Honorary doctor salary: What does an honorary doctor earn in Germany?

As a fee-based doctor, you can expect an attractive salary that is often significantly higher than the earnings of permanently employed doctors. It is estimated that around 5,000 doctors in Germany work on a fee-based basis - and the number is rising. The pay allows you a high degree of flexibility and a good work-life balance. But what are the actual fees for short assignments and locum work? You can find a compact overview here.

On average, you will earn around 87 euros gross per hour as an honorary doctor, although pay can vary depending on the speciality and length of assignment. With a 40-hour week, the average fee-based doctor's salary is €3,480 per week, €15,138 per month and an impressive €181,656 per year. The hourly wage is usually between 50 and 100 euros, in top positions and depending on specialisation even up to 120 euros.

What does the fee-based doctor's salary depend on?

The salary of fee-based doctors is negotiated individually between the doctor and the client. In contrast to salaried doctors, whose earnings are usually regulated by collective agreements, the hourly wage for fee-based contracts depends on various influencing factors.

Specialism and professional experience as decisive criteria

Depending on the specialist area and specialisation, the earning potential for fee-based doctors can vary greatly. Especially in popular disciplines such as anaesthesia, Radiology or Surgery higher hourly rates are often possible. Many years of professional experience and additional qualifications also have a positive effect on the fee.

Negotiating skills and urgency to fill the position

In addition to professional criteria, negotiating skills and the urgency of filling the position also play a role in earnings. Physicians who negotiate their conditions confidently can often achieve higher hourly wages. If clinics or practices are in urgent need of support due to a shortage of doctors or staffing bottlenecks, this also improves the negotiating position regarding hourly rates.

Honorary doctor salary in clinics

As an honorary doctor in a clinic, you can expect an attractive salary. Compared to salaried doctors, you often earn significantly more per hour as an honorary doctor. This is because hospitals are increasingly reliant on the support of external doctors due to the shortage of specialised staff and are therefore willing to pay higher fees.

Honorary doctors: Average hourly wage and monthly salary

The average hourly wage for honorary doctors in clinics is between 87 and 120 euros gross. Depending on the speciality, professional experience and urgency of the vacancy, the salary of an honorary doctor can also be higher. With an average hourly wage of 87 euros and a working week of 40 hours, this results in a gross monthly salary of around 15,138 euros. This is a considerable salary, which emphasises the financial attractiveness of working as an honorary doctor.

Comparison with the salary of permanently employed doctors

Compared to permanently employed doctors, fee-based doctors often do better in terms of salary. A first-year medical specialist at a university hospital, for example, earns around 35 euros per hour. As an honorary doctor, however, you can earn two to three times as much. This financial advantage is a key reason why more and more qualified doctors are taking the plunge into self-employment as fee-based doctors.

The table shows the financial benefits of working as an honorary doctor compared to a permanent position. While permanent doctors earn around 6,067 euros gross per month in their first year at a university hospital, you can earn a monthly salary of 15,138 to 20,800 euros as an honorary doctor. This difference in salary makes it clear why the employment of freelance doctors is an attractive option for clinics to bridge staff shortages and ensure medical care.

Room for manoeuvre for fee-based doctor salaries

As a fee-based doctor, you have a lot of room for manoeuvre when it comes to your salary. Unlike salaried doctors, you are not bound by collective agreements and can negotiate your hourly wage individually. This allows you to organise your income flexibly and adapt it to your personal needs. The only limiting factor is time.

Individual negotiation of the hourly wage

Various factors play a role when negotiating your fee. Your qualifications, professional experience and specialisation have a significant influence on the hourly rate you can achieve. The urgency of filling a vacancy due to staff shortages and your negotiating skills can also have an impact on the result. According to statistics, fee-based doctors earn on average between 8,000 and 9,500 euros gross per month, with some even reaching over 13,000 euros.

Flexibility and work-life balance as a fee-based doctor

A major advantage of working as a locum doctor is the flexibility. You can decide for yourself when and how much you want to work. Many people use this opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance. For example, some work for several weeks at a time and then take a longer break. Others combine freelance work with part-time employment or use it as a lucrative sideline.

However, the flexibility also comes with a certain degree of uncertainty. As a freelancer, you are not permanently employed and must constantly acquire new assignments. Balancing work and family life can also be a challenge if assignments are planned at short notice.

Honorary doctor salary per hour in detail

As a fee-based doctor, you can earn attractive hourly wages depending on your specialism, qualifications and professional experience. On average, the gross salary per hour for an honorary doctor is around €86. But what are the exact salaries by specialism? You can find a detailed overview here:

The more professional experience and qualifications you have, the more room you have to negotiate your salary. As a specialist in internal medicine or psychiatry, you can earn maximum salaries of up to €120 per hour. With an hourly wage of €110, this results in impressive earning potential:

• Weekly salary (40h): 4.400€
• Monthly salary: €18,480
• Annual salary: over €200,000

These maximum salaries significantly exceed the average doctor's salary in a permanent position. However, attractive hourly wages are also possible as an assistant doctor, ranging from €75 to €95 depending on the speciality. In addition to qualifications, the urgency of the vacancy also plays a role in your salary.

Overall, working as a fee-based doctor not only offers exciting medical challenges, but also lucrative earning opportunities. With skilful negotiation and the right specialisation, you can optimise your salary and benefit from a flexible work-life balance.

Secondary employment as a fee-based doctor

A part-time job as a fee-based doctor offers you attractive opportunities to earn an additional salary alongside your main job. Over 40 per cent of doctors in Germany already have this kind of part-time job. On average, they invest 21 hours per month in this, while they work an average of 133 hours in their main job.

Opportunities for additional salary alongside the main job

As a fee-based doctor, you have various options to supplement your income. Around 29 per cent of doctors take on additional shifts in hospitals or other medical facilities. Depending on their qualifications and type of service, locum doctors can earn up to 120 euros per hour. This allows them to earn an average of 2,520 euros gross per month.

Observance of working time limits and authorisation requirements

If you are an employed doctor or a self-employed doctor with your own practice and wish to work part-time as a freelancer, you should always bear in mind the applicable working time limits. If you work a 40-hour week, you are allowed to work a maximum of 13 hours a week on a part-time basis, in exceptional cases up to 18 hours. It is also advisable to discuss your planned part-time employment with your main employer at an early stage, as authorisation is often required.