Introduction
People often choose a career in the medical field for the love of helping others. The well-paying salary is also a bonus, but how much do doctors really make? It’s widely known that doctors make a lot of money, but not every doctor is the same and not every doctor makes as much as people think. Some doctors even make a lot more than what people think.
So the real question is, how much money can you make in the medical field? Well, it all depends on your career choice, and fortunately, there are several different career options to choose from.
Highest Paying Jobs in Medicine
Here’s a list of some of the highest paying jobs in medicine.
Anesthesiologist
The main task of an anesthesiologist is to administer anesthesia, but they are also responsible for overseeing patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures. This includes monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing during surgery. The national average salary for an anesthesiologist is the highest for any type of doctor at about $326,000 per year.
Surgeon
Working closely with anesthesiologists are surgeons. Surgeons are the doctors who perform procedures that alter the human body in some way. This can be for medical purposes (treating an injury or disease) or for cosmetic purposes (plastic surgery). On average, surgeons earn about $216,000 per year.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Often shortened to OB-GYN, these doctors specialize in women’s reproductive health. Their main responsibilities are to provide checkups and procedures for women before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth. OB-GYNs can expect to see a salary of around $192,000 per year.
Pediatrician
Pediatricians are doctors for children and teens under the age of 18, providing physical and mental care, as well as diagnosing and treating diseases and behavioral issues. On average, pediatricians are paid about $180,000 per year.
Optometrist
An optometrist specializes in eye health, screening for and treating diseases that affect the eyes. The average salary for an optometrist is about $118,000 per year.
Podiatrist
Podiatrists treat issues related to the feet and lower legs. They treat conditions such as athlete’s foot, bunions, calluses, flat feet, and gout. They can also set fractures and perform surgery if necessary. The average annual salary of a podiatrist is close to $112,000.
Pharmacist
A pharmacist’s main responsibility is to ensure that medications are being used correctly, whether it be by advising patients on which medications to take and how to take them, or by administering medications themselves in a safe and accurate way. On average, a pharmacist gets paid around $108,000 per year.
Factors that Affect Salaries
While some doctors may get paid a little more based on their experience, the two main factors that determine a doctor’s salary are specialty and location.
Specialty
As seen above, different types of doctors can get paid a significant amount more than other types. On average, specialty doctors get paid nearly $100,000 more per year than primary care doctors. Many would assume that it would be best to go into a specific field of medicine, but it comes with some disadvantages too; such as more years of schooling and residency, which costs more money. Specialists tend to have the most school debt and the highest dissatisfaction rates, so it’s especially important for these types of doctors to practice healthy habits to prevent burnout from work.
Location
Location is another huge factor when it comes to determining how much one could make as a doctor. For example, even though the average annual salary for an anesthesiologist is around $326,000, a certified anesthesiologist in Denver, Colorado can expect to make less than that (around $200,000 per year), while an anesthesiologist in New Haven, Connecticut can expect to make up to $375,000 per year. So if you’re looking to work in the medical field and relocation is not an issue for you, it’s a good idea to compare salaries in different locations. It’s also helpful to know how to write a professional resume or CV for a physician job, to better your chances of getting hired.
Conclusion
In general, doctors earn pretty good salaries in comparison to other jobs. However, there is a trade-off, since they require many more years of schooling than other jobs. The bottom line is that if this is something you’re passionate about, then it’s a good idea to enter the field of medicine. Just be aware that salaries differ based on what field of medicine you want to specialize in and where you’ll be working.