We’ll always need physicians, they’re an essential part of a healthy society. But how much do they get paid? It’ll depend on a whole host of factors. If you’re interested in getting into the profession, or curious that you’re getting paid what you’re worth, read on to discover the average salary of a physician in the US.
Permanent employment versus temporary employment in the medical profession
Currently, in the US, there are around 50,000 physicians who are employed temporarily and those numbers are increasing. Around half of all the physicians working are based in hospital or clinic settings, or work for medical groups. These workers will enjoy the stability of a regular paycheck and the associated benefits that come with it.
Conversely, those physicians who are self-employed tend to earn more, and finding work from reliable physician staffing companies means that as a medical professional, you’re likely to get steady work that’s well-paid and regular, with the chance to build up a lot of experience and goodwill.
Physicians in the US tend to earn more on average than any of their counterparts in other countries such as the UK and Europe, too.
Physician’s salaries can vary
Average salaries for physicians can vary a lot. They depend on the type of qualifications gained, where they live, and their experience level. In 2024, salaries for various physician’s roles are expected to rise steadily.
Factors that also affect how much a physician is paid can sometimes be affected by how much stress a particular role involves, how many hours are worked, and whether there is a high chance of burnout. Sometimes high sickness rates among healthcare professionals will also cause wages to rise as demand increases and the need for experienced staff is greater.
Finding work as a physician
A physician’s salary will also need to take into account their medical specialties and the subject areas they’ve studied. For instance, the highest-paid specialists at the current moment in the US are currently to be found working in plastic surgery clinics. The average salary there is somewhere in the region of $500,000.
At the lower end of the spectrum, physicians who specialize in oncology may be likely to attract a salary of around $400,000.
If we were to look at the salaries of various physicians in other significantly important trades then there are favorable comparisons to make. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that out of the top twenty best-paid occupations in the US, almost all were occupied by healthcare roles, so it’s a great profession to get into – after all, as long as humans exist, there will always be a great need for medical care!
Getting into the medical profession and becoming a physician offers so many benefits, as well as good opportunities for long-term financial security and a chance to make a real difference in the lives of citizens. The average salary of a physician in the US is a good one, with great chances of career improvement with time and experience.