The highest (and lowest) paid specialties in the US

For the report, USAFacts looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and found the median annual wage for physicians and surgeons in 2022 was $229,300 — almost five times more than the general median wage in America of $46,310.

USAFacts found a notable difference in the wages of physicians and surgeons compared to non-physician healthcare providers, including dentists, therapists, and nurses. The latter group had a median annual wage of $106,230, and roughly a third of them are RNs whose median annual salary was $81,220.

USAFacts found that cardiologists had the highest average annual wage among all specialties at $421,330, followed by non-pediatric orthopedic surgeons at $371,400. Meanwhile, pediatricians had the lowest average annual wage among all specialties at $203,240 followed by family medicine physicians at $224,460.

Wages also varied significantly by state, even among the same specialties, USAFacts found. The highest-paid specialists were non-pediatric orthopedic surgeons practicing in Hawaii who made an average yearly salary of $554,520.

Three other states also saw average salaries above $500,000, including:

• General surgeons in Louisiana ($534,920)
• Cardiologists in Idaho ($521,690)
• Dermatologists in Minnesota ($514,330)

Meanwhile, the lowest average annual wage for any specialty was among neurologists in West Virginia, whose average annual wage was $89,600. West Virginia also paid the lowest average annual salary to three other specialties — general internal medicine physicians, non-pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and pathologists. (USAFacts report, 10/16)

Physician employers are facing a shifting physician workforce. The classic playbook for physician recruitment and retention is no longer enough. Read on for the three trends driving the changes and tips for what your organization can do to win long-term loyalty.