Not surprisingly, a compensation gap remains between specialists and primary care physicians, as well as among specialists, according to Medscape's 2015 Physician Compensation Report.
Specialists earn $284,000 annually, while primary care physicians have an average annual income of $195,000.
While specialists continue to earn more than their primary care colleagues, some specialists earn more than others.
Listed below are a few highlights from to report, which includes responses from more than 19,500 physicians across 26 specialties.
The three specialties with the highest average patient care incomes are:
- Orthopedists — $421,000
- Cardiologists — $376,000
- Gastroenterologists — $370,000
The three lowest-earning specialties are:
- Pediatricians — $189,000
- Family medicine— $195,000
- Endocrinologists and internists — both at $196,000
Only two physician specialties experienced a decrease in income in 2015; rheumatologists (4 percent decrease) and urologists (1 percent decrease).