15 Best Medical Specialties for Female Doctors and Moms

We will also explore the representation statistics of women in healthcare industry and discuss companies committed to providing quality healthcare.

Despite women comprising about half of the U.S. population and workforce, progress in innovation and investment in women’s health is still lacking. In 2022, women’s health startups secured 13.26% of health tech funding which was a huge increase from 2020. However, this relatively small share raises concerns about the attention given to this vital sector. Moreover, a 2019 analysis revealed that women held a 12.6% of partner positions in venture funds involved in digital health which further highlighter the gap in decision-making authority. It is evident that more work is needed to bridge the gender gap and prioritize women’s health both in funding and leadership roles within the healthcare industry.

Companies Promising Better Female Healthcare Around the Globe

Morgan Health, a new business of the JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM), aims to improve employer-sponsored healthcare quality, efficiency, and equity. Thus, Morgan Health focuses on investing in promising healthcare companies, with a keen interest in women’s health initiatives. JP Morgan Chase & Co recognizes the importance of women’s health in building a strong and diverse workforce. Hence, Morgan Health has made significant investments in various sectors of women’s health, including maternity care, menopause care, and fertility care.

Their recent investment is in Kindbody which is a renowned fertility clinic network, aimed at addressing the pertinent need for accessible and affordable fertility services. This strategic investment approach reflects JP Morgan Chase & Co’s commitment to advancing women’s health and empowering employees with comprehensive and inclusive healthcare solutions.

On the other hand, the Endosee Advance system by CooperSurgical, a business unit of Cooper Companies Inc (NYSE:COO), is a revolutionary medical device that enhances female healthcare by providing direct visualization for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This all-in-one system offers instant endometrial imaging and thus, eliminates the need for blind biopsies while enhancing patient care. Its clear color visualization and reusable display module aid in efficient workflow during in-office exams which reduces the need for costly OR visits. By offering a low-cost investment reimbursed as hysteroscopy, the Endosee Advance system by Cooper Companies Inc (NYSE:COO)empowers healthcare providers to elevate in-office procedures and improve the overall quality of female healthcare.

Moreover, the Mara Water Ablation System by CooperSurgical is a gentle and efficient endometrial ablation device designed for office-based treatments. It uses water vapor to conform to each woman’s unique uterus. The procedure takes only 4 minutes, with the water vapor treatment lasting just 2 minutes. This innovative system by Cooper Corporations Inc can significantly reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, improve quality of life, and maintain long-term access to the uterine cavity for women.

An Analysis of the 2022 Physician Specialty Data Report

Let’s now move on to women in healthcare as professionals. The 2022 Physician Specialty Data Report provides valuable insights for moms and female doctors in the US looking for high-paying medical specialties that also suits their preferences. Among the top specialties with the largest numbers of active physicians in 2021, internal medicine, family medicine/general practice, and pediatrics stand out. Notably, pediatrics has the highest percentage of female physicians at 65.0%. In contrast, orthopedic surgery, with only 5.9% female representation, remains less popular among women. On a side note, the rise of telemedicine is a great opportunity for doctor moms to manage their professional and personal lives with a fairly high work-life balance. It is also one of the best work-from-home jobs.

The report also highlights the age distribution of active physicians and revealed that 46.7% were 55 years or older in 2021. For female doctors considering work-life balance, choosing specialties like sports medicine, which experienced remarkable growth of 42.5% from 2016 to 2021, might offer suitable opportunities. Speaking of work-life balance, you can also check out our article on best jobs for work-life balance.

Moreover, it’s noteworthy that certain specialties, such as child and adolescent psychiatry and family medicine/general practice, have high percentages of physicians practicing in the same state where they trained, which could certainly provide more stability for moms that aim to establish their careers close to home.

In the U.S., women represented 45.6% of active Graduate Medical Education (GME) trainees in 2019. Obstetrics and gynecology was the medical specialty with greatest proportion of female doctors at 83.4% female resident. The next female dominated medical specialties were allergy and immunology at 73.5%, and pediatrics at 72.1%.

Our Methodology

To list the 15 best medical specialties for female doctors and moms, we read several reddit threads to pick a total of 20 best medical specialties. To filter out the “best specialties”, we tried to target those specialties that were repeatedly described as highly flexible in terms of timings or highly demanded for female doctors. Of those 20, the 15 highest paying ones were eventually selected. The specialties were then ranked based on national average salaries in the US. We acquired our data on national average salaries from Indeed.com. The list is presented in ascending order.

Here is a list of 15 Best Medical Specialties for Female Doctors and Moms

15. Allergy and Immunology

Average Salary: $114,780

The field of Allergy and Immunology (AI) has experienced a considerable shift towards a more female-dominated workforce. Back in 1989, only 10% of professionals in AI were female, but this number increased to 25% by 2004. More recently, the trend has accelerated, with 66% of AI fellows in training in the United States being women.

However, the scenario is different in academia. A study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology analyzed the US academic allergy and immunology workforce. Among full professors, 83% were male, and only 17% were female. Female allergists had fewer mean total publications and were less likely to have NIH funding. According to Medifind, Dr Monica G Lawrence is one of best Allergy and Immunology Doctors in the US.

14. Pediatrics

Average Salary: $162,413

Pediatrics is the medical specialty concerned with children’s health to provide care, treatment, and prevention of childhood illnesses and promote their well-being. In 2017, the field of pediatrics in the US observed increasing female representation with women comprising 72.3% of residents, 63.3% of physicians in practice, and 57.4% of academicians.

