A doctor based in the US candidly shared how much he earned when he worked as a part-time GP in the UK in April this year, and some people couldn’t believe his salary
It’s well-known that different job roles and industries fetch different salaries. The highest-paid jobs in the UK include executive roles, specialist medical professions, like surgeons and cardiologists, and senior positions in finance and technology, such as investment banking.
In contrast, the lowest-paying jobs are typically found in the hospitality and catering industries, with the likes of bar staff, waiters and kitchen assistants generally taking home smaller pay packets. Healthcare is a major industry with many jobs available, and one of the most common is a General Practitioner (GP). This is a doctor who provides primary healthcare and is often the first point of contact for patients in their local community for various health issues.
Dr Harry Musson, originally from the UK, was a GP before he relocated to the US – where he now helps international medical graduates become doctors.
He shared a video on TikTok revealing how much money he earned while working back home.
The medical professional explained: “Most GPs in the UK work part-time and this pay check is for working three days a week.”
Dr Musson then flipped the camera to show his pay check from April this year displayed on his laptop screen.
He disclosed that his gross salary for the month was £6,000 but after deductions, such as national insurance and income tax, he was left with £3,603.64.
There are several factors that determine a GP’s income in the UK, including whether they are salaried or a GP partner, how much experience they have, and location. As such, GP salaries can vary enormously.
Salaried GPs work for one practice and have a defined salary scale, whereas GP partners are essentially small business owners who run a practice and base their income on its earnings.
The former UK doctor shared that the pay check shown in his TikTok video was for salaried work three days a week.
From April 1 of this year, the pay range for salaried GPs is £76,038 to £114,743, according to the NHS.
Dr Musson’s TikTok clip has garnered 579,900 views and thousands of likes and comments.
Several viewers weren’t happy with how much he earned for working part-time.
One user shared: “I work 80 hours a week and I don’t earn this. I didn’t realise how much doctors earn and sorry totally lost any support I may have had left.
“I started at 9am today and just finished at 1.30am… I’d be so happy on this for only 3 days. I think GPs need a reality check as to what normal people are on and how hard they also work.”
Another exclaimed: “Crazy! I don’t get that working two jobs!” A third chimed in: “What, that’s wild.” Someone else simply stated: “Totally overpaid.”
A healthcare worker commented: “I can’t lie, it makes me a little mad. As a podiatrist we work long hours, do house calls.
“The emotional toll it takes is huge. We save lives for little over 30k a year whilst getting very little respect for other health care professionals.”
However, other TikTok users were supportive of how much Dr Musson earned. One said: “People are really mad doctors earn so much?
“It’s not easy becoming a doctor/gp or everyone would do it and be earning big bucks. Fair play to you man.”
A second chimed in: “The amount of laughable comments here. The abuse, stress and constant learning that GPs go through is insane.
“I’ve worked with such great doctors and I truly believe they earn every penny! It’s not their fault our system sucks.”
A different user had their say: “I’m not a high earner but I don’t begrudge a penny you get, I think you are underpaid.”