Surgeon
Perform surgery to treat injury, disease and deformity - one of the most demanding medical specialties.
This UK surgeon career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £36,000 - £45,000 (FY1)
- Mid-career salary
- £60,000 - £100,000 (registrar)
- Senior salary
- £100,000 - £200,000+ (consultant + private)
- Work environment
- Hospital, theatre, on-call rotations
- Time to entry
- 12 - 16 years
- Degree required
- Yes (medicine + surgical training)
- Category
- Healthcare and Care
What a Surgeon does
Perform surgery to treat injury, disease and deformity - one of the most demanding medical specialties.
- General Surgeon - Broad surgical practice across abdomen, breast and trauma.
- Orthopaedic Surgeon - Operate on bones, joints, ligaments and tendons.
How to become a Surgeon
- Look up Surgeon roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Surgeon - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Clinical knowledge
- Manual dexterity
- Stamina
- Decision making
- Teamwork