Physicians and surgeons are healthcare providers who can examine patients, diagnose diseases, and treat them. Compared to other healthcare professionals, doctors undergo the longest and most difficult training. They also have duties that extend beyond the clinic, such as administration or research. For these reasons, physicians are well-respected and revered for the value that they bring to society.
Many people also think of doctors as being highly paid and wealthy. Physicians often top the lists of highest-paying jobs in America. But is this true? It is definitely true that they make a very healthy annual salary. But how much do doctors make per hour?
So how much do doctors make? Well, according to the Medscape 2020 Compensation Report, primary care physicians earned an average of $243,000 in 2019. Specialists reported earning an average of $341,000. But these numbers give you a wide range of salaries for a doctor and you need more context into the numbers. It is also important to think about the amount of hours worked when discussing compensation for physicians and surgeons.
Surgeons are known to have long, grueling work hours. They are also some of the highest-paid specialists. However, are they actually getting paid more per hour, or do they just work more than everyone else?
In addition to specialty, there are other factors that play into the salary (or wage), such as practice environment, employer, and geographical location.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at how much doctors make per hour (and annual salary) across different specialties. We will also look at how other factors can influence how much doctors get paid an hour, or their annual salary.
Table: How Much Doctors Make an Hour According to Specialty
Obtaining information on how much doctors make an hour is no simple task as the work hours vary so much according to specialty, area of practice, and practice setting. However, we believe the numbers below represent a fairly accurate picture of how much physicians make per hour. The numbers are derived from analyzing several factors and sources. We will go further into methodology in the sections below.
| Specialty | Average Annual Salary | Average Hours Worked per Year | Average Hourly Wage | Average Hours Worked per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiologists | $392,000 | 2,609 | $150.25 | 55.5 |
| Family Medicine | $231,000 | 2,664 | $86.71 | 55.5 |
| Internal Medicine | $243,000 | 2,760 | $88.04 | 57.5 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $303,000 | 2,712 | $111.72 | 56.5 |
| Pediatricians | $225,000 | 2,448 | $91.91 | 51.0 |
| General surgeons | $362,000 | 2,656 | $136.30 | 56.5 |
From the table above of the various medical specialties, we see that anesthesiologists make the most per hour ($150.25) while family medicine doctors make the least per hour ($86.71). Aside from anesthesiology and general surgery, the table above consists of primary care specialties. And as you can see, even in primary care, the physician salaries vary widely.
Physician and Surgeon Job Growth and Comparison Data
Over the next decade, demand for physicians is expected to grow due to the increasing population, especially those aged 65 and above. Specifically, the elderly population is projected to increase 48% by 2032, compared to only 3.5% for the population under age 18. As the elderly population requires more care for chronic diseases, they will be responsible for much of the demand for healthcare providers. In addition, there is currently an unmet need for primary healthcare providers, especially in rural areas.
For these reasons, the demand for doctors and surgeons is expected to increase in the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected the overall employment for physicians and surgeons to grow by 7% between 2018-2028.
As of 2018, it was estimated that there were 756,800 employed physicians and surgeons in the United States. By 2028, this number is expected to be 812,200. Of the 55,400 new physicians, 12,400 (22.3%) are expected to become family and general practitioners.
Despite the demand for general practitioners in family and internal medicine, they are not the highest-paid physicians. Family medicine physicians make $231,000 per year while internal medicine practitioners make $243,000 per year.
Like family and internal medicine, pediatricians are also considered general practitioners. Pediatrics is the lowest paid specialty at $232,000 per year.
Specialists such as anesthesiologists and surgeons make a lot more money in comparison. The table below lists the annual wages
Table: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 Wages According to Specialty
| Average Annual Salary | Employment 2018 | Projected Growth 2018-2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiologists | $392,000 | 34,500 | 4% |
| Family Medicine | $231,000 | 126,600 | 10% |
| Internal Medicine | $243,000 | 42,800 | 4% |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $303,000 | 20,700 | 2% |
| Pediatricians | $225,000 | 32,400 | 2% |
| General surgeons | $362,000 | 38,700 | 1% |
To calculate the hourly wage for the different specialties, we will be using the Medscape Compensation 2019 Reports for each specialty to acquire the compensation and hours worked. We will also be using the Medscape Lifestyle Report to determine the number of weeks each specialty spends working. Using this information, we will calculate the hourly wage for each specialty.
