Salary for People with Jobs as Physicians / Doctors

Researching Physician Salaries

Despite the recent slump in the U.S. economy, the health care industry continues to grow. This is good news for anyone interested in a medical career, including doctors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for physicians is bright; a 14 percent employment growth rate is projected over the next several years. But what can aspiring doctors expect when it comes to physician salaries? There is a commonly held assumption that a doctor's average salary is very high - the image of doctors as wealthy has been around for decades. The only difference now is that instead of aspiring to marry rich doctors, little girls can aspire to become rich doctors themselves!

It's true that physician salaries are often high - doctors are well-compensated for the work they do to heal and protect. However, long hours, stressful conditions, and years of schooling (and, in many cases, student loans) are all part of becoming a doctor. Physician salaries are high precisely because physicians have such stressful, highly-specialized jobs. But, for the average physician, salary is by no means the primary motivator to enter the medical field. That said, physician salary is still a factor, just as it is in any other career choice. The question, "what is the average physician salary" is so broad as to be nearly impossible to answer. Researching physician salary survey data provides answers to more specific questions regarding physician salaries, as well as a detailed look at the various factors affecting doctor salaries.

Physician Salary Survey Data

What is the difference in physician salaries by specialty? Is a physician salary affected by hospital setting? How does a doctor's average salary in the U.S. compare to doctors' salaries in other countries? These popular questions can all be answered with PayScale's physician salary survey data. The Physician Salary by City chart shows only minor variation in the average physician salary from one place to the next. Looking at Physician Salaries by Specialty, though, shows greater differences in salary, with plastic surgeons and ER doctors ranking high on the list. Physician salaries are also affected by employment setting, as shown in the chart for Physician Salary by Hospital Setting. The average physician salary can vary greatly depending on whether a physician works in a private practice, nursing home, general hospital or other setting. When viewing Physician Salaries by Years Experience, keep in mind that interns and medical residents may be paid less; physician salary survey data for starting salaries doesn't begin until after residency is completed.

Median Doctor's Salary vs. Doctor's Average Salary

PayScale's Dr. Salary can't prescribe medicine, but he can help with your physician salary research. Learn why searching for "median physician salary" will produce better results than "doctors average salary" by reading the Ask Dr. Salary article, "Why is Median Better than Mean for a Typical Salary?"

Physician Salary Links:

Cardiologist Salary
Oncologist Salary
Neurologist Salary
Physician Salaries by State
Physician Salaries by Specialty