Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Physician vs Surgeon salary

In Japan, a surgeon earns about 118% more than a physician $296,825 vs $135,965 per year.

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

Healthcare
Physician
$135,965/yr
Monthly
$11,331
Hourly
$65
Range
$87,018$195,790
10-yr outlook
+3%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$296,825/yr
Monthly
$24,736
Hourly
$143
Range
$189,968$427,429
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianSurgeon
Entry (10th)$87,018$189,968
25th$111,491$243,397
Median$135,965$296,825
75th$165,878$362,127
Senior (90th)$195,790$427,429

National Japan figures in JPY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician or surgeon earn more in Japan?
A surgeon earns more, at about ¥48,050,000 per year vs ¥22,010,000 for a physician — roughly 118% (¥26,040,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A physician typically earns ¥14,086,400–¥31,694,400, while a surgeon earns ¥30,752,000–¥69,192,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician averages about ¥1,834,200 and a surgeon about ¥4,004,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a physician earns about ¥14,086,400 while a surgeon earns about ¥30,752,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a physician earns about ¥31,694,400 while a surgeon earns about ¥69,192,000 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.