For the regional and occupational data, we will use the statistics from the BLS website. There is a discrepancy between these numbers and the compensation numbers published by Medscape. However, the BLS data still gives an idea how compensation can change between different occupations and geographical locations.
How Much Anesthesiologists Make Per Hour
Anesthesiologists play a key role in surgeries and other procedures. They are responsible for administering an anesthetic that can put a patient “to sleep” during the operation. The anesthesiologist also monitors the patient’s bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, and temperature to make sure they are stable during the procedure. After the surgery, the anesthesiologist will reverse the anesthetic.
Anesthesiologists also provide regional anesthetics for procedures such as epidural injections. They can also specialize in pain control and provide relief for pain from a range of causes.
Anesthesiologists must train for four years after medical school. They can also pursue fellowships to further train in subspecialties such as critical care, pediatrics, and neuroanesthesia.
According to the Medscape Anesthesiology Compensation 2019 Report, anesthesiologists spend an average of 46 hours seeing patients and 9.5 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 55.5 hours per week. More than half of anesthesiologists take five or more weeks of vacation.
The average annual compensation is $392,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming five weeks of vacation, anesthesiologists work 2,609 hours a year. This works out to an average hourly pay of $150.25.
Below is a table listing the wages for anesthesiologists in different occupational environments and geographical locations. Anesthesiologists who work in outpatient settings get paid the highest, while those in academic settings get paid the lowest. Three of the top-paying states are in middle America while two are coastal states.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average wage
| Employment | Hourly Average Wage | Annual Average Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Hospitals | 140 | $131.97 | $274,500 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 720 | $131.32 | $273,140 |
| Office of Physicians | 25,500 | $130.84 | $272,140 |
| Office of Dentists | 50 | $115.47 | $240,180 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 4,020 | $100.19 | $208,390 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 190 | $89.51 | $186,190 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 300 | $60.24 | $125,300 |
Top Paying States for Anesthesiologists (Annual Salary)
| South Dakota | $293,110 |
| Nebraska | $290,470 |
| California | $288,420 |
| North Carolina | $285,730 |
| Ohio | $285,000 |
How Much Family Medicine Doctors Make An Hour
A family medicine doctor has been trained in both adult and pediatric medicine. They are typically trained in outpatient patient centers where they provide care for members of the community, both young and old.
Family medicine practitioners must complete three years of residency training after medical school. They can also pursue fellowships in subspecialties such as critical care, sports medicine, and geriatric medicine.
According to the Medscape Family Physician Compensation 2019 Report, family doctors spend an average of 37 hours seeing patients and 15.5 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 55.5 hours per week. More than half of family medicine physicians take between three and six weeks of vacation.
The average annual compensation for family doctors is $231,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming four weeks of vacation, they work 2,664 hours a year. This works out to an average hourly pay of $86.71.
Family physicians employed in outpatient centers and psychiatric hospitals receive the highest compensation. Academic family physicians receive the lowest compensation. Of the five top states for family physicians, only one (Washington) has a major metropolitan center.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average wage
| Employment | Hourly Average Wage | Annual Average Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 470 | $107.08 | $222,730 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 7,570 | $107.02 | $222,590 |
| Office of Physicians | 73,540 | $104.13 | $216,600 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 19,840 | $98.22 | $204,310 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 180 | $96.47 | $200,660 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2,160 | $77.92 | $162,080 |
Top Paying States for Family Medicine (Annual Salary)
| New Hampshire | $262,620 |
| Alaska | $254,270 |
| Wisconsin | $251,710 |
| Washington | $238,150 |
| Rhode Island | $237,600 |
How Much Internal Medicine Doctors Make An Hour
The role and training of an internal medicine doctor is very similar to that of a family physician. There is one big difference. These doctors focus only on adult care.
Internists also train for three years after residency like a family physician. However, they receive more in-depth training in each internal medicine subspecialty, such as endocrinology, infectious disease, and rheumatology. They are trained in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
Internists can go on to subspecialize in fields such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and immunology, but this requires additional years of training.
According to the Medscape Internists Compensation Report 2019, internists spend an average of 39.5 hours seeing patients and 18 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 57.5 hours per week. More than half of internist physicians take between three and six weeks of vacation.
