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Average Doctor Salaries by Specialty
Rebecca Nolan
Group Content Manager
Medical professionals, especially doctors, include some of the highest-paid professionals in the world. However, a doctor’s salary varies significantly depending on their area of specialization. This is because each medical field requires different expertise and experience to practice effectively.
We will explore the average salaries of doctors by their respective medical specializations!
Average Doctor Salaries
With a survey done by Medscape, here is a complete list of average salaries of doctors by specialty in the USA. Please remember that these are averages only and will depend on location and place of work.
| Job Types | The Average Salary in the USA (USD) |
| Advanced Practice Provider | 128,000 |
| Allergist | 187,000 |
| Behaviour Health Specialist | 107,000 |
| Cardiology Specialist | 430,000 |
| Chiropractor | 115,000 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 292,000 |
| Correctional Treatment Specialist | 179,000 |
| Counselling Psychologist | 224,000 |
| Dermatologist | 291,000 |
| Diabetes and Endocrinology | 236,000 |
| Family medicine | 231,000 |
| Gastroenterology specialist | 239,000 |
| Infectious Diseases | 243,000 |
| Internal Medicine | 267,000 |
| Neurology Specialist | 359,000 |
| Oncology Specialist | 366,000 |
| Ophthalmologist | 482,000 |
| Orthopedics | 482,000 |
| Pediatric Specialist | 238,000 |
| Plastic Surgery | 576,000 |
| Psychiatry Specialist | 255,000 |
| Radiologist | 419,000 |
| Urology Specialist | 408,000 |
Let’s discuss a few of these most rewarding specialties in detail! Below are the top-earning specialties and some more information about their daily tasks.
- Cardiologists
Cardiologists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating heart-related problems. They are responsible for identifying and treating conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Cardiologists undergo extensive training, including four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency, and three or more years of specialized cardiology fellowship training. As such, the average salary for a cardiologist is around $430,000 per year, making it one of the highest-paying medical specialties.
- Orthopedics
Orthopedic surgeons are specialized medical professionals who diagnose and treat musculoskeletal system conditions, including bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. They provide a wide range of services, such as surgical and non-surgical treatment of injuries, deformities, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedic surgery can be highly specialized, and many orthopedic surgeons focus on specific areas of the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine, hand, foot, or hip. They are among the highest earners in the medical field, with an average salary of around $482,000 per year.
- Neurosurgeons
In addition to the aforementioned specialties, neurosurgery is one of the most challenging and specialized medical fields. Neurosurgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the nervous system, including complex issues such as brain tumors, nerve damage, and spinal cord injuries.
Due to the critical nature of their work and the high skill level required, neurosurgeons are among the highest earners in the medical field, earning an average salary of around $359,000 annually.
- Dermatologist
Dermatologists are highly specialized medical professionals who diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. They are trained to recognize and manage complex skin conditions, ranging from skin cancer to psoriasis and acne. They also deal with cosmetic issues such as wrinkles, scars, and other signs of aging that can impact a patient’s self-esteem and confidence.
With an average salary of around $291,000 per year, dermatology is one of the highest-paying specialties in the medical field, reflecting the high level of expertise and specialized knowledge for diagnosing and treat complex skin conditions.
- Gastroenterologists
Gastroenterologists are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. They are trained to use various diagnostic and treatment techniques, including endoscopy, colonoscopy, and other minimally invasive procedures.
The average salary for a gastroenterologist in the United States is around $239,000 per year, which is higher than the average salary for most other medical specialties. However, it’s important to note that the salary can vary depending on location and years of experience.
- Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the eyes. These medical experts deal with complex eye issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
As one of the most specialized and challenging fields in medicine, the average salary of an ophthalmologist is around $482,000 annually.
While being a doctor is a prestigious profession, a doctor’s salary varies significantly depending on their area of specialization. This can make it an important factor for a medical student when deciding on residency programs and beyond.
These salaries are only averages and can vary depending on a doctor’s location, years of experience, and other factors.
Nonetheless, it is clear that some medical specialties are more lucrative than others, and medical students may find this information if they are looking to specialize in a particular area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The highest-paying medical specialty are plastic surgeons, earning approximately $576,000 annually. Orthopedics and ophthalmologists have an average salary of around $482,000 annually. However, cardiologists also earn high salaries, averaging around $430,000 annually.
The salaries of medical specialties vary depending on the expertise and training required to practice effectively. Specialties that require more training, such as orthopedics and neurosurgery, tend to earn higher salaries than those that require less training, such as family medicine.
A doctor’s salary can vary depending on several factors, including:
Area of specialization
Location
Years of experience
Whether they work in private practice or for a healthcare organization
Becoming a doctor can be a highly rewarding career choice, both professionally and financially. However, it requires a significant investment in time, money, and dedication, including several years of education and training. If you want to become a doctor, apply for MCAT without any second thought and make your dream a reality. In this regard, our tutoring course can benefit you in many areas.
Aspiring doctors can choose a medical specialty based on their interests, skills, and personal goals. They can also consider factors such as job demand, potential earnings, and work-life balance in their chosen field. It’s important to research and talk to experienced professionals in the field before deciding.
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