When you take your medical entrance exams, how much you will make as a doctor is probably the last thing on your mind. But after you prepare for your exams, complete your MCATs, and make it into your dream medical school, it is time to start thinking about the future. Should you pursue a specialty? Does your specialty influence your future earning potential? How much do doctors make, and how much can you expect to earn?
What Influences Doctors’ Salaries?
The most important factor on your future earnings as a doctor is the type of medicine you choose to practice. Statistics show that family doctors and pediatricians simply do not make anywhere near as much as surgeons and cardiologists do.
Another factor in a doctor’s salary is the geographic location where he or she practices. Doctors in major metropolitan areas bring home more than they would in rural locations.
Other factors that may have an impact on what doctors earn include the hospital they are affiliated with, their experience level, and even their demeanors.
How Much Do Doctors Make? Comparing Salaries
Who averages the highest salary in the medical field? We have compiled the following data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, and the MedScape Physician Compensation Report of 2019.
Top Earners in the Medical Field
Orthopedic Surgeons $482,000
Cardiologists $430,000
Urologists $408,000
Otolaryngologists $461,000
Anesthesiologists $392,000
Dermatologists $419,000
Oncologists/Hematologists $359,000
Radiologists $419,000
Surgeons (General) $362,000
Gastroenterologists $417,000
Pulmonologists $331,000
Average Salaries for other U.S. Physicians and Specialists
OB-GYN $303,000
Ophthalmologists $366,000
Neurologists $267,000
Rheumatologists $259,000
Psychiatrists $260,000
Pediatricians $225,000
Family Physicians $231,000