The average annual salary of internists is $243,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming four weeks of vacation, internists work 2,760 hours a year. This means they have an average hourly wage of $88.04.
Internists who work in-home health services are paid the highest, followed by outpatient care centers. These internists are often employed in private practices. Internists in academic settings are paid the lowest. Compared to other specialties, internists appear to have the largest range in compensation difference between the highest and lowest employment setting.
The top five highest paying states for internists are all considered to be in more rural parts of the country and do not have major metropolitan centers.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average pay
| Employment | Hourly Average Wage | Annual Average Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health Care Services | 110 | $129.91 | $270,220 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,690 | $117.28 | $243,940 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 100 | $110.67 | $230,190 |
| Office of Physicians | 25,710 | $107.86 | $224,350 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 400 | $91.14 | $189,570 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 12,410 | $82.30 | $171,190 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $45.25 | $45.25 | $94,120 |
Top Paying States for Internal Medicine (Annual Pay)
| South Dakota | $281,590 |
| New Mexico | $280,620 |
| Wyoming | $273,570 |
| North Dakota | $266,540 |
| Indiana | $257,270 |
How Much Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB-GYN) Make An Hour
OB-GYN specialists are doctors who specialize in female reproductive health. They work with pregnant women to monitor pregnancy and perform procedures during childbirth. They can also perform other surgical procedures to remove cysts or repair injuries to the reproductive organs. OB-GYNs additionally work with other aspects of female health such as fertility treatments, urinary issues, and STIs.
To become an OB-GYN, a doctor must undergo four years of training after medical school. They can further subspecialize in oncology, fetal medicine, endocrinology and infertility, or pelvic surgery.
According to the Medscape OB-GYN Compensation Report 2019, OB-GYNs spend an average of 41.5 hours seeing patients and 15 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 56.5 hours per week. More than half of internists physicians take between three and six weeks of vacation.
The average annual compensation is $303,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming four weeks of vacation, OB-GYNs work 2,712 hours a year. This means they have an approximate average hourly wage of $111.72 per hour.
OB-GYNs who work in the offices of physicians are paid the highest. This includes independent private and group practices. OB-GYNs in academia are paid the lowest annual average wage.
Of the top five states for OB-GYN, South Carolina is the only coastal state. This list is diverse otherwise, as it includes the Midwest, East Coast, and South states.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average wage
| Employment | Hourly Average Wage | Annual Average Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians | 13,130 | $116.42 | $242,160 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,000 | $111.58 | $232,090 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospital | 3,860 | $100.81 | $209,690 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 40 | $85.58 | $178,000 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 300 | $77.52 | $161,240 |
Top Paying States for Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Annual Salary)
| New Mexico | $287,680 |
| Colorado | $286,560 |
| Indiana | $285,180 |
| Alabama | $284,380 |
| South Carolina | $283,910 |
How Much Pediatricians Make An Hour
Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in treating younger patients, from babies up to young adults. This group has a range of unique emotional, physical, and mental needs that are different from adults. Pediatricians are trained to address these needs, especially as they change over the course of a person’s early life.
Pediatricians must complete three years of training after medical school. They can choose to extend their training and subspecialize in pediatric subspecialties including but not limited to neurology, cardiology, and surgery.
According to the Medscape Pediatrician Compensation Report 2019, pediatricians spend an average of 37 hours seeing patients and 14 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 51 hours per week. More than half of internists physicians take between 3 and four weeks of vacation.
The average annual compensation is $225,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming four weeks of vacation, pediatricians work 2,448 hours a year. This means they have an approximate hourly wage of $91.91 per hour.
Pediatricians employed at outpatient clinics are paid the highest, followed by those at private physician offices. Pediatricians at academic centers are paid the lowest.
With the exception of Nevada, the top states for pediatricians are all in more rural states without major metropolitan centers.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average wage
| Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,330 | $97.93 | $203,680 |
| Offices of Physicians | 21,120 | $91.55 | $190,420 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 250 | $90.13 | $187,480 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 6,080 | $80.74 | $167,950 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | 70 | $64.37 | $133,900 |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 380 | $50.91 | $105,890 |
Top Paying States for Pediatricians (Annual Salary)
| Wisconsin | $258,850 |
| North Dakota | $258,680 |
| Mississippi | $249,270 |
| Nevada | $247,360 |
| Montana | $245,090 |
How Much General Surgeons Make An Hour
General surgeons are doctors who specialize in performing surgery on common ailments and caring for the patient before, during, and after surgery. Surgeons perform operations on the gastrointestinal system, breast, skin, and endocrine organs.
