A doctor's salary is always a topic surrounded by myths and discussions.
There are those who still say that "all doctors are rich" and even base their career choices on this principle.
But is that really true?
Well, doctors do indeed have good salaries, but, as with all professions, this will depend on many factors. Among them: workload, type of contract, and level of specialization.
However, overall, despite possible variations, the minimum wage is set by the National Federation of Doctors (Fenam), and for 2025 it is R$10,991.19.
In this article, we will explore how each of these issues influences a doctor's salary and also offer you an overview of the best salaries among medical specialties.
How much does a doctor earn?
This was a decision approved in November 2024 for 2025 by the Health Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and determines that this amount must be adjusted annually. The decision defines the minimum wage for Doctors, Surgeons and Dentists and requires a minimum of 4 hours per day, or 20 hours per week of work to be applied.
Fenam also suggests a minimum fee of R$238.29 per consultation.
However, even with the decision to establish a minimum wage, a more thorough analysis is necessary before using that as a base value.
The main idea is that the values recommended by Fenam should be used as a basis for negotiations and collective agreements; however, it is important to consider other aspects.
Does region influence salary?
Even with this guidance, it's necessary to consider certain regional variations and evaluate the salary context in which you work.
Here are some examples of average salaries by state, according to data from the website salario.com.br :
- São Paulo (SP): R$ 9,910.52
- Federal District (DF): R$ 8,985.61
- Rio de Janeiro (RJ): R$ 7,672.79
- Minas Gerais (MG): R$ 7,310.69
- Pernambuco (PE): R$ 3,416.77
How much does a newly graduated doctor earn?
In addition to the region, it is also necessary to consider the type of employment and the level of professionalization.
A newly graduated doctor, for example, can earn an average of R$7,500.00 per month, but this amount can vary depending on the type of work.
How much does a doctor on call earn?
A doctor working on call, on the other hand, can earn an average of R$9,467.00 per month, considering a routine of 12 or 24 hours per week, according to information from vagas.com.br .
Keep in mind that the amount paid for a shift varies depending on the region and type of institution.
In private hospitals, for example, the average pay for 12-hour emergency room shifts can exceed R$2,000.00, while in public hospitals, the average pay for a 12-hour shift ranges from R$800.00 to R$1,500.00.
How much does a doctor who passed a civil service exam earn?
The salary of a doctor hired through a competitive examination varies depending on the region and public agency that employs them, but on average, doctors who pass a public examination can earn between R$8,000.00 and R$15,000.00 for a work schedule of 20 to 40 hours per week.
Another point to consider is that municipalities and states with a higher demand for healthcare professionals may offer higher rates.
How much does a CLT (formal employment) doctor earn?
Meanwhile, a doctor under the CLT (Brazilian labor law) has a fixed salary, varying only according to the work schedule and specialty. This professional earns an average salary between R$7,000.00 and R$15,000.00 per month, according to data from Contabilizei.
How much does a self-employed doctor earn?
A self-employed doctor's remuneration is primarily based on the number of consultations and the fee charged per consultation. Therefore, their income is unstable and highly variable.
On average, a self-employed doctor earns between R$15,000.00 and R$50,000.00, according to data from Contabilizei.
Keep in mind that specialist doctors may charge more than the average for consultations and procedures.
How much does a specialist doctor earn?
Today, the average salary for a general practitioner ranges from R$7,000.00 to R$15,000.00 per month for a 22-hour work week.
And even though it's not considered a low salary, it's still lower compared to Specialist Doctors. This is because the higher the degree of specialization and professional experience, the greater the determining factors in a professional's salary.
A specialist doctor can earn between R$15,000.00 and R$25,000.00, depending on their experience and reputation in the field.
Which specialty offers the best salary?
The average salary among medical specialists is usually higher than the average salary for general practitioners. But beyond remuneration, having a medical specialty offers a much wider range of professional opportunities.
Among the main medical specialties, the best average salaries are:
- Plastic Surgery: from R$ 40,000.00 to R$ 100,000.00/month
- Cardiology: from R$ 30,000.00 to R$ 80,000.00/month
- Orthopedics and Traumatology: from R$ 25,000.00 to R$ 70,000.00/month
- Dermatology: from R$ 20,000.00 to R$ 60,000.00/month
- Anesthesiology: from R$ 20,000.00 to R$ 50,000.00/month
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