Female physicians earn over $100k less than male physicians on average: 4 findings

The national gender pay gap for physicians increased in 2017, as female physicians earned $105,000 (27.7 percent) less than their male counterparts on average. The 2016 gap was 26.5 percent, when female physicians earned $91,284 less than male peers, according to Doximity's second annual Physician Compensation Report.

Doximity gathered self-reported compensation survey data from more than 65,000 licensed U.S. physicians who practice at least 40 hours a week. The report explores how compensation changed from 2016-17, evaluating trends across metropolitan areas, medical specialties and gender.

"All healthcare stakeholders should be aware of the differences in compensation for men and women across the country," said Christopher Whaley, PhD, lead report author. "Compensation inequity can directly affect where and what physicians choose to practice, which could ultimately affect patient access."

Here are four findings from the report.

1. Similar to Doximity's 2016 findings, there is no medical specialty in which female physicians earn more than male physicians. Additionally, women earn less than men in all of the top 50 metro areas analyzed in the report.

2. The metro areas with the largest increase in gender wage gaps from 2016-17 were Charleston, S.C. (8.6 percent increase); Ann Arbor, Mich. (8.2 percent increase); Riverside, Calif. (8.0 percent increase); Providence, R.I. (6.4 percent increase); and Indianapolis (6.1 percent increase).

3. The metro areas with the largest wage gaps for female physicians in 2017 were Charleston, S.C. (female physicians earned $134,499 less); Kansas City, Mo. ($131,996 less); Nashville, Tenn. ($118,706 less); Riverside, Calif. ($115,991 less); and Providence, R.I. ($108,796 less).

4. The medical specialties with the largest gender wage gaps in 2017 were orthopedic surgery (female physicians earn $101,291 less); gastroenterology ($86,447 less); urology ($84,799 less); hematology (female physicians earn $78,753 less); and occupational medicine ($59,174 less).

To download Doximity's full report, click here.

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