In the general perception, brain surgeons have the best salaries across all physicians. Yet, this is very difficult to prove: A brain surgeon in a developing country may very well earn less than an optician in civilized societies. On average, a brain surgeon has an annual income between £30.000 and £430.000.
This job is extremely well paid because being a brain surgeon requires a very specific set of aptitudes: Extensive professional knowledge of the subject, multiple notions of general anatomy and physiology (in most cases, much more than a regular surgeon needs to know), and excellent physical condition, including perfect eyes, accurate hands, and ideal reactions to stress factors.
Apart from these, common culture in civilized countries associated brain surgery with the most difficult and precise set of medical specialities, which is not necessarily true. Yet, with time, this led to better salaries for this specialty. In the USA, for example, the median salary for a neurosurgeon is around $450.000, which is approximately £275.000. This example should be taken as a guiding reference only, because there are private clinics where the salary can be much higher (and private) and state hospitals where it can be significantly lower.
Being a neurosurgeon requires a lot of study and practice. Because of these aspects, most of brain surgeons actually work for 25 years or less. General medical studies are followed by years and years of specialty studies, clinic hours and practice before brain surgeons can be the first hand during a surgery. Studies require a lot of money and surgeons need to work for a few years only to pay for their studies. This is the main reason why young students choose to fulfil their medical studies and even part of the medical practice in developing countries, where education is cheaper, before pursuing a career in private expensive hospitals in civilized states.
This job is extremely well paid because being a brain surgeon requires a very specific set of aptitudes: Extensive professional knowledge of the subject, multiple notions of general anatomy and physiology (in most cases, much more than a regular surgeon needs to know), and excellent physical condition, including perfect eyes, accurate hands, and ideal reactions to stress factors.
Apart from these, common culture in civilized countries associated brain surgery with the most difficult and precise set of medical specialities, which is not necessarily true. Yet, with time, this led to better salaries for this specialty. In the USA, for example, the median salary for a neurosurgeon is around $450.000, which is approximately £275.000. This example should be taken as a guiding reference only, because there are private clinics where the salary can be much higher (and private) and state hospitals where it can be significantly lower.
Being a neurosurgeon requires a lot of study and practice. Because of these aspects, most of brain surgeons actually work for 25 years or less. General medical studies are followed by years and years of specialty studies, clinic hours and practice before brain surgeons can be the first hand during a surgery. Studies require a lot of money and surgeons need to work for a few years only to pay for their studies. This is the main reason why young students choose to fulfil their medical studies and even part of the medical practice in developing countries, where education is cheaper, before pursuing a career in private expensive hospitals in civilized states.
