How Much Do Surgeons Make?

Explore what surgeons earn in the UK, how to become one, qualifications, specialisations, pros and cons, and the best hospitals to work for.

How Much Do Surgeons Make? UK Salary, Training & Career Guide

Surgeons are highly skilled medical professionals who diagnose and treat patients through surgical procedures. Whether performing life-saving operations or planned interventions, it’s one of the most prestigious and demanding careers in healthcare. Becoming a surgeon requires years of training—but offers strong salaries, respect, and meaningful impact.

This guide explains how much surgeons earn in the UK, the training path, responsibilities, specialisations, pros and cons, and top hospitals and employers in the NHS and private sector.

Job Description: What Do Surgeons Do?

Surgeons perform medical operations to treat disease, injury or deformity. They work in teams with anaesthetists, nurses, and other specialists, and follow patients through diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.

Responsibilities:

  • Assessing patients and reviewing diagnostic tests

  • Explaining surgical options and gaining informed consent

  • Performing operations and surgical procedures

  • Managing post-operative care and reviewing recovery

  • Working closely with surgical teams and multidisciplinary staff

  • Teaching junior doctors and medical students

  • Participating in audits, governance, and clinical research

How Hard Is It to Become a Surgeon?

Becoming a surgeon is academically and physically challenging. You’ll need:

  • Top A-level grades

  • Medical school (5–6 years)

  • Foundation training (2 years)

  • Core surgical training (2 years)

  • Specialist training (6+ years depending on discipline)

That’s around 15 years from school leaver to consultant. It requires mental stamina, exceptional focus, and lifelong learning.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

  • Manual dexterity and precision

  • Emotional resilience, especially under pressure

  • Critical thinking and calm decision-making

  • Leadership and communication

  • Physical and mental stamina

  • Empathy, especially when breaking difficult news

  • Teamwork, especially in high-stakes surgical environments

Do You Need Qualifications?

Yes. It’s one of the most structured and regulated professions in the UK.

Step-by-step qualification route:

  1. Medical Degree (MBBS, MBChB) – 5–6 years

  2. Foundation Programme (FY1 + FY2) – 2 years

  3. Core Surgical Training (CST) – 2 years

  4. Specialist Training (ST3–ST8) – 6+ years depending on specialty

  5. Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS)

  6. Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register as a consultant

Career Levels and Surgical Specialisation

Medical Student - 5–6 years at medical school

Foundation Doctor (FY1/2) - Junior rotations

Core Surgical Trainee (CST) - Entry into surgical pathway

Specialty Registrar (ST3+) - Works in a specific surgical field

Consultant Surgeon - Fully qualified specialist

Clinical Director / Professor - Senior hospital or academic role

Common surgical specialisations:

  • General Surgery

  • Trauma & Orthopaedics

  • Neurosurgery

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

  • ENT (Otolaryngology)

  • Vascular Surgery

  • Paediatric Surgery

  • Urology

  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (requires dentistry + medicine)

What Experience Do You Need?

  • Clinical placements during medical school

  • Foundation training in various specialties

  • Competitive portfolio: audits, teaching, research, presentations

  • MRCS exams (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons)

  • Hands-on surgical experience during core and specialist training

  • Constant CPD (Continuing Professional Development) post-certification

Benefits of Being a Surgeon

  • High salary, especially at consultant level

  • Respected and prestigious role

  • Opportunities for private practice and global work

  • Rewarding – directly saves lives

  • Structured career path and NHS pension

  • Opportunities to teach, research, or lead teams

  • Diverse specialisations for different skills and interests

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Extremely long and expensive training path

  • High-pressure environment, especially during emergencies

  • Physical fatigue from long operations and on-calls

  • Work-life balance can suffer, especially early in career

  • Exposure to traumatic injuries or death

  • Constant assessment and revalidation

Surgeon Salary Levels in the UK (2024)

Foundation Year 1 (FY1) - Junior Doctor - £32,398

Foundation Year 2 (FY2) - Junior Doctor - £37,303

Core Surgical Training - Junior Doctor - £43,923 – £55,329

Specialty Registrar (ST3+) - Registrar - £58,000 – £75,000

Consultant Surgeon - Band 8+ - £88,364 – £130,000

Private Surgeon (Part-time) - Independent - £150,000 – £500,000+

Tax Example (Consultant on £120,000):

  • Income Tax: ~£37,432

  • National Insurance: ~£5,732

  • Take-home pay: ~£76,836/year or £1,478/week

Private surgeons can significantly boost income but must manage private practice costs, indemnity insurance, and tax compliance.

What Factors Affect Surgeon Salary?

  • Seniority (ST3 vs Consultant)

  • Specialisation – neurosurgery and cardiothoracic tend to earn more

  • Private work volume

  • Location – London weighting applies

  • Teaching, academic, and research roles

  • On-call hours and clinical responsibility

  • International qualifications / secondments

What’s the Future for Surgery?

Surgeons will always be essential, but their role is evolving with technology and healthcare reform.

Future trends include:

  • Robotic-assisted surgery (e.g. Da Vinci systems)

  • Minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures

  • AI support in diagnostics and planning

  • Increased focus on patient experience and digital records

  • International demand for UK-trained surgeons

  • Growth in reconstructive, cancer, and transplant surgeries

Best Employers and Hospitals for Surgeons in the UK

NHS Foundation Trusts - Secure employment and structured training

Barts Health NHS Trust - One of the UK’s largest surgical networks

Imperial College Healthcare - Major London teaching hospital

Royal Free London NHS Trust - Research-led specialist services

Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge) - Complex surgical cases and global reputation

Private hospitals (e.g. HCA, Spire, Nuffield) - Higher earnings, patient-focused

Oxford University Hospitals - High-end general, paediatric and cardiac surgery

Military or Global NGOs - Specialist trauma, humanitarian surgery

Final Thought

Surgery is one of the toughest but most prestigious careers in healthcare. It takes years of intense study and hands-on experience—but those who succeed are rewarded with a high income, global job options, and the ability to make a lasting difference to people’s lives.