General surgeons must complete five years of training after medical school. They can also pursue additional surgical training in fields such as cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, and transplant surgery. As with any other specialty, advanced training leads to drastic increase in pay.
According to the Medscape General Surgeon Compensation Report 2019, general surgeons spend an average of 39 hours seeing patients and 17.5 hours on paperwork and administration. This adds up to be 56.5 hours per week. More than half of surgeons take between three and six weeks of vacation.
The average annual compensation is $362,000 per year. Using the hours calculated above and assuming five weeks of vacation, general surgeons work 2,656 hours a year. This means they have an average hourly rate of $136.30 per hour.
Surgeons in outpatient care centers and private practice receive the highest compensation, while those in academic settings receive the lowest compensation.
Of the top five states, three are coastal states in the Eastern United States. Two of these states (Maryland and New Jersey) have their own major metropolitan centers. They are also located close to other major cities such as Washington D.C. and New York City.
Table: Occupational Employment and Wages 2019. Ranked according to average wage
| Employment | Hourly Average Wage | Annual Average Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | 560 | $131.33 | $273,170 |
| Offices of Physicians | 25,760 | $127.57 | $265,340 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 390 | $112.07 | $233,100 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 8,070 | $106.33 | $221,160 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 250 | $87.93 | $182,900 |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 850 | $76.08 | $158,250 |
Top Paying States for Pediatricians (Annual Wage)
| Nebraska | $287,890 |
| Maine | $286,810 |
| New Jersey | $285,850 |
| Maryland | $284,120 |
| Kansas | $282,940 |
How Much A Doctor Makes An Hour In Every State
Below, we have compiled the average per hour wage of doctors in every state. The information is obtained from Zip Recruiter.
Below is a map of the United States that shows the average per hour wage of doctors.
And here is the information organized in a table.
Conclusion
As you can see, how much doctors make per hour can vary a lot depending on factors such as specialty, work environment, and location.
On an hourly rate basis, anesthesiologists make the most and get paid almost twice as much as family doctors. Although pediatricians have the lowest annual salary, they also work slightly less than other general practitioners. They also have the highest hourly rate compared to other general practitioners.
Another interesting trend is that physicians who work in private practice or outpatient settings tend to make the most. For all the specialties discussed, academic environments paid the least. For internal medicine, there was almost a $180,000 difference between the highest paid work environment and the lowest.
Another trend we saw is that most of the time, the top paying locations are considered rural states without major metropolitan centers. This can be attributed to basic economics as rural areas have a lower supply of doctors.
To further explore the data we have used, check the numerous primary and secondary sources below.
Sources:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-6
- https://www.aamc.org/system/files/2019-07/workforce_projections-15-year_outlook_-key_findings.pdf
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287857#what-does-an-anesthesiologist-do?
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-compensation-anesthesiologist-6011324#4
- https://www.studentdoctor.net/2007/08/21/20-questions-with-dr-william-baker-anesthesiologist/
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-anesthesiologist-6011109#18
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291211.htm#(5)
- https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/anesthesiologist/salary
- https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/career-paths/medical-student-career-path/internal-medicine-vs-family-medicine
- https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/family-medicine/education/fellowships
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291215.htm#st%5C
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291215.htm#st%5C
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-compensation-family-physician-6011329#4
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291216.htm#st
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-compensation-ob-gyn-6011337#6
- http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments/academic-departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/education/medical-student-education/obgyn-student-interest-group/subspecialties-in-obgyn/
- https://www.abrigo.com/blog/2013/07/31/offices-of-physicians-naics-621111-industry-trends/?sw
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291218.htm#st
- https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/gynecologist/salary/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-a-pediatrician
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-compensation-pediatrician-6011343#6
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-pediatrician-6011147#18
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291221.htm#st
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-general-surgeon-6011144#18
- https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-compensation-surgeon-6011331#2
- https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/surgeon/salary
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291248.htm#st
