Surgeons Top Income List

SURGEONS have again topped the list of occupations with the highest mean income, earning on average $361,202 following the release earlier this year of the Australian Taxation Office’s annual Taxation Statistics report for 2012-13.

But it was male neurosurgeons who were the big movers and shakers topping the list when it came to average individual earnings in Australia, with a whopping $577,000, while other medical specialities including with Ophthalmologists, Cardiologists, Plastic and reconstructive surgeons and Gynaecologist/Obstetrician rounding out the top five for men, being the most lucrative jobs.

As for women, it was a slightly different story.

The job with the highest income was the role of a Judge, however Neurosurgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and Vascular surgeons came in at two, three and five respectively.

Commenting on the statistics, specialist medical accounting principal Alan McGillivray of Alan McGillivray & Assciates said the ATO figures found that male specialists earned roughly twice as much as their female counterparts.

“ On the surface, the disparity of income between men and women in the same field of medicine for example is surprising.

“ However the ATO figures didn’t distinguish between full and part time, so it’s difficult to draw too many conclusions.”

Taxation statistics released by the Australian Tax Office presents an overview of 2013 income tax returns for individuals, companies, superannuation funds, partnerships and trusts.

Top 50 average incomes for Men and Women

Neurosurgeon $577,674 Judge – law $355,844

Ophthalmologist $552,947 Neurosurgeon $323,682

Cardiologist $453,253 Plastic and reconstructive surgeon $281,608

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon $448,530 Futures trader $281,600

Gynaecologist; Obstetrician $446,507 Vascular surgeon $271,529

Otorhinolaryngologist  $445,939 Gynaecologist; Obstetrician $264,628

Orthopaedic surgeon $439,629 Gastroenterologist $260,925

Urologist $433,792 Magistrate $260,161

Vascular surgeon $417,524 Anaesthetist $243,582

Gastroenterologist  $415,192 Ophthalmologist  $217,242

Diagnostic and interventional radiologist  $386,003 Cardiologist $215,920

Dermatologist  $383,880  Urologist $213,094

Judge – law  $381,323 Surgeon – general  $210,796

Anaesthetist  $370,492 Medical oncologist $208,612 

Cardiothoracic surgeon  $358,043 Specialist physicians – other  $207,599

Surgeon – general  $ 357,996 Specialist physician – general medicine $207,225

Specialist physicians – other  $344,860 Otorhinolaryngologist $200,136

Radiation oncologist $336,994 Dermatologist $195,030

Medical oncologist   $322,178 Diagnostic and interventional radiologist  $180,695

Securities and finance dealer $320,452 Cardiothoracic surgeon  $175,500

Thoracic medicine specialist  $315,444 Paediatric surgeon  $175,314

Specialist physician – general medicine $315,114 Endocrinologist $174,542

Intensive care specialist $308,033 Member of parliament  $173,331

Renal medicine specialist $298,681  Rheumatologist $169,409

Neurologist   $298,543 Intensive care specialist $169,369

Financial investment manager $288,790 Emergency medicine specialist $165,786

Investment broker  $286,530 Orthopaedic surgeon $159,479

Paediatric surgeon  $282,508 Neurologist $155,217

Clinical haematologist $271,738 Renal medicine specialist $155,133

Futures trader  $264,830 Psychiatrist $152,437

Endocrinologist  $258,972 Clinical haematologist $147,970

Cricketer  $257,527 Paediatrician $147,347

Rheumatologist $256,933 Securities and finance dealer $145,208

Dental specialist $253,442 Dental specialist $140,505

Magistrate $246,737 Actuary $136,819

Equities analyst; Investment dealer $245,826 Radiation oncologist $135,678

Paediatrician $239,405 Financial investment manager $134,481

Stock exchange dealer Stockbroker $238,192  Petroleum engineer $133,315

Psychiatrist  $234,557  Mining production manager $133,061

Emergency medicine specialist $232,595  General medical practitioner $129,834

Member of parliament $232,093   Thoracic medicine specialist $127,645

Pathologist $224,378 Stockbroker $124,433

Company secretary – corporate governance $218,432 Paving plant operator $123,281

State governor  $212,652 Mining engineer $119,564

Actuary  $196,144 Tribunal member $119,219

Sports physician $187,468 Doctor – medical practitioner – other; Occupational medicine specialist; Public health physician; Sports physician  $118,310

Petroleum engineer $185,808  Geophysicist $117,575

General medical practitioner $184,639  Chief executive officer; Executive director; Managing director; Public servant – secretary or deputy secretary $116,855

Chief executive officer; Executive director; Managing director; Public servant – secretary or deputy secretary  $181,849  Engineering manager $116,732

Mining production manager  $179,439 Metallurgist $110,359

Source: ATO Taxation 

Statistics 2012-13

* For media comment or further information contact Alan McGillivray & Associates, Sydney on (02) 9821 2455 or email admin@mcgillivrays.com.au 

Matthew Henley B.Com M.Tax CPA 

Alan McGillivray FCA FCPA 

Cameron Jeans B.Com CPA SSA 

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