New Report Reveals Doctor Salaries in Israel, Highlighting Pay Gaps

A new report from Israel's Ministry of Finance details the salary structure for public healthcare workers, revealing significant disparities based on experience, specialization, location, and role. The average full-time salary in public hospitals is NIS 22,560, with a median of NIS 18,804, while community clinics average NIS 23,326, with a median of NIS 16,971.

Salaries escalate with professional advancement. Interns earn an average of NIS 10,772, while residents average NIS 23,905. Certified specialists see a substantial increase, with junior specialists earning around NIS 34,418 and senior specialists averaging NIS 42,702. At the top of the public hospital pay scale are hospital directors, with an average monthly salary of NIS 83,245.

The report also highlights significant internal pay gaps. Among senior specialists in hospitals, the top 10% earn approximately NIS 104,650, while the bottom 10% earn about NIS 17,323, a difference of over sixfold. This disparity is influenced by factors like seniority, on-call duties, and management roles. In community clinics, senior specialists in the top income decile earn an average of NIS 103,717, compared to NIS 18,786 for those in the bottom decile.

Geographic location plays a role, with hospitals in "Periphery 1" (remote northern locations like Ziv Medical Center and Padeh-Poriya Medical Center) offering higher salaries, especially for senior staff and directors, to attract medical personnel. For instance, a department head in Periphery 1 earns an average of NIS 70,156, compared to NIS 49,150 in central Israel.

Additional income streams from health corporations and programs to shorten waiting times can significantly boost overall earnings. Specialists working in these combined roles can reach an average total monthly income of NIS 58,571, with about 31% coming from these supplementary activities. The top 10% of specialists in these combined roles can earn over NIS 102,268 monthly.

The report also noted a gender pay gap. Male specialists in hospitals earn an average of NIS 46,804 per month, while female specialists earn approximately NIS 41,010, a difference of about 15%. A similar gap exists in community clinics, with men earning about 11% more than women.