:
15. Rheumatologist
National average salary: ₹11,94,063 per year
Primary duties: Rheumatologists use advanced medical knowledge to diagnose and treat autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders. They assist patients by evaluating their symptoms and through diagnostic imaging. They also make recommendations to prevent the progression of rheumatic disease.
16. Paediatrician
National average salary: ₹13,06,186 per year
Primary duties: A paediatrician is a doctor who treats children from birth through adolescence until they become fully grown adults. They take care of the physical, social and emotional well-being of infants, children, young adults and adolescents. They diagnose, prevent and treat infections, diseases and behavioural conditions that may affect kids and adolescents.
Related: 11 Paediatrician Responsibilities For Career Success
17. Ophthalmologist
National average salary: ₹13,12,931 per year
Primary duties: Ophthalmologists diagnose, research and treat various eye diseases. Some tasks ophthalmologists do include diagnosing and treating glaucoma, conducting cataract surgery, administering complex eye examinations and performing reconstructive surgeries. They also prescribe medication and correctional procedures to patients.
18. Obstetrician and gynaecologist
National average salary: ₹13,62,614 per year
Primary duties: An obstetrician provides care during childbirth, including pre-conception, delivery and postnatal care. A gynaecologist provides treatment and solutions for women's reproductive health issues. They provide treatment and consultation for the effects of birth control, menopause, menstrual issues, hormonal changes and cervical cancers.
Related: Gynaecologist Vs Obstetrician: Differences And Similarities
19. Plastic surgeon
National average salary: ₹14,88,374 per year
Primary duties: A plastic surgeon is a specialist in performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Individuals may require reconstructive surgeries to restore a part of their body damaged by disease or injury. Plastic surgeons use invasive and non-invasive procedures to enhance their patient's appearance and contain the effects of ageing.
Related: How To Become A Cosmetologist: A Step-By-Step Guide
20. Emergency medicine physician
National average salary: ₹15,37,300 per year
Primary duties: An emergency medicine physician treats patients who have life-threatening conditions and are in critical situations. Their primary duties include resuscitating and stabilising a patient's breathing and heart rate and transitioning care to an appropriate care facility like a general inpatient bed, intensive care unit bed, another hospital or residence.
21. Psychiatrist
National average salary: ₹16,62,880 per year
Primary duties: A psychiatrist diagnoses, prevents and treats various mental health disorders. They assess a patient's symptoms and identify the source of ailments. Psychiatrists also prescribe a treatment plan for patients depending on their specific needs. They use psychotherapy and medication to enable their patients to cope with the detrimental effects of mental illnesses. They may also refer a patient to a psychologist or mental health counsellor for specialised therapy.
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