13. Pathology

Average Salary: $174,422

Pathology is one of the best medical specialties for women owing to the work-life balance, varied career paths and reduced physical demands. The job is also intellectual stimulating with an increasing female representation. With flexibility in practice settings and fulfilling patient care through disease diagnosis and treatment guidance, it is one of the most demanded medical specialties for doctor moms.

12. Preventive Medicine

Average Salary: $184,437 

Physicians who specialize in preventive medicine focus on promoting health and preventing diseases at both individual and population levels. They are trained to analyze health data, and identify risk factors while developing preventive strategies, and implementing interventions to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease. Preventive medicine specialists play a crucial role in public health efforts and healthcare systems. It is one of the best medical specialties for female doctors and moms.

11. Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Average Salary: $216,545

Hospice and palliative medicine is concerned with offering a compassionate care to improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Thus, women often find fulfillment in providing comfort, emotional support, and symptom management to help patients and families navigate end-of-life challenges with empathy and understanding. Their nurturing nature along with the flexibility that comes with the role enriches this vital medical specialty.

10. Urology

Average Salary: $236,627

According to AUA census data, the representation of women in urology has increased over the years. In 2020, women accounted for 10.3% of practicing urologists, up from 7.3% in 2014. On the other hand, there were 570 female urologists in US academic institutions, constituting 14.8% of all academic urologists.

 9. Plastic Surgery

Average Salary: $245,601

Despite comprising nearly half of medical school graduates, women remain underrepresented in surgical specialties like plastic surgery. Embracing this specialty can empower women to bridge the gender gap and contribute to an ever-evolving field. With a female-to-male ratio of approximately 1:5 among practicing plastic surgeons and residents, the field presents opportunities for women to make a pertinent impact. Moreover, plastic surgery offers flexibility, suitable for balancing professional and personal life effectively.

8. Rheumatology

Average Salary: $253,417

Rheumatology presents an attractive option for women in medicine as it has a reduced work-burden compared to some other specialties. With fewer on-call demands and less physically demanding procedures, rheumatologists often enjoy a better work-life balance. Moreover, the field provides flexible working hours that lets women tailor their schedules to accommodate personal and family commitments. It is one of the best medical specialties for doctor moms. 

7. Public Health

Average Salary: $254,862

Public health is a highly demanded domain owing to its usually flexible schedules and focus on community well-being. The field allows them to contribute significantly to population health with a sense of purpose and impact. With diverse opportunities, women often find public health a compelling and meaningful career choice.

6. Neurology

Average Salary: $255,510

Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They focus on conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders. Thye undergo specialized training to provide expert care for patients with complex neurological issues. They are also one of the highest paid medical specialties in the world.

5. Radiology

Average Salary: $260,245

Radiology is a highly demanded medical specialty for female doctors due to its potential for work-life balance and less physically demanding nature. Despite being a male-dominated field, it offers advantages like fewer on-call duties and flexible schedules. However, the underrepresentation of women in radiology remains an issue, with only 27% of first-year residents and 25% of all radiologists being female in the U.S. as of 2020, suggesting the need for continued efforts to address gender disparities.

4. Psychiatry

Average Salary: $271,290

Psychiatry typically involves fewer emergencies that allows for more time with family for doctors who have personal commitments. Moreover, psychiatry’s focus on mental health allows practitioners to deeply connect with patients which fosters a more empathetic and understanding approach. Additionally, the field offers various subspecialties that can accommodate a number of diverse interests. These factors make psychiatry a preferred choice for female doctors who are on the look-out for a fulfilling career while juggling familial responsibilities. Its inclusive and supportive environment also helps address gender disparities in the medical profession.

3. Anesthesiology

Average Salary: $298,370

With a focus on pain management and patient safety during surgical procedures, anesthesiologists play a critical role in healthcare. Anesthesiology’s flexible work schedules and potential for part-time options accommodate the demands of motherhood and family life. Additionally, the specialty promotes a collaborative and supportive work environment, that helps address gender disparities in medicine. Female doctors can thrive in anesthesiology with a positive impact on patient care while contributing to the medical knowledge in this vital domain.

2. Gynecology

Average Salary: $310,400

Gynecology often suits female doctors as it involves intimate female healthcare that provides a room for better understanding and empathetic care. Moreover, with patient comfort being paramount, many women prefer female doctors for these sensitive issues. Gynecologists build long-term relationships with patients that additionally provides comprehensive care from stages of contraception to menopause. However, the underrepresentation of men raises concerns about diversity and collaboration. Some male doctors feel excluded that can also the impact the field’s future. While gynecology remains a vital specialty for female doctors which is highly demanded as well due to their ability to relate to patients’ experiences, but efforts are needed to ensure a balanced workforce and foster inclusivity for all.

1. Dermatology

Average Salary: $319,084

Dermatology is an excellent specialty for doctors. Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail conditions that impacts patients’ overall health and wellbeing. With a broad range of cases and cutting-edge treatments, dermatology is a promising specialty for medical professionals that want to make a difference in patients’ lives. It is also one of the highest-paid female-dominated medical specialty in the world.

Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at the 11 Best Healthcare Stocks Under $50 and 15 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy Now

Suggested Articles:

• 15 Biggest Medical Device Companies in the World
• 15 Countries with the Best Healthcare in the World
• 30 Cities with the Best Healthcare in the World

This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.