In India, the medical profession has always been held in high esteem and regard. As a matter of fact, the healthcare/medical profession is one of the most respected and coveted career choices in the country, and rightly so. Medical experts hold the power to make a real difference in society by helping people take charge of their health and well-being, treating physical and mental challenges, and setting them on the path to recovery. Needless to say, healthcare roles promise an unparalleled level of job satisfaction.
However, job satisfaction aside, a significant portion of the youth is always inclined towards medical professions because of the handsome salary packages they offer. Once you set your foundation right and acquire the specific skill set, there’s no looking back!
What’s even more promising is that, no matter what, the healthcare industry is only set to expand over time. According to IBEF, the Indian healthcare market is projected to reach US$ 372 billion by 2022. Rest assured, the demand for skilled and qualified healthcare professionals will skyrocket fast in the future.
Most aspirants take the conventional way to enter the medical profession by completing a 5-year MBBS course. However, thanks to the increasing demand for healthcare management profiles, many candidates now opt for certification programs like Healthcare Management, Nursing, Infection Control.
As the Indian healthcare market continues to boom, it will create ample scope for employment, both in traditional and new roles. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the best healthcare jobs in India that guarantee a high level of job satisfaction alongside a hefty annual package.
Best Healthcare Jobs in India
1. Physician & Surgeon
Physicians and surgeons make the two highest-earning healthcare professionals globally. While physicians diagnose and treat patients by studying their medical history and prescribe medication for specific ailments, surgeons perform operations on different body parts such as limbs, brain, heart, malignant tumors, etc. Thus, physicians are the primary healthcare providers, whereas surgeons handle more complex cases that involve surgical and operative procedures on the human body.
Salary:
The average annual salary of a General Physician in India is ₹696,339 LPA while a General Surgeon makes around ₹1,076,073 LPA.
2. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are advanced nurses who induce anesthesia to patients during invasive therapeutic, diagnostic, and surgical procedures. They review a patient’s present medical condition and their medication and accordingly administer anesthesia to the patient to numb certain body parts before further procedures begin. Anesthesiologists generally remain with the patients throughout a particular procedure to adjust and monitor their anesthesia as required.
Salary:
The average annual salary of Anesthesiologists in India is ₹1,215,526 LPA.
3. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are expert dentists trained to perform surgeries on the face, mouth, and jaws. They can treat a host of diseases, defects, and injuries in the face, jaws, head, neck, and oral/maxillofacial region. They administer anesthesia and treat problems like misaligned jaws, facial tumors, cysts of the jaw and mouth, and wisdom teeth extractions. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons also perform dental implant surgeries.
Salary:
The average annual salary of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in India is ₹964,743 LPA.
4. Gynecologist
Gynaecologists are physicians who specialize in the female reproductive system and the medical care of women. They can either serve as primary care providers for women’s medical issues or as consultants to other physicians. Gynaecologists specialize in adolescent gynaecology, endocrinology, STDs, contraception, tubal ligations, hysterectomy, cervical and ovarian cancer, infertility, and pregnancy and childbirth.
Salary:
The average annual salary of Gynecologists in India is ₹1,274,510 LPA.
5. Pediatrician
Pediatricians specialize in dealing with the health and development of children. They diagnose, treat, and counsel children till they reach their teenage. Pediatricians treat and offer specialized care to children for a wide range of diseases, ranging from the common cold to serious illnesses. Usually, they see children annually or sometimes even twice a year (when they’re very young). Apart from treatment, they also guide parents on the health, safety, nutrition, and fitness needs of their children.
Salary:
The average annual salary of a Pediatrician in India is ₹1,194,753 LPA.
6. Oncologist
Oncologists are cancer specialists who study, diagnose, and treat various forms of cancer. Since Oncology is divided into three broad fields (medical, surgical, and radiation), there are three types of Oncologists:
- A medical oncologist uses medications, chemotherapy, and other advanced therapies like immunotherapy to treat cancer patients.
- A surgical oncologist performs surgical procedures to remove cancerous tumors and cysts.
- A radiation oncologist uses radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Oncologists help patients understand their cancer diagnosis and their treatment options and accordingly choose the best-suited treatment for specific cases.
7. Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists are usually a part of the Oncology team, including oncologists, physicists, and nurses who collaborate to treat cancer patients of different stages. As the name suggests, radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients using specialized machines and equipment to deliver highly targeted radiation to the cancerous part(s). They monitor and check the response of patients to radiation therapy and also document the treatment procedure in detail.
Salary:
The average annual salary of a Radiation Therapist in India is ₹450,000 LPA.
8. Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are doctors specializing in eye and vision care. They differ from optometrists and opticians in their training and specialization level and also in what they can diagnose and treat. Ophthalmologists are trained to both practice medicine and perform eye surgeries. They can diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgeries (cataracts, power correction, etc.), prescribe medicines, and eyeglasses/contact lenses to correct vision problems.
Salary:
The average annual salary of an Ophthalmologist in India is ₹1,201,819 LPA.
9. Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants or PAs assist physicians and surgeons in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment procedures of patients suffering from various medical conditions or diseases. They review a patient’s medical history, check their vital stats, perform primary diagnostic tests, and counsel patients on their health conditions. Their extent of supervision is determined by the institution or doctors in charge.
Salary:
The average annual salary of a Physician Assistant in India is ₹361,947 LPA.
10. Orthopedic Doctor
Orthopedic doctors specialize in caring for and treating the human musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. Typically, Orthopedic doctors specialize in treating specific body parts such as hand & wrist, foot and ankle, knees, shoulder, neck, back, and hips. They diagnose and treat injuries caused by any physical activity, help manage severe conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, and also perform surgeries if needed. They also prescribe medications and exercises to help relieve discomfort and pain.
Salary:
The average annual salary of an Orthopedic Surgeon in India is ₹1,504,293 LPA.
Wrapping up, the medical profession is and always will be one of the most prestigious and in-demand career choices. As healthcare and medicine continue to evolve with time and aided by technological disruptions and medical innovations, the healthcare industry will diversify and expand, giving birth to more unique roles in this domain.
Interested candidates can definitely check out upGrad’s latest partnership with the University of Essex Online healthcare courses. It has a selection of long-term and short-term undergraduate and postgraduate courses that are perfect for those seeking to build a successful career in the healthcare sector:
- Master of Public Health (MPH) – 2 years
- PG Diploma Public Health – 16 months
- PG Certificate Public Health – 8 months
- CertHE Healthcare Management – 16 months
- BSc (Hons) Healthcare Management – 4 years
- MSc Infection Control – 2 years
- PG Diploma Infection Control – 16 months
- PG Certificate Infection Control – 8 months
- MSc International Healthcare Management – 2 years
- PG Diploma International Healthcare Management – 16 months
- MSc Nursing – 2 years
- PG Diploma Nursing – 16 months
- PG Certificate Nursing – 8 months