Surgeon salaries in Spain and beyond
Few will be surprised that surgeons earn salaries above the national average. They are among the most demanded medical specialists, carrying significant responsibilities. That high demand raises a natural question: how much does a surgeon charge for their services?
One clear advantage for these physicians is their strong demand. They require extensive training and are not widely available, which helps sustain higher compensation. Additionally, surgeons with international training can find opportunities abroad, expanding their professional footprint. In Spain, the average gross annual salary for a surgeon sits around 59,700 euros. Some practitioners earn substantially more, reaching up to 150,000 euros per year, while others earn below the average, approximately 35,600 euros annually. [Citation: Spanish medical salary surveys 2023–2024]
The private sector often offers higher salaries, as hospital and clinic administrations scale compensation according to the clinic’s performance and prestige. In private practice, the surgeon’s earnings can be driven by patient volume, clinic success, and reputational standing. Prestige and professional reputation play pivotal roles in securing the top-tier fees that keep private practices thriving.
Salary: How much does a nurse earn?
Salary for nurses and other medical roles follows different trajectories, but it is influenced by factors such as specialization, location, and the type of facility. The wage landscape shifts with demand, specialty requirements, and the level of responsibility involved in patient care.
Salary by specialization
Overall earnings depend on the exact field of expertise. In Spain, general categories show notable variation by specialty. For example, oral and maxillofacial surgery often reports lower average annual gross salaries around 43,775 euros, while general surgery commonly reaches about 59,100 euros per year. Orthopedic surgery, trauma and thoracic surgery, and brain surgery typically command higher figures, with annual gross incomes around 65,700 euros for some specialties. Cardiovascular surgery can push earnings toward 73,400 euros, and pediatric surgery can reach substantial levels as well. The peak earnings belong to plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery, where annual gross salaries may range from roughly 70,400 to 150,000 euros. [Citation: Spain medical salary benchmarks 2022–2024]
Historically, plastic surgery has been a high-demand pathway. In years past, it attracted strong interest during entrance assessments and mirrored a trend toward specialized, high-demand medical fields. The dynamics of demand influence both the number of training slots and the competitive landscape for residency placements.
Surgeons outside Spain
Even with solid salaries in Spain, the average physician earnings there lag behind some neighbors. For instance, average incomes in France and Germany show significant gaps when compared to Spain. This disparity helps explain why many Spanish surgeons consider opportunities in other European countries where overall compensation tends to be higher. The migration pattern among surgeons reflects a broader European labor market with mobile physicians seeking favorable conditions, which can include salary, working hours, training opportunities, and career advancement prospects.