Which area of medicine earns the most? 5 best-paid specialties

Do you know which area of medicine earns the most? To answer this question, you need to keep in mind that there are many factors that can vary, such as geographic location, specialization, level of experience, and others.

Furthermore, it will depend on the demand for this specialty in our country.

Find out which area of medicine earns the most

If you want to know which area of medicine earns the most, there is only one possible answer in our country.

And that answer is neurosurgery, an extremely prestigious area both in Brazil and abroad.

Neurosurgeons are doctors who specialize in treating conditions of the central and peripheral nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Their duties involve a wide variety of responsibilities related to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with neurological problems.

Therefore, they are very well compensated for their work, which sometimes during surgeries can take more than 10 hours working on a single patient.

Additionally, they often work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as neurologists, radiologists, physical therapists, and nurses, to provide comprehensive care to patients with neurological conditions.

According to data collected by Catho and Exame, the highest salaries for neurosurgeons are around R$30,000 to R$35,000 per month.

And to become a neurosurgeon, the professional will need to complete medical school, which lasts around six years, in addition to a two-year residency in general surgery, with an additional five years in neurosurgery.

What are the other 5 highest paying areas?

Let's look at some more areas that are very well paid following neurosurgery.

1 - Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is one of the highest paying specialty areas after neurosurgery, it focuses on restoring, reconstructing or enhancing the shape and some functions of the human body.

It can be reconstructive in cases of parts of the body that have been affected or injured after accidents, illnesses or other surgeries.

And they can also be aesthetic, with the aim of working towards the patient's self-esteem, such as liposuction, rhinoplasty and silicone.

The average salary for this professional is R$18,564, according to research carried out by Catho and Exame in 2018.

And to become this type of professional, a plastic surgeon, you need to study for 12 years. It can be a complicated career path, but it is worth it.

There are six years of medical school, three years of specialization in general surgery and another three years specializing in plastic surgery.

2 - General surgery

General surgery, without specific specialization, is the third option for a well-paying area of medicine.

In this area, the doctor will perform a series of surgical procedures on patients of all ages. The main characteristic of this professional is his versatility and ability to perform numerous surgeries, in different parts of the body and in the most varied conditions.

General surgeons perform surgical procedures that involve virtually every part of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, endocrine system, vascular system, skin and soft tissue, among others.

The surgeon usually receives an average of R$ 15,975.62, according to Catho and Exame in their research.

But according to data collected between October 2021 and September 2022, the salary could be around R$ 6,481.03 and R$ 17,917.47 per month.

And to become a professional in this area, you need to complete a specialization of at least 8 years, six of which are spent at medical school and two more of specialization and residency in general surgery.

3 - Orthopedics

We have orthopedics, a specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions, which involve the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and other components of the musculoskeletal system.

Doctors in this field are known as orthopedists, trained to diagnose a wide variety of conditions involving injuries, fractures, deformities, and many others.

Orthopedics is a broad specialty and has several subspecialties, including pediatric orthopedics, spine surgery, sports orthopedics, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, among others.

Orthopedists have an average salary of approximately R$14,353, which requires approximately nine years of study on the part of the professional.

4 - Senior medical auditor

Medical auditors may also be known as medical reviewers, and are trained professionals who specialize in reviewing and evaluating records of procedures, treatments, and invoices.

This review is done to ensure that everything is in compliance with established medical policies, guidelines, regulations and standards.

The role of a medical auditor is essential in health and insurance systems to control costs, improve the quality of care and prevent fraud or abuse.

Medical auditors review patient medical records to ensure that the information is complete, accurate, and in compliance with applicable medical guidelines and regulations.

They also review medical bills and invoices to ensure that everything is being billed according to the treatments performed and specific procedures.

And according to a survey carried out by Catho and Exame, the senior auditor doctor could receive R$1,909 per month.

5 - Anesthetist

An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in administering anesthesia and monitoring patients before, during, and after surgical or medical procedures.

Anesthesia is an essential part of many medical procedures, as it allows the patient to be unconscious or insensitive to pain during the procedure, ensuring comfort and safety.

And because you have such an important role in monitoring for hours during surgery, your salary must be compatible.

The professional performs a complete evaluation of the patient before the procedure to determine the best anesthetic approach.

This includes reviewing the patient's medical history, physical exams, and laboratory tests, as well as discussing the patient's allergies and medications.

The average salary for this professional is R$ 9,849, according to a survey by Catho and Exam, in 2018.

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