Despite an increase overall in physician compensation for 2018, African-American physicians make an average of $50,000 less per year than white physicians, according to Medscape's annual Physician Compensation Report.
In an online survey, Medscape gathered data from more than 20,000 U.S. physicians across 29 specialties to assess compensation, hours worked, time spent with patients and more. Respondents were required to be currently practicing physicians in the U.S.
White physicians received $308,000 in compensation while their African-American peers earned $258,000.
The survey also found pay gaps between African-American female physicians and male African-American physicians, with these female physicians making nearly $100,000 less than their male counterparts ($322,000 for men versus $225,000 for women).
Additionally, the survey found Asian-American physicians earned an average $293,000 per year and Hispanic/Latino physicians earned an average $278,000.
Medscape noted several factors that potentially contributed to the racial/ethnic pay gap, including age, choice of specialty and possible bias.