The median combined salary for physicians and surgeons in 2012 was equal to or greater than $187,200 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but some physician specialties — especially surgeons — make much more.
At the end of 2013, surgeons comprised the highest paying physician group, with the orthopedic spine surgeons having the highest pay, raking in a median starting salary of $465,000, according to the 2013 Physician Salary and Compensation Survey published by Profiles.
The Physician Salary and Compensation Survey is based on a nationwide survey of over 80,000 practicing physicians as well as over 40,000 newly graduated physicians in each specialty area.
According to the survey, the 10 highest paying physician specialties in 2013 are:
1. Orthopedic spine surgery — Median starting salary of $465,000 and national six year practicing average of $628,000
2. Neurological surgery — $395,000 and $593,000
3. Cardiac & thoracic surgery — $360,000 and $525,000
4. Diagnostic radiology (interventional) — $335,000 and $472,800
5. Diagnostic radiology (non-interventional) — $330,000 and $447,850
6. Pediatric orthopedic surgery — $318,000 and $398,420
7. Orthopedic surgery — $315,000 and $488,500
8. Gynecological oncology — $300,000 and $405,000
9. Trauma surgery — $298,000 and $405,000
10. Pediatric surgery — $295,000 and $404,000