The average signing bonus for physicians reached an all-time high in 2017, growing to nearly $30,000, according to The Medicus Firm's annual Physician Placement report.
Here are five things to know about the report.
1. The national healthcare recruiting firm looked at hundreds of placements from over 250 healthcare systems and hospitals across 52 specialties, which included nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
2. Primary care physicians made up 39 percent of placements in 2017, up from 35 percent last year. Family practice was the most commonly placed specialty, followed by internal medicine and hospitalists.
3. Signing bonuses for physicians have increased in both size and popularity over the last few years, from the low $20,000 range in 2011, to nearly $30,000 in 2017. The largest signing bonus paid in 2017 was $200,000.
4. A significantly smaller number of physicians were placed into a private practice setting. Hospitals placed roughly 57 percent of the total placements in 2017, followed by group practices at 33 percent.
5. Additionally, 88 percent of all physicians placed in 2017 were employed, primarily by hospitals and groups.