Top Doctor Salaries
Physicians are among the highest earners in the healthcare field. How much physicians are paid depends on their medical specialty and type of practice, as well as their schedule, patient mix, and even their location can affect their income.
However, there are averages and benchmarks for each specialty based on data compiled by professional organizations and other institutions. One of the most referenced collections of data is compiled annually by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). They release their data in the middle to end of each year, for the previous year. Based on the 2011 data, below is a list of average income for some of the most popular physician specialties.
Anesthesiologists are among some of the most well-compensated physicians. Anesthesiologists administer pain blocks and anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or procedures in the hospital, outpatient surgery center, or dental office.
The nature of their work can be demanding and stressful. Also, anesthesiologists are obviously a key component of a good surgery department, and therefore a lot of hospital revenue depends on their performance as well as on the surgeons on staff.More »
Dermatology is another one of the more highly compensated specialties. Dermatology is lucrative because it entails a combination of high-paying procedures that are medically necessary, such as skin cancer biopsies, skin conditions, etc. while also allowing doctors an opportunity to earn additional cash with aesthetic procedures such as botox, fillers, laser hair removal and other lucrative elective procedures.More »
Family practice physicians provide primary care and are not as well reimbursed as many of their specialist physician counterparts. The above figure is the average income for an FP who also practices obstetrics (delivers babies) as part of his or her practice. Without OB, the pay drops slightly to about $207,916. And the annual income drops further if the doctor only practices on an outpatient basis, to about $193,390.More »
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Geriatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in treating elderly patients.
Oncologists diagnose and treat malignancies (cancers) of tissue and blood.
Palliative care is a relatively new specialty. Palliative care physicians specialize in treating terminally ill patients.More »
Hospitalists are internal medicine physicians or family practitioners who only treat patients in a hospital setting (inpatient).More »
Neurologists treat disorders of the brain, spine, and nervous system.
However, there are averages and benchmarks for each specialty based on data compiled by professional organizations and other institutions. One of the most referenced collections of data is compiled annually by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). They release their data in the middle to end of each year, for the previous year. Based on the 2011 data, below is a list of average income for some of the most popular physician specialties.
Anesthesiologist
Average Income: $406,154Anesthesiologists are among some of the most well-compensated physicians. Anesthesiologists administer pain blocks and anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or procedures in the hospital, outpatient surgery center, or dental office.
The nature of their work can be demanding and stressful. Also, anesthesiologists are obviously a key component of a good surgery department, and therefore a lot of hospital revenue depends on their performance as well as on the surgeons on staff.More »
Cardiologist
There are several different types of cardiologists, and income varies accordingly.- Invasive cardiologist: $499,486
- Interventional cardiologist: $553,890
- Noninvasive cardiologist: $444,220
- Electrophysiologist: $571,508
Dermatologist
Average Annual Income: $451,953Dermatology is another one of the more highly compensated specialties. Dermatology is lucrative because it entails a combination of high-paying procedures that are medically necessary, such as skin cancer biopsies, skin conditions, etc. while also allowing doctors an opportunity to earn additional cash with aesthetic procedures such as botox, fillers, laser hair removal and other lucrative elective procedures.More »
Family Medicine Practitioner
Average Annual Income: $211,083Family practice physicians provide primary care and are not as well reimbursed as many of their specialist physician counterparts. The above figure is the average income for an FP who also practices obstetrics (delivers babies) as part of his or her practice. Without OB, the pay drops slightly to about $207,916. And the annual income drops further if the doctor only practices on an outpatient basis, to about $193,390.More »
Gastroenterologist
Average annual income: $496,874More »
Geriatrician
Average annual income: $188,885Geriatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in treating elderly patients.
Hematologist/Oncologist
Average annual income: $444,510Oncologists diagnose and treat malignancies (cancers) of tissue and blood.
Hospice/Palliative Care
Average annual income: $198,091Palliative care is a relatively new specialty. Palliative care physicians specialize in treating terminally ill patients.More »
Hospitalist
Average annual income: $225,630Hospitalists are internal medicine physicians or family practitioners who only treat patients in a hospital setting (inpatient).More »
Neurologist
Average annual income: $276,421Neurologists treat disorders of the brain, spine, and nervous system.
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