Healthcare salaries continue to grow: 5 averages by occupation

Megan Knowles -

Healthcare professionals are receiving pay increases in the current job seeking market, according to the Health eCareers 2017–2018 Salary Guide.

The annual survey uncovers salary and employment trends of nearly 20,000 healthcare job seekers from the Health eCareers database. The majority of respondents currently work full time.

Findings showed that 87 percent of healthcare professionals are paid more or the same as last year.

Salary findings were based off base salary and hourly wage, excluding hourly wages below $8 or above $500 and base salaries below $1,000 or greater than $350,000 (or $750,000 for physicians and healthcare executives).

Base salary and hourly wage data were combined in some sections to reach an estimated annualized base salary. Average salary numbers reflected base salary plus overtime pay.

Here are the top 5 average salaries by occupation with salary change by percentage:

1. Physician/surgeon: $258,039 (up 1 percent)
2. Executive: $158,637 (up 18 percent)
3. Physician assistant: $108,311 (up 2 percent)
4. Nurse practitioner: $102,523 (up 2 percent)
5. Dentist/dental support:  $84,275 (up 20 percent)

Average salaries by specialty:

Physician/surgeon:

1. Head and neck surgery: $312,140
2. Obstetrics and gynecology: $241,755
3. Pathology: $241,236
4. Family medicine: $199,187

Physician assistant:

1. Emergency medicine: $128,645
2. Urgent care: $111,545
3. Orthopaedic: $110,455
4. Family medicine: $101,862

Nurse practitioner:

1. Internal medicine: $103,901
2. Family medicine: $97,674
3. Women's health/OBGYN: $97,604

Registered nurse:

1. Orthopaedic: $75,786
2. Emergency medicine: $74,893
3. Case manager: $72,466
4. Psychiatric/mental health: $70,403

More articles on compensation:
Glassdoor: Physicians hold down 'highest paying job' in 2017
Chief marketing executives increasingly among 5 top paid employees: 4 things to know
Analysis: Chief HR executives earn most in healthcare

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