In the face of continuously changing healthcare reform laws, the increasing need for healthcare as baby boomers reach retirement age, nationwide physician shortages and other factors, the overall demand for physicians is on the rise — but some states show vastly different numbers of practicing physicians.
According to a recent census survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, there are 893,851 practicing physicians in the United States, including primary care and specialist physicians.
The following 10 states have the most practicing physicians:
1. California — 101,232 total practicing physicians
2. New York — 77, 332
3. Texas — 57,815
4. Florida — 50,031
5. Pennsylvania — 45,167
6. Illinois — 38,397
7. Ohio — 37,397
8. Michigan — 34,176
9. Massachusetts — 31,363
10. New Jersey — 26,926
The following 10 states have the fewest practicing physicians:
1. Wyoming — 1,118
2. Alaska — 1,710
3. North Dakota — 1,779
4. South Dakota — 1,854
5. Vermont — 2,115
6. Montana — 2,142
7. Delaware — 2,815
8. Idaho — 2,844
9. Hawaii — 3,645
10. New Hampshire — 3,841