Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Physician vs Surgeon salary

In China, a surgeon earns about 19% more than a physician $235,990 vs $197,641 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CNY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Physician
$197,641/yr
Monthly
$16,475
Hourly
$95
Range
$126,490$284,603
10-yr outlook
+3%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$235,990/yr
Monthly
$19,661
Hourly
$113
Range
$151,033$339,825
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianSurgeon
Entry (10th)$126,490$151,033
25th$162,066$193,511
Median$197,641$235,990
75th$241,122$287,907
Senior (90th)$284,603$339,825

National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician or surgeon earn more in China?
A surgeon earns more, at about ¥1,600,000 per year vs ¥1,340,000 for a physician — roughly 19% (¥260,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A physician typically earns ¥857,600–¥1,929,600, while a surgeon earns ¥1,024,000–¥2,304,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician averages about ¥111,700 and a surgeon about ¥133,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a physician earns about ¥857,600 while a surgeon earns about ¥1,024,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a physician earns about ¥1,929,600 while a surgeon earns about ¥2,304,000 per year.
Are physician and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.