Large pay gap still exists between male and female physicians

In 2019, primary care physicians earned an average of $237,000 and specialists earned $341,000. This is according to the 2019 Medscape Physician Compensation Report, which surveyed almost 20,000 respondents in 30 specialties. Orthopedics was highest earning specialty at $482,000. According to Medscape, orthopedics has been in the top five earning specialties every year for the past five years.

The pay gap between male and female physicians has increased since 2017, when it was 16%. This year, the gap was 25%, with males earning an average of $258,000 and females earning an average of $207,000. These numbers are based on fulltime salaries, thus taking out the argument of female physicians working part-time while raising children. The gap is even higher among male and female specialists at 33%.

Self-employed physicians reported earning more than employed physicians—$359,000 and $289,000, respectively.

Source: Medscape