Although physician compensation has begun to plateau across the U.S., the gender wage gap may be decreasing, according to a 2019 Physician Compensation Report conducted by Doximity and released in March.

The Doximity survey looked at 90,000 licensed U.S. physicians to evaluate regional and national trends. Results showed that cardiology has the seventh highest average annual compensation, while pediatric cardiology is among the specialties with the lowest average annual compensation.

Overall the survey showed that wages were flat nationally, "with less than one percent decrease in physician compensation between 2017 and 2018." However, there is regional variance with physicians in less populated metro areas receiving higher compensation vs. larger cities.

In looking at employment type, physicians employed by hospitals, health maintenance organizations or academic settings saw a decrease in compensation from 2017 to 2018. "Hospitals and health systems should note employee and independent contractor wages are declining, while independent practice wages are on the rise," note the authors of the report.

In terms of gender wage gaps, in 2017 the gap was at 27.7 percent, with female physicians earning $105,000 less than male physicians. In 2018, the gap decreased to 25.2 percent, with female physicians earning $90,490 less. According to the report, "Despite the progress in the overall gender wage gap, most metro areas with larger gaps saw an increase between 2017 to 2018. However, metro areas with smaller gender wage gaps saw the gap improve."

Commenting on the report, Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, chair of ACC's Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, explains, "This is good news. Cardiology continues to be one of the highest paid specialties, as befits the duration of training required and the intensity of our work. Even small progress seen in closing the gender gap is welcome and indicates that our profession is on the right track in becoming more welcoming to women."

Keywords: Health Maintenance Organizations, Salaries and Fringe Benefits, Physicians, Women, Employment

< Back to Listings