Talking about your salary remains relatively taboo in France. So, in the business world, it's a topic of conversation that we rarely discuss – out of embarrassment or modesty, no doubt. However, in the common imagination, there are some professions that we associate with sky-high salaries: football players, models or even… doctors.
A young doctor barely earns 1000 euros per month
But how much does a doctor really earn at the start of their career? In a video recently published on Instagram, Dr. Alexandre Mensier, who is a visceral and digestive surgeon (and who can be found behind the account @thefrench_chirurgien), gives us some figures. And ultimately, it's not that much!
“As a reminder, to train a general practitioner, you must 9 years of study. For a specialist doctor or surgeon, it is between 11 and 13 years of studyfirst explains Dr. Alexandre Mensier. During medical studies, there are 2 main periods: first the externship (which lasts 5 years and which is common to all doctors) then the internship (which lasts 3 years for a general practitioner, and 5 years for a specialist).“
Young doctors' overtime hours are not paid!
Let's come to the question of salary. “During the externship, we are paid between 300 euros and 500 euros per month, describes Dr. Alexandre Mensier. Two options: either we still live with our parents (and then Tanguy syndrome sets in…), or we rent a university room for around 50 euros per month for 10 m².”
Ensuite, during the internship, “we are paid between 1500 euros and 2000 euros per month, for a minimum of 50 to 60 hours per week. In surgery, we tend to work around 70-80 hours per week…” develops the young doctor. As for overtime, “They don't get paid at all!“ Enough to save the State a lot of money.
Conclusion of the visceral and digestive surgeon? “Medical studies are long and poorly paid but for me, it is the most beautiful job in the world..”
Source : Instagram
