Over the past decade, the number of licensed healthcare professionals in South Korea has surged by nearly 900,000. However, one in three of these individuals holds an inactive license, often referred to as a 'dormant license.' The average annual salary for physicians stands at 285 million won, the highest among healthcare professions, with a notable increase in wage growth. The trend of physicians concentrating in the capital region and nurses gravitating towards large hospitals has become more pronounced over the last ten years.
On September 29, the Ministry of Health and Welfare released the results of the 'Second Health Workforce Survey,' which comprehensively analyzed the status and compensation of 232,000 healthcare professionals across 20 occupations. This survey provides a detailed analysis of changes over the past decade, linking the findings of the first and second surveys conducted from 2013 to 2023.
Of 2.324 million licensed professionals, 767,000 are inactive; nursing assistants see the largest increase
According to the ministry's findings, as of 2023, the total number of licensed professionals in 20 healthcare occupations reached 2.324 million, an increase of approximately 900,000 from 1.424 million in 2013, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.
By occupation, nursing assistants accounted for the largest group at 836,361 (36.0%), followed by nurses at 460,180 (19.8%), dietitians at 164,409 (7.1%), and physicians at 128,201 (5.5%). The occupation that saw the most significant increase over the decade was nursing assistants (+344,000), while the highest growth rate was observed among occupational therapists (average annual growth of 12.3%). In contrast, midwives were the only group to experience a decline in numbers, dropping from 6,430 to 6,323.
The issue lies in the activity rate. The total number of active professionals working in healthcare facilities was 1.557 million, representing only 67.0% of all licensed holders. Although this is an increase from the 61.7% activity rate in 2013, 33.0%, or 767,000 individuals, are classified as inactive, meaning they are not engaged in any specific work activities.
Physicians earn an average salary of 285 million won, leading the field; wage growth also highest
Examining the salary levels of professionals working in healthcare facilities reveals significant disparities among occupations. As of 2023, the annual salary for physicians is 285.18 million won, the highest, followed by dentists at 227.7 million won, traditional medicine practitioners at 103.68 million won, pharmacists at 84 million won, nurses at 52 million won, and nursing assistants at 32 million won.
Notably, physicians have experienced an average annual salary increase of 5.6% over the past decade, outpacing other professions (nurses at 3.5%, dentists at 3.1%, pharmacists at 2.7%, and traditional medicine practitioners at 0.6%). When examining salaries by type of healthcare facility, physicians in general hospitals earn an average of 199.76 million won, while those in private practices earn as much as 325.99 million won, and those in smaller hospitals earn 354.27 million won, indicating significantly higher wages in private practices and smaller hospitals.
Physicians concentrated in the capital region, nurses in large hospitals; polarization intensifies
The regional and institutional distribution of healthcare professionals has also become more pronounced. For physicians, the number of active professionals in healthcare facilities increased by about 30,000 over the past decade (from 82,000 to 112,000). However, the proportion of those working in the capital region (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon) rose from 53.2% to 55.6%, while the share in non-capital regions decreased.
By institution type, the increase in physicians was higher in small general hospitals and large nursing hospitals, while the growth rate of physicians in acute care facilities, such as tertiary hospitals, fell below the average (3.2%).
Conversely, nurses have shown a stronger tendency to work in large hospitals, with the proportion in tertiary hospitals rising from 27.4% to 28.4% and in general hospitals from 33.6% to 34.0%.
Both dentists and pharmacists have maintained a structure where over 80% continue to work in private practices and pharmacies, respectively, similar to a decade ago.
A ministry official stated, "The health workforce survey is a key resource for understanding the actual supply and demand situation and changes in the working environment of healthcare personnel. Based on the results of this decade-long time series analysis, we will ensure the development of excellent personnel and the establishment of policies for smooth supply and demand of workforce by region and field."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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