Physician Starting Salaries by Specialty: 2018 vs. 2017
What difference does a year make when it comes to average physician salary offers? It depends on your area of specialty.
AMN Healthcare tracks recruiting trends including salaries, bonuses, and other incentives offered to physicians and advanced practitioner candidates on an annual basis. Our latest report shows that just over half (11) of the top 20 recruited specialties saw a dip in their average starting salaries compared to last year, while the other nine saw an increase.
Now in its 25th year, the 2018 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives analyzed 3,045 recruiting assignments from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
This national sample shows that invasive cardiologists were offered the highest average physician salaries, at $590,000 for 2017/2018, which was up from an average of $563,000 the previous year. The lowest average physician salaries among the most-requested searches were paid to pediatricians, with an average salary of $230,000, compared to an average of $240,000 the previous year.
Advanced practitioners also saw a mixed bag of results: the average salary offered to nurse practitioners for 2017/2018 was $129,000, which was an increase over the previous year, while the average salary offered to physician assistants was $109,000, which represented a decrease.
Average Physician Salaries: The Top 20 Recruited Specialties
This year-to-year comparison for the top 20 specialty searches conducted by AMN Healthcare represent physician starting salaries or guaranteed income only; these amounts do not include bonuses or benefits.
| Medical Specialty | 2017/2018 Average Salary Offer | 2016/2017 Average Salary Offer |
| 1. Cardiologist (Invasive) | $590,000 | $563,000 |
| 2. Orthopedic Surgeon | $533,000 | $579,000 |
| 3. Gastroenterologist | $487,000 | $492,000 |
| 4. Cardiologist (Non-invasive) | $427,000 | $428,000 |
| 5. Dermatologist | $425,000 | $421,000 |
| 6. Pulmonologist | $418,000 | $390,000 |
| 7. Otolaryngologist | $405,000 | $468,000 |
| 8. Urologist | $386,000 | $460,000 |
| 9. Anesthesiologist | $371,000 | $376,000 |
| 10. Emergency Medicine Physician | $358,000 | $349,000 |
| 11. OB/GYN | $324,000 | $335,000 |
| 12. Neurologist | $301,000 | $305,000 |
| 13. Hospitalist | $269,000 | $264,000 |
| 14. Psychiatrist | $261,000 | $263,000 |
| 15. Internal Medicine (Internist) | $261,000 | $257,000 |
| 16. Family Medicine Physician | $241,000 | $231,000 |
| 17. Urgent Care Physician | $234,000 | $219,000 |
| 18. Pediatrician | $230,000 | $240,000 |
| 19. Nurse Practitioner | $129,000 | $123,000 |
| 20. Physician Assistant | $109,000 | $115,000 |
Latest News
Rural Physician Recruiting Challenges and Solutions
Rural hospitals and healthcare facilities face unique physician recruitment challenges, from financial struggles to geographic limitations. Our comprehensive white paper, Rural Physician
The Physician Retention Crisis: 10 Proven Strategies to Strengthen Your Workforce and Reduce Turnover
As we enter 2025, it has become clear that both healthcare organizations and the medical professionals they employ coexist within newly defined needs and expectations.
13 Keys to Effective Physician Recruiting
Physician retention is critical for maintaining top-tier healthcare services, especially amidst physician shortages and increasing demand. With our 13 Keys to Effective Physician Recruiting white
The Growing Dentist Shortage: Challenges, Trends, and Recruitment Strategies
The dental industry is facing an increasingly dire workforce shortage. While demand for dental care continues to rise, the supply of practicing dentists is struggling to keep pace. This growing
Physicians Are Aging Out of the System
Of the approximately 860,000 physicians in the U.S. who in active patient care, 30% are 60 or older, while 23% are 65 or older, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).&
Expertise, Stability, and Customized Solutions: The AMN Healthcare Physician Solutions Advantage
Even in an industry marked by frequent turnover, the foundation of our principles, processes, and dedication to excellence remains unshaken. This stability ensures that we continue to offer our
The Cost of Physician Turnover: How It Impacts Your Bottom Line and What You Can Do About It
As leaders of the healthcare delivery team, physicians play a decisive role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of care patients receive in medical offices, hospitals, urgent care centers,
10 Keys to Physician Retention
Unlock actionable insights and practical strategies to retain your top physician talent with our new white paper, 10 Keys to Physician Retention.
