The UK’s healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 50,000 new jobs estimated to be created in the next five years.
This growth is driven by an ageing population, an increasing demand for high-quality healthcare services, and advancements in medical technology, which is why a health-related career now offers excellent earning potential.
Whether it’s a specialist surgeon, a GP or a nurse practitioner, there are many different paths people can take when considering a career in healthcare.
That said, not all healthcare roles are equal. Some jobs demand years of training but ultimately offer very high earnings.
To help you understand where the best-paid opportunities are, we analysed 50 of the UK’s most common occupations in the health sector to highlight where the top earnings are and which jobs have the highest starting salaries.
Key takeaways
- Specialist doctors dominate the top of the salary rankings
- Ophthalmologists top the list as the best-paying healthcare role, with an average salary of £122,017 per year
- Most top-earning roles require medical school, a foundation programme and 5–7 years of specialist training
- GPs have the highest starting salary, at an average of £73,000 per year
The best-paying healthcare roles
When comparing the average salary across 50 different healthcare roles, specialist doctor roles dominate the top of the salary rankings. These roles are typically demanding and usually reflect long working hours and high levels of responsibility, but are equally rewarding.
The top 5 highest-paying healthcare jobs
- Ophthalmologists – Average annual salary £122,017 per year
Ophthalmologists focus on eye health, providing services ranging from routine examinations to complex procedures such as laser eye surgery. Following medical school, aspiring ophthalmologists complete a two-year paid foundation programme before applying for specialist ophthalmology training, which takes at least seven years.
- Anaesthetist – Average annual salary £121,449 per year
Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who give anaesthetics for surgical, medical and psychiatric procedures. After medical school and a two-year foundation programme, specialist training typically lasts 7–8 years.
- Obstetrics and gynaecology physicians – Average annual salary £117,922
Doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) care for pregnant women and unborn children, look after women’s sexual and reproductive health and manage women’s diseases. After completing foundation training, doctors undertake at least seven years of specialist O&G training.
- Clinical oncologist – Average annual salary £112,735
Clinical oncologists are responsible for cancer management and treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other modalities. Specialist oncology training begins following foundation training and takes a minimum of seven years.
- Pathologist – Average annual salary £111,426
Pathologists study fluids, tissues, or organs taken from the body and often work with a surgically removed sample of diseased tissue, called a biopsy, to diagnose, classify and stage diseases. After qualifying as a doctor, training in pathology takes approximately 5 to 6 years.
Explore the complete list of the top-paying healthcare roles below.
The healthcare roles with the highest starting salaries
With most healthcare roles requiring years of training, a good starting salary can help professionals manage their living costs and continue to pay towards their professional development as they progress through their career.
At an entry level, General Practitioners lead the way, starting at an average of £73,000 per year. This is followed by Dentists earning roughly £53,000, and Pathologists and Psychologists in joint third place with starting salaries of around £48,000.
The healthcare sector is full of opportunities for people passionate about care. Although many of the top-earning roles require years of training and ongoing development, they also offer rewarding career paths with substantial long-term salaries.
Methodology
We took 50 of the UK’s most common healthcare roles from the NHS careers page and, using sources such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and the government’s National Careers pages, found the starting and average salaries for each role.
