Gastroenterologists, dermatologists top list of richest physicians

Kelly Gooch -

Twenty percent of gastroenterologists and 19 percent of dermatologists report a net worth of more than $5 million, according to Medscape's 2019 Physician Wealth and Debt Report.

The report is based on data from the Medscape physician compensation survey, which provides survey responses from about 20,000 practicing U.S. physicians in more than 29 specialties.   

As part of the survey, physicians reported their net worth. This was defined as total assets (for example, money in bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, equity in one's home, value of cars, value of jewelry) minus total liabilities (such as, mortgage, car loans, credit card debt, school loans, home equity loans). 

Below is a list of specialties and the share of physicians in those specialties with a net worth of more than $5 million.

  • Gastroenterology: 20 percent
  • Dermatology: 19 percent
  • Plastic surgery: 18 percent
  • Orthopedics: 18 percent
  • Ophthalmology: 17 percent 
  • Radiology: 16 percent
  • Urology: 14 percent
  • Cardiology: 13 percent
  • Oncology: 11 percent
  • Allergy and immunology: 10 percent
  • Nephrology: 10 percent
  • Anesthesiology: 10 percent
  • Otolaryngology: 10 percent
  • Pathology: 10 percent
  • General surgery: 8 percent
  • OB/GYN: 7 percent
  • Neurology: 6 percent
  • Pulmonary medicine: 5 percent
  • Public health and preventive medicine: 5 percent
  • Critical care: 4 percent
  • Infectious diseases: 4 percent
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation: 4 percent
  • Rheumatology: 4 percent
  • Internal medicine: 4 percent
  • Psychiatry: 4 percent
  • Family medicine: 3 percent
  • Pediatrics: 3 percent
  • Diabetes and endocrinology: 2 percent
  • Emergency medicine: 2 percent

 

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