Doctor Salary in USA in 2023 - A Complete Guide on Doctors Salary in America

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Feb 27, 2023 04:47 PM IST

According to a new Medscape survey, physicians or doctors in the US are paid the most. They are the most satisfied with their pay and have the highest net worth in the country. Let us explore more about the doctor salary in USA!

Doctor Salary in USA in 2023 - A Complete Guide on Doctors Salary in America

Doctor salary in USA: Studying medicine in the USA is challenging and time-intensive that needs several years of hard work, passion and effort. The course curriculum involves active learning and critical thinking. Besides, undergraduate studies, at least seven years of medical training is required to study and work as a doctor in USA. 

Becoming a doctor is a large and risky investment plan but it promises huge returns in future. Probably it is the only profession that is recession-proof. The compensation and salaries are extremely high for most of the specialisations.

Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2021 found that the average salary of doctors increased during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Hence, this article will help you know more about the doctor salary in USA which will surely motivate Indian aspirants to pursue a career in this field.

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What is the Average Doctor Salary in USA?

Doctors make a lot of money especially if they are in high demand or have challenging specialities. According to US News, in 2021, physicians in the USA made a median salary of USD 208,000. The top 25% made USD 208,000 while the bottom 25% made USD 132,060. The dentists earned USD 125,690. 

As per Payscale, doctors earn around USD 211,000 per annum. The typical salaries include base salaries along with other benefits such as transport and accommodation. 

Doctor Salary in USA Based on Speciality

When considering what profession to specialise in or whether to pursue a medical degree, the average doctor salary in USA might be a crucial consideration. When evaluating specialities, there are numerous aspects to consider, and knowing how much money you might make will help with financial planning, giving you a solid approximation of when you can expect to pay off your medical school loans.

According to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report, primary care physicians in the United States will make USD 260,000 on average in 2021, while specialists will earn USD 368,000.

The table tabulated below shows the average annual salary of doctors in USA based on their specialities or specific job types:

Job types or Specialities in USA

Average Annual Doctor Salary in USA in USD

Behaviour Health Specialist

107,000

Chiropractor

115,000

Advanced Practice Provider

128,000

Correctional Treatment Specialist

179,000

Allergist

187,000

Counselling Psychologist

224,000

Family medicine

231,000

Diabetes and Endocrinology

236,000

Pediatric Specialist

238,000

Gastroenterology specialist

239,000

Psychiatry Specialist

255,000

Infectious Diseases

243,000

Internal Medicine

267,000

Clinical Psychologist

292,000

Cardiology Specialist

430,000

Neurology Specialist

359,000

Oncology Specialist

366,000

Ophthalmologist

482,000

Orthopaedics

482,000

Plastic Surgery

471,000

Radiologist

419,000

Urology Specialist

408,000

Note: Cardiology and orthopaedics have been among the top five-earning specialities in MedScape's annual report for the previous five years. Paediatrics, Family Medicine, and Diabetes & Endocrinology were among the lowest-ranked specialities.

Best Paying States for Doctors in USA

After knowing the top medical specialities earning the highest salary in USA, it is time to look at the list of top 10 states having the highest or the maximum average doctor salary in USA:

Top 10 States in the USA

Average AnnualDoctor Salary in USA in USD

Georgia

322,000

Indiana

322,000

Tennessee

323,000

Connecticut

323,000

Kentucky

324,000

Florida

325,000

Arkansas

326,000

Nevada

329,000

Alabama

330,000

Oklahoma

337,000

Best Paying Cities for Doctors in USA

Doctors' average earnings are greater in metropolitan locations. Here is the list of the top 25 metro areas or cities in the US with the highest average annual compensation for doctors:

Best Metropolitan Cities in the USA

Average Annual Doctor Salary in USA in USD

New York City

333,604

Miami

336,336

Kansas City

336,568

Nashville

337,914

San Francisco

338,407

Jacksonville

338,790

Indianapolis

339,411

Sacramento

345,168

Louisville

346,206

Seattle

346,721

Phoenix

347,065

San Diego

347,154

Bridgeport

348,089

Salt Lake City

351,300

Hartford

352,129

Cincinnati

354,129

Los Angeles

356,390

Atlanta

362,267

Dallas

362,472

Charlotte, N.C

368,205

Minneapolis

369,889

Riverside, Calif

371,296

New Orleans

384,651

Milwaukee

395,363

Know More About the Highest Paying Jobs in USA!

US Doctors Salary Trend in USA vs Other Countries

According to a new Medscape survey, doctors in USA are paid the most, are the most satisfied with their pay, and have the highest net worth. The findings also demonstrate that, regardless of country, female physicians earn significantly less than their male counterparts, in some cases by up to 75%.

Medscape's Worldwide Physician Compensation Report 2021 examined physician members from its US and international sites to learn about salaries, job satisfaction, everyday work issues, and the influence of Covid-19 on income. The paper examines data from the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, and Italy from Medscape's Compensation Reports 2021.

Now that we know about the average salary of doctors in USA, one should also know the difference between doctor salary in USA and the average US doctor salary in different parts of the world:

US Doctors Salary Trend in USA vs Other Countries

AnnualAverage Doctors Salaries in USD

United States

316,000

United Kingdom

138,000

Germany

183,000

France

98,000

Italy

70,000

Spain

57,000

Brazil

47,000

Mexico

12,000

Doctors in USA with the Highest Net Worth

The US has a far greater number of physicians who are happy with their pay (59%), followed by Germany, Brazil, and the UK. Oncologists, psychiatrists, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists in the United States were more likely to be satisfied with their pay. Physicians in Italy, Spain, and France are the most likely to be dissatisfied, with each reporting 75% or higher physician discontent.

