How much do rural doctors make?
Wondering how much rural doctors are earning in Australia? A doctor's ability to earn varies - It depends on what level of training they are at and what specialty of medicine they are in, but this is slightly different when it comes to rural medicine, as most rural doctors need to work as rural generalists across a range of specialties. This article will cover how much rural doctors are earning in Australia, and how you can increase your earnings.
Rural doctors get paid more overall and working as a rural doctor offers a range of benefits both personally and professionally, including great rates.
The medical practices in rural areas are interesting and operate in a unique way. Doctors are likely to be dealing with more complex health concerns day-to-day than a typical GP and get the opportunity to experience just about everything over your time.
How much do doctors in Australia earn?
In Australia the average doctor's salary is around $180,000, however, a doctor can earn more depending on many factors, including their grade, specialty, and location. If you are a doctor-in-training or junior doctor in Australia you will earn around $70,000 – $85,000, whereas a top-level consultant can be earning an average of $394,866.
How much do rural doctors in Australia earn?
The average salary for a rural doctor is 11.5% higher than the average doctor's salary. If you're a doctor thinking of working rurally, you can expect to earn around $209,500 per year. Entry-level positions in remote areas start at approximately $130,000 per year, while more senior doctors make up to $227,000 per year.
Why do rural doctors earn more?
There are many contributing factors as to why rural doctors earn more in Australia - you will have to work as more of a generalist, you'll have to base yourself in an isolated location, and you can expect to have more responsibility. Rural doctors also have the Rural Doctor's Association of Australia advocating for them and negotiating higher rates.
How to increase your rural doctor's salary
Despite a dip during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for rural doctors across Australia is still high. This means job and earning opportunities are strong, and it's the perfect time to negotiate rates. Ways to increase your rural doctor salary includes selecting the highest paying states to work rurally in - Western Australia has some of the highest doctor salaries in the country.
Rural doctor lifestyle
In addition to earning great rates, working rurally can be a fun, unique experience, and a great opportunity to save some money and see parts of the country you may not have otherwise. You'll get to build really strong ties to the tight-knit communities, and take some time to slow down and enjoy the great outdoors.
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