The results from Medscape's latest physician compensation report reaffirm trends from the past: procedure-based and surgical physicians continue to make much more than primary care physicians and those who manage chronic diseases.
Orthopedists, including orthopedic surgeons, averaged $413,000 in total compensation last year, the most of any specialty. Cardiologists were second with $351,000. Family physicians and infectious disease physicians held the lowest two spots, earning $176,000 and $174,000, respectively.
Here are 25 statistics on physician compensation from last year, in descending order from highest-paid to lowest-paid. Note: Medscape's report is based on compensation information from more than 24,000 physicians.
1. Orthopedics — $413,000
2. Cardiology — $351,000
3. Urology — $348,000
4. Gastroenterology — $348,000
5. Radiology — $340,000
6. Anesthesiology — $338,000
7. Plastic surgery — $321,000
8. Dermatology — $308,000
9. General surgery — $295,000
10. Ophthalmology — $291,000
11. Oncology — $290,000
12. Critical care — $281,000
13. Emergency medicine — $272,000
14. Pulmonary medicine — $258,000
15. Obstetrics/gynecology — $243,000
16. Nephrology — $242,000
17. Pathology — $239,000
18. Neurology — $219,000
19. Rheumatology — $214,000
20. Psychiatry/mental health — $197,000
21. Internal medicine — $188,000
22. Diabetes/endocrinology — $184,000
23. Pediatrics — $181,000
24. Family medicine — $176,000
25. HIV/infectious disease — $174,000
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