10 High Paying Medical Jobs

When you’re considering a career in the medical field, salary expectations can have a great influence on your specialisation selection. Throughout the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) provides most of the population health services. It employs most medical professionals in hospitals, general practices, dental offices, home health, or local health centres. 

Though the NHS pay system has specific bands that cover most of its medical staff, you may still want to consider these high-paying positions in the field. Explore 10 high-paying medical jobs in the UK and what you need to begin your medical career journey.

Medical careers with high pay

The NHS employs more than 1.5 million people, with 1.3 million full-time positions [1]. As of 2024, a record number of NHS staff works across all NHS hospitals and community health services. The headcount increased 4.3 percent in 2024 compared to 2023 [1]. You can qualify for positions in hospitals, physician offices, private practices, and other health care settings with the right education and credentials.

According to Indeed, find out more about these high-paying careers and their average annual salaries.

1. Anaesthetist

Average annual salary: £115,571 [2]

Anaesthetists provide anaesthetics for medical procedures and surgeries. Your responsibilities may include preparing patients for surgery, monitoring the effects of anaesthesia, and following through on the pain relief strategy after a completed surgery or procedure. As an anaesthetist, you have a high-paying position and are also part of the largest medical specialty in the NHS group of hospitals. These positions require a medical degree, a two-year foundational training program, and several stages of specialty training.

2. Neurosurgeon

Average annual salary: £118,058 [3]

Neurosurgeons’ duties relate to nervous system disorders that impact the brain and spine. In this position, you primarily perform surgical procedures to treat conditions such as brain or spinal tumours, spinal disc injury or degeneration, strokes, epilepsy, and head or spine trauma or injury. You may also monitor patients before and after surgery, attend to patients in outpatient clinics, consult in emergency departments, and stay updated with developments and research in the field.

3. Medical director

Average annual salary: £110,082 [4]

Medical directors supervise and guide the medical and administrative staff of an organisation. You work to improve the quality and value of patient care. You typically serve on the organisation’s board and have input on decisions about policies, operating costs, safety initiatives, and a facility’s overall vision. To become a medical director, you will likely need a medical background in clinical medicine and administrative and managerial experience.

4. Psychiatrist 

Average annual salary: £114,791 [5]

Psychiatrists treat mental health disorders by performing psychological and physical evaluations on patients, recommending treatments, and prescribing medications. You might specialise in child and adolescent psychiatry or forensic psychiatry. General psychiatrists often treat mental health disorders, including but not limited to mood disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse. To become a psychiatrist, you must obtain a medical degree recognised by the General Medicine Council and complete intensive training and examinations.

5. Plastic surgeon

Average annual salary: £115,875 [6]

Plastic surgeons mainly perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries. Reconstructive surgeries may include breast reconstruction for cancer patients, restoring tissue or skin damaged by burns or illness, or congenital treatments for facial and ear deformities. Cosmetic surgeries may include aesthetic procedures like facelifts, implants, or eyelid surgery. The NHS does not typically provide cosmetic surgeries, so if you’re interested in this field, you may pursue working in private practice instead. If you want to become a plastic surgeon, you will need to complete a medical degree, a foundational programme, and extensive surgical and specialist training.

6. Cardiologist

Average annual salary: £109,672 [7]

Cardiologists treat and diagnose patients with heart conditions such as irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, hypertension, and angina. You will administer tests, analyse results, consult other medical professionals, and prescribe medication. To work as a cardiologist, you will need a medical degree, foundational training, and specialty training.

7. General practitioner

Average annual salary: £78,887 [8]

General practitioners diagnose and treat common medical conditions in their local communities. You serve patients by conducting physical examinations, identifying symptoms, giving preventative health advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to urgent or specialist treatment. To become a general practitioner, you must complete a five-year medical degree and obtain the appropriate qualifications and licence.

8. Clinical directors

Average annual salary: £70,381 [9]

Clinical directors manage medical establishments and facilities. You may manage certain departments or oversee an entire facility, depending on the organisation’s size. In this role, you use your clinical experience and managerial skills to optimise patient care by hiring and supervising health care providers and developing community programs. Like medical directors, clinical directors need both clinical and managerial experience.

9. Advanced practice registered nurse

Average annual salary: £88,140 [10]

An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is a registered nurse who has received advanced training, education, and experience in the nursing field. You can pursue one of four different types of APRN roles:

• Certified registered nurse anaesthetists (CRNAs) administer anaesthesia and monitor vital signs during surgery or a required procedure. In this position, you will also obtain a patient’s medical information to administer anaesthesia safely. 

• Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) provide care to women during their pregnancies. You may deliver babies, assist surgeons with caesarean births, and provide wellness care. As a CNM, you may provide maternity care throughout pregnancy. 

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide primary care under the supervision of a physician. Some NPs can prescribe medications and order laboratory tests. 

• Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) provide care and education to patients, families, and other nurses in a specialised area. You will act as an expert, educator, researcher, and consultant.

10. Pharmacist

Average annual salary: £51,591 [11]

Pharmacists dispense prescriptions and counsel patients on how to take and store them. Some pharmacists hold health and wellness screenings and give immunizations such as flu and pneumonia shots. To become a pharmacist, you must complete a master’s of pharmacy degree, specialised training, and experience as an assistant or technician.

Learn more about high-paying medical jobs

The UK is home to many high-paying medical jobs, which can be excellent motivation for building foundational knowledge and skills. Begin your career path by learning more about the health care field and exploring A Guide to Healthcare Innovation: Principles and Practice, a course part of Imperial College London’s Global Health Innovations Specialisation on Coursera to learn more about innovative solutions in care and technologies.