Doctor SalariesDoctor Salaries have a wide range of earnings. This is based in part on the specialization into different practices such as cardiac surgeons, pathologists, oncology and family practice. The generalist or family practice doctor tends to be the lowest paid of the all the doctor salaries with such specialties as cardiac surgeon enjoying some of the highest of the doctor salaries. According to U.S. Department of labor statistics doctor salaries are separated into the following specialty areas; Family and General Practice, General Internists, Anesthesiologists, Obstetricians and Gynecological, Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, Surgeons, and Podiatrists. Family and General Practice Doctor Salaries In 2003 there were 111,990 family and general practice doctors in the United States earning approximately $139,640 per year. In 2009 that number has dropped to 99,000 earning an average of $168,550. That's an increase of $28910 but almost 13,000 less doctors to see patients. The lowest paid doctors earn $82,630 per year while the highest earn over $237,000 per year. General Internists Doctor Salaries In 2003 there were 50,140 general internists in the United States earning an average of $160,130 per year. In 2009 there are 48,270 earning an average of $184,990. The lowest paid internists earn over $93,000 while the highest average is over $250,000 per year. In 2003 there were 23,790 anesthesiologists earning an average of $$184,880 in the United States. In 2009 there are 37,450 earning an average of $211,750 per year. These doctor salaries range from a low of $115,000 to a high of $400,000 per year being reported in some cases. Keeping in mind that these are averages and that actual wages will vary widely from these figures. This type of doctor frequently goes into practice for themselves or with other anesthesiologists as a group. Obstetricians and Gynecological There are approximately 20,380 Obstetricians and Gynecological doctors working in the United States with the latest data being from 2009. The average annual salary is over $204,000 with a low of $99,500 and a high of $250,000 for these doctor salaries. The highest paying state for these doctors to earn salaries is Wisconsin and the best paying industry is physician offices also known as private practice. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there were 29,460 Pediatricians in 2009. The average pediatrician salary is $161,400. They earn a low of $84,840 to a high of $215,000 per year. Private practice or with a group practice is the best paying area for these doctors. In 2009 there were 22,210 psychiatrists working in the United States earning an average salary of $163,660. The low average is $65,500 and the high annual wage is $220,500. The best paying state to be psychiatrist is Oregon. Psychiatrists in a private or group practice enjoy the highest earnings. Of all the doctor salaries those of surgeons are the most misleading due to wide fluctuations in the earnings of the various specialists. A cardiac surgeon can earn as much as $400,000 per year while a general surgeon may make as little as $103,700. There were 44,560 surgeons in the United States in 2009 earning a range of $121,000 to $250,000 per year on average. Two of the highest paying surgeon jobs are cardiac and oral maxillary surgeon. Podiatrists in 2009 numbered 9720 and had average annual earnings of $31,500. The low average is $48,770 and the high average is over $150,000 per year. As with most doctors the best wages are in private practice. The majority of doctors engage in private practice or group practice. As such knowing how to run a small to medium sized business is a valuable skill for these professionals. Most of them do hire an office manager whose main role is to run the business. Of course, the need for doctors and other professionals have given rise to a temporary type of employment known as locum tenens |