In terms of net worth, US physicians or doctors are considerably ahead of those in other nations. The average physician salary in the US is somewhat more than USD 1.7 million. According to a Federal Reserve analysis, the average net worth for all households in the United States was USD 746,820, and the median net worth was USD 121,760.

In the United States, the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy, the most prevalent debt for physicians is a mortgage on their principal residence. Credit card debt is the most common type of debt in Mexico (52%). In Brazil, childcare was the most frequently mentioned (35%). In France, the question was not posed. Major costs included car loan payments, medical expenses, graduate school tuition, and child education.

Gender Gap in the Average Doctor Salary in USA

A national gender wage disparity in medicine occurs, mirroring a national trend in all disciplines. The Doximity 2019 Physician Compensation Report examined doctor earnings in US metro areas, discovering that male physicians earned an average of USD 1.25 for every USD 1 earned by female physicians in 2018.

Medscape found a similar trend across the country, with male Specialists earning 33% more than female Specialists and male PCPs earning 25% more. However, the difference looks to be closing year by year. Male physician compensation has remained flat, while female physician compensation has climbed by 2% over the previous year.

Self-Employed vs Full-Time Doctor Salary in USA

Over half of the physician workforce in the United States works for medical organizations or hospitals. While they benefit from regular and consistent paychecks and job security, self-employed workers earn more in the United States on average. There are currently over 50,000 doctors working as locum tenens in the United States, and the number is growing.

A locum, also known as a locum tenens, is a person who temporarily performs the tasks of another; the phrase is most commonly applied to physicians or clergy.

According to the Medscape Medical Resident Pay & Debt Report 2020, the average self-employed doctor's salary including locum tenens work, was USD 352,000. In comparison, employed physicians earn approximately USD 300,000 per year.

The Covid-19 Impact on Doctor Salary in USA and Other Countries

The impact of Covid-19 cases and deaths on physicians and other medical professionals was enormous, both personally and financially, as many offices closed for a while and physicians struggled to see patients.

Spain has had the greatest number of infected healthcare professionals in the globe over 20%, far more than other European countries. This meant that a huge number of professionals were segregated or confined, resulting in an overburdening of care for practising physicians.

Overall, at least one-quarter (26%) of physicians worldwide had their income fall in 2020 compared to the previous year, with US physicians suffering the greatest loss (41%). Many doctors claimed that their pay remained constant.

Having said that, the United Kingdom has one of the highest percentages of physicians who witnessed an increase in pay (34%). Career growth, increments (pay increases based on years of service), and a nationwide salary hike were all mentioned by UK physicians. More than 75% of doctors in each country who reported a loss in income blamed it on the pandemic.

Because of Covid-19, telemedicine grew in popularity last year, and many physicians are grateful that it kept them earning money. Over one-third of doctors worldwide report utilizing telemedicine. Physicians and doctors in USA, Germany, Italy, and Mexico have yet to return to see the same number of patients per week as they did before Covid. Physicians in Brazil and France, on the other hand, appear to be seeing the same number of patients weekly as before the outbreak.

Now that you know that the job profile and that the doctor salary in USA is quite lucrative, it is critical to understand that the road to pursuing your dreams of studying medicine in the United States can be daunting for many aspirants. Hence, we recommend you speak with an expert to understand your chances before making a move.

Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and allow our experts to guide you in each step of making your dream come true!

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FAQs

How much does a US doctor earn per month?

According to Glassdoor, US doctor earns around USD 183,429 on average, which is roughly USD 15,300, per month. It means that the average doctor's pay in the US is roughly INR 1.45 crore. The lowest national average annual pay was USD 126,470, while the highest was USD 208,000. 

What is the starting salary for a doctor in the USA?

The starting or entry-level salaries begin at USD 43,465 per year, with most experienced individuals or doctors earning up to USD 233,600 per year. The average medical doctor's salary is USD 183,429 per year or USD 87.26 per hour. 

Are doctors rich in USA?

Approximately half of the physicians polled have a net worth of less than USD 1 million. However, 50% are worth more than USD 1 million (with 7% worth more than USD 5 million). It should come as no surprise that the higher-paying speciality has the biggest net worth.

Why do US doctors get paid so much?

The supply of residency slots for each medical speciality or doctors in USA is controlled by resident review committees (controlled by members of those specialities), and regulatory hurdles to entry into medical specializations have long been identified as raising practitioner earnings.

Which is higher between doctor salary in USA and an engineer salary in USA?

Despite a starting pay that is more than three times that of an engineer, speciality doctors only outearn engineers in lifetime earnings when they are 45 years old. Engineers have a better financial situation than even specialised physicians between the ages of 22 and 44. A physician earns USD 246,142 per year on average. Whereas the national average salary for an engineer in USA is USD 68,746 per year.

How many hours do doctors work in USA?

According to the Work/Life Profiles of Today's Physician, released last year by AMA Insurance, most doctors in USA work between 40 and 60 hours per week, but nearly one-quarter work between 61 and 80 hours per week. Approximately 20% of respondents aged 60 to 69 work fewer than 40 hours every week.

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