Invasive cardiologists will earn an average starting salary of $590,000 — topping the list of the most lucrative specialties for new physicians, according to a report by Merritt Hawkins.
For the report, called "2018 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives," Merritt Hawkins analyzed 3,045 of its recruiting assignments from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
The average dollar amount listed below for each specialty comprises starting salaries, signing bonuses and other incentives offered to recruit physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Here are the top 10 starting salaries:
1. Invasive cardiologist: $590,000
2. Orthopedic surgeon: $533,000
3. Gastroenterologist: $487,000
4. Dermatologist: $425,000
5. Pulmonologist: $418,000
6. Otolaryngologist: $405,000
7. Urologist $386,000
8. Radiologist: $371,000
8. Anethesiologist: $371,000
10. Emergency Medicine: $358,000