Current physician demographics

As of 2022, there were 1,044,734 physicians in the United States, according to a census report released by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). Based on an estimated U.S. population of 333 million people, that means there are approximately 313 licensed physicians per 100,000 people.

The total number of physicians represents a 23% increase from FSMB census data in 2010. Thirty-seven percent of physicians are women, which is a 54% increase from 2010. The percentage of male physicians increased 11% during the same timeframe. On average, female physicians are 6.5 years younger than their male counterparts. More than one-third (38%) of male physicians are 60 years or older, compared to nearly one-fifth (19%) of female physicians.

While the majority of U.S. physicians (89%) were trained at allopathic medical schools, the number of physicians trained at osteopathic medical schools is growing. Since 2010, the number of licensed DOs has increased 89% to 110,095. In comparison, during that same time, the number of licensed MDs increased 18%.

Source: FSMB