6 Best Paying Medical Career Choices to Pursue After Medical School!

Medical Career

Finishing medical school is one of the most life-changing events that can happen in anyone’s life. This is especially true for those who endure all the hardships and stress to start a medical career and become a great doctor or an excellent medical practitioner someday. 

The path after medical school leads to endless possibilities. Possibilities that can help you fulfill your purpose in life, whether it’s to reach your dreams or help anyone in need. 

However, you must be bold and wise to choose what’s best for you. Finishing medical school has already taken a severe toll on your finances. So, be sure to choose a medical career that will give you the best of both worlds: financial stability and personal fulfillment. 

If you have no idea what medical career to choose, this article may help you. Below are some of the most fulfilling and lucrative medical careers that may suit your interests, life goals, and personality.

Nevertheless, remember paychecks may differ depending on your chosen specialty, hospital size, location, and more. So, it’s best to do your research considering the factors mentioned.

1. Orthopedic Surgeon

Average Salary: USD$520,000 per annum

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries concerning the musculoskeletal system. These may include the following:

  • Torn and broken ligaments
  • Fractured spines
  • Broken bones that don’t heal naturally
  • Fractured hip

You’ll need to finish 15 years of orthopedics schooling and practice to become a certified orthopedic surgeon. This consists of the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree (four years)
  • Medical school (four years)
  • An orthopedic residency in a medical institution (five years)
  • An optional orthopedic subspecialty (one year)

After the schooling and residency, you need to have at least two years of practice before taking an exam. Passing this exam will make you an official member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Furthermore, be sure to take measures to prevent hazards at work, such as gear and protective equipment. Why? Because the orthopedic department treats some of the most gruesome accidents and injuries that can cause you or your patient infections.

2. Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon

Average Salary: USD$301,000 per annum

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the highest-paying jobs in the healthcare industry. You can even secure a half-a-million salary package in highly-urbanized cities like Seattle.

In addition, they’re experts in diagnosing and treating medical issues related to the neck, mouth, head, face, and jaw. These conditions may include:

  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Facial deformities
  • Tooth and gum diseases
  • Dental implants
  • Neck and head cancers

To become a certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you must finish at least 14 years of education and practice. This typically consists of the following:

  • A dental school (four years) after getting a four-year bachelor’s degree 
  • A dental surgery residency (six years)
  • Optional specialization (two years)

Then, gather the necessary practice and take the exam that would make you an official American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery member.

3. Internal Medicine Physician

Average Salary: USD$290,000 per annum

An internal medicine physician, or internist, is a healthcare professional specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the body’s internal organs. They can also treat external conditions like skin infections and ear problems.

However, they’re not capable of performing surgeries. But they have a vast sea of knowledge that allows them to treat children and adults.

To become an internal medicine physician, you must complete a four-year undergraduate degree, four-year training in medical school, and a three-year residency program. After that, you can take the exam to become an American Board of Internal Medicine member.

You may also choose a specialty that would take another three years, such as:

  • Critical care
  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Oncology

4. Obstetrician Or Gynecologist

Average Salary: USD$270,000

An obstetrician and gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a medical expert who specializes in diagnosing and treating general reproductive health issues and pregnant women. In most cases, they’re the go-to doctors of most women, especially when having regular checkups.

OB-GYN doctors are certified to do the following things, such as;

  • Providing post-natal care
  • Providing pregnancy care
  • Providing neonatal care
  • Delivery of a baby
  • Reproductive health checkups
  • Treating sexually-transmitted diseases

To become an OB-GYN doctor, you must take a five-year residency program in the obstetrics and gynecology department. This should be done after eight years of the combined undergraduate program and medical school. 

After that, you must take exams from the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (for specialization).

5. Orthodontist

Average Salary: USD$264,000 per annum

If your heart and soul belong to the field of dentistry, you might want to consider becoming an orthodontist. They’re dentists who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating misaligned teeth and jaws, just like the following:

  • Bite issues, such as overbite and underbite
  • Crowded and spaced teeth
  • Misaligned jaws
  • Crooked teeth

In most cases, orthodontists use various tools, particularly dental braces, to correct misalignments and other conditions. 

To become an orthodontist, you’ll need to complete at least 14 years of education and training, which consist of the following:

  • A dental school (four years) after a four-year bachelor’s degree program
  • An orthodontic school (three years)
  • An orthodontic residency (three years), which focuses on two areas: orthodontics and dentofacial orthodontics

After that, you can apply for board certification. Some countries require this, but in the US, it’s not. It depends on you if you want to be certified or not.

6. Anesthesiologist

Average Salary: USD$240,000 per annum

Surgery would be more painful and life-threatening without the help of anesthesiologists. Their job is to administer medicines that would numb their patients’ bodies, preventing them from feeling excruciating pain during the operation.

Aside from that, anesthesiologists can also prescribe patients pain relievers for their existing conditions, such as cancers and body pain. Sometimes, they also help patients recover and alleviate the pain after getting discharged from the hospital.

To become an anesthesiologist, you must take a one-year internship program after finishing a bachelor’s degree and medical school. Then, you need to take a three-year residency program focusing on anesthesia. 

In summary, you need at least 12 years to become an anesthesiologist. After completing the education and residency program, you can pursue the certification provided by the American Board of Anesthesiology. 

You may also apply for fellowship training to become a specialized anesthesiologist in different fields, such as:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Pediatric anesthesiology
  • Obstetric anesthesiology
  • Neuroanesthesiology 

Final Words

Pursuing a medical career after medical school can be financially and personally rewarding. Not only can you help someone in need but also improve your finances. However, choose a career that best suits your interests, personality, and needs. In this way, you’ll be able to appreciate the good side of all the hardships that may come your way.

Medical Career article and permission to publish here provided by Claire Glassman. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on September 19, 2022.