The UK vs the USA

Dr. Naseer Khan

9 years ago

Let us compare working in the UK vs working in the USA for junior doctors.

1. Entry into the System

As I mentioned in my article PLAB vs USMLE, it is very easy to pass PLAB and enter the UK’s healthcare system for doctors. However, passing USMLE requires a lot of hard work, serious dedication, a lot of time, money, energy and patience. Also, keep in mind that there are pathways other than PLAB for entering the UK’s system.

The UK: very easy to enter the system.

The USA: requires hard work and serious dedication.

2. Entry into Training

Our first job in the USA is always a training job; our first job in the UK is almost never a training job. In the UK, we have to work at a non-training post for a few months before we can find a training post. Most doctors in the UK find a training job within a year (or two) after they start working in the UK.

The UK: first job is a non-training job.

The USA: direct entry into training.

3. Training Quality

The US arguably has better training than the UK. There are no facts to back this up.

The UK: great training.

The USA: arguably the best training.

4. Training Duration

Training duration varies widely in both the countries.

The UK: 3 years (GP ST) to 8 years (Medicine and Surgery).

The USA: 3 years (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics) to 5 years (Surgery) to 8 years (Neurosurgery).

5. Working Hours

Junior doctors in the USA work twice as much per week as they do in the UK.

The UK 40 to 48 hours per week.

The USA 80 to 110 hours per week.

6. Starting Salary

Starting salary in the UK and the USA is almost the same.

The UK: £2,700 ($3,500)

The USA: $3,200 (£2,500)

This is the take-home pay per month, after tax-deduction.

(The above values are only reference ranges and actual starting salary might vary 5 to 10 percent)

7. Consultants’ Salary

Consultants in the USA earn roughly the double as compared to consultants in the UK.

The UK: £75,000 – £100,000

The USA: $150,000 – $400,000

This is the salary per year, before tax-deduction.

(The above values are only reference ranges and actual salary might vary)

8. A Welfare State

A welfare state looks after its people; among other things it provides free healthcare and education to everyone.

The UK: a welfare state.

The USA: not a welfare state.

Summary

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I work in the UK or should I work in the USA?

This is a personal choice based on individual circumstances. However, the above-mentioned information might help you in making your decision.

2.If the road to the UK is so easy, why do most doctors prefer the USA over the UK?

Choosing where you want to work is a personal decision. However, most people choose the USA over the UK for the following reasons:

Lack of awareness about the UK pathway
Peer-following
The USA looks more attractive
Better pay for consultants in the USA
Arguably better training in the USA
Direct entry into training in the USA
Shorter training duration in the USA

3. If the USA has so many benefits, why should I work in the UK?

Again, choosing where you want to work is a personal decision. However, I and most of my friends chose the UK for the following reasons:

PLAB is an easy exam to pass.
PLAB takes less time, effort and money.
Easy entry into the system.
Training is easy to find.
One of the best training systems in the world.
Working hours are very easy.
Starting salary is the same as the UK.
The UK is a welfare state.

4. What is the difference between the pay scales in the UK and the USA?

Starting salary in the UK and the USA is almost the same for junior doctors.

The UK: £2,700 ($3,500)
The USA: $3,200 (£2,500)

(this is the take-home pay, after tax-deduction)

5. How much pay is enough in the UK?

It depends on your lifestyle, location, number of dependents and a few other factors. But the following might give you a general idea:

£1,900/month can be more than enough for a single person and just enough for a couple.

£2,700/month can be more than enough for a couple.

6. Would I be able to save money in the UK?

Again, it depends on the factors mentioned above. So savings can be different for every individual.

I have seen people save £1,000/month for a whole year and I have seen people not save anything even after a couple of years. So it depends on each individual and how they live.

7. How much tax would I have to pay in the UK?

The numbers mentioned in this article are exclusive of tax. These are the take-home salaries, after tax deduction. However, to learn more about pay scales and taxation in the UK, you can click here.

8. What is the difference between a training and a non-training job?

A training job is one in which there is career progression. In a non-training job, there is no career progression. Our internship (also known as House Job in Pakistan) and specialty training jobs (also knows as Residency in Pakistan) are training jobs.