In this article, we will look at the 25 highest-paying medical jobs in the US. You can also see 20 Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs Without a Degree to read about the non-clinical healthcare careers that pay well.
The healthcare industry is a vast and multifaceted sector that includes hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. According to a Yahoo Finance report, the industry is projected to be valued at $9,816 billion by 2027. While healthcare is generally considered one of the most competitive industries to break into, there do exist 2-year medical degrees that pay well in the industry.
In 2023, the healthcare industry observed unprecedented job growth as it added over 650,000 jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics attributes this to the increased service demand and the need to replace workers lost during the “Great Resignation” of 2021 and 2022. Despite early pandemic losses, healthcare jobs had largely recovered by October 2022. However, recruitment and retention remained critical concerns for health system executives. In fact, Fitch Ratings identified recruitment as the industry’s most pressing issue. Moreover, the Altarum report indicated that the sector’s 2023 hiring spree was observed predominantly in ambulatory service centres.
It is also concerning to note that despite high salaries in the sector, healthcare workers in the US are increasingly walking off the job as they are demanding better pay. According to the 2024 Physician Compensation Report from Doximity, 81% of doctors report feeling overworked. Moreover, almost 88% of doctors acknowledge that the shortages of healthcare professionals have a detrimental impact on their practices. As a result, 30% of doctors are contemplating early retirement.
Administrative duties compound the issues for doctors as they spend nearly twice as much time on paperwork as they do on patient care. For every hour of patient interaction, doctors dedicate about two hours to administrative tasks during the day and an additional one to two hours at night.
As a result, on October 23, 2023, over 1,300 employees at PeaceHealth Southwest, went on strike after their demands for addressing understaffing and a pay rise were ignored. This strike is part of a greater wave of actions like a planned nationwide strike by Walgreens and CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) pharmacy workers on October 30 and a major strike by 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in early October which was the largest healthcare strike in history.
CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) is utilizing technology to enhance administrative efficiency, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences to address the administrative inefficiencies in the healthcare domain. As part of this effort, the company serves over 100 million consumers which includes 55 million digital customers. CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) is consolidating its previously federated IT, digital, data, and analytics functions into a cohesive product organization, which enhances customer experiences and operational efficiency.
The key to this transformation is the launching of a new CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) app by the end of 2024. This app aims to integrate all CVS assets that will provide a comprehensive digital experience for customers and caregivers. By enabling features such as transparency in medical costs and streamlined access to health care services, the app supports CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS)’s vision of a world where customers enjoy seamless and personalized healthcare interactions.
On the other hand, despite the overall wave of dissatisfaction in the healthcare sector, HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE:HCA) celebrates Patient Experience Week and honours its over 309,000 colleagues for their dedication every year. In 2023, 29 HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE:HCA) hospitals received the prestigious Press Ganey Human Experience Awards.
Among these, 23 facilities earned the Guardian of Excellence Award which placed them in the top 5% for patient experience. These facilities span across multiple states like the Corpus Christi Medical Center Bayview in Texas and TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Tennessee. Additionally, six HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE:HCA) hospitals were awarded the Pinnacle of Excellence Award for maintaining high-performance levels for three consecutive years, with winners such as Frankfort Regional Medical Center in Kentucky and HCA Florida Largo Hospital.
Also see 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy Under $50 and 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
An operating theatre with medical personnel and a patient in pre-op for a Neuro-Spinal Scaffold Implant.
Methodology
We found the highest-paying medical jobs in the US after researching the highest-paying jobs in the US, from Indeed and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Then we listed 35 frequently appearing highest-paying medical jobs in ascending order based on their average salaries. The average salary data was sourced from our salary database.
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25. Pulmonologist
Average Salary: $191,904
Pulmonology is a medical specialty focused on the respiratory system. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat lung and breathing disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, COPD, and lung cancer.
24. Otolaryngologist (ENT)
Average Salary: $195,694
To become an otolaryngologist in the US, you have to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 5-year otolaryngology residency. After that, you pass the American Board of Otolaryngology exam and obtain a state medical license.
23. Ophthalmologist
Average Salary: $203,316
An aging population in the United States has led to an increased prevalence of eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration that have pushed the demand for Ophthalmologists so high in the country. This also explains why the profession has an average salary as high as $203,316.
22. Nurse Anesthetists
Average Salary: $205,770
As of 2022, there were 323,900 jobs for nurse anesthetists and a projected job outlook of 38% growth from 2022 to 2032. Nurse Anesthetists have an average salary of $205,770 per year in the US.
21. General Surgeon
Average Salary: $214,339
General surgeons in New York have an annual mean wage of $267,930 and these jobs employ 4,030 surgeons, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas pays slightly higher, with an annual mean wage of $276,680 and employs 1,680 surgeons. However, Arizona and Delaware are the highest paying states for general surgeons in the US.
20. Oncologist
Average Salary: $218,126
Oncology is essentially the study of cancer. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer.
19. Orthopedic Surgeon
Average Salary: $229,379
Orthopaedic surgery is highly competitive and is one of the medical jobs with the highest salary in the US. In 2022, 1,435 applicants were vying for 875 spots, making it 1.64 applicants per position. Of the 1,068 US MD seniors who applied, 365 did not match.
18. Nephrologist
Average Salary: $231,904
Becoming a nephrologist requires a minimum of 13 years of education and training after high school. This includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency, and two years of fellowship in nephrology.
17. Urologist
Average Salary: $236,627
Urologists in the US are highly paid owing to the specialized and in-demand nature of their work. With only 13,976 practicing urologists as of 2022, the supply is limited.
16. Plastic Surgeon
Average Salary: $245,601
Plastic surgery is one of the highest-paid medical specialities in the US. Plastic surgeons are particularly popular as there is a growing demand for surgical procedures. In fact, in 2023, nearly 1.6 million surgical procedures and 25.4 million minimally invasive procedures were performed in the US, according to PlasticSurgery.Org, with liposuction and neuromodulator injections (e.g., Botox) being the most popular.
15. Gastroenterologist
Average Salary: $249,089
While gastroenterologists have one of the best-paying medical jobs, approximately 70 million Americans suffer from a digestive disease, and 35% of those aged 65 and older are affected by chronic gastrointestinal conditions. It is concerning to note that a shortage of more than 1,600 gastroenterologists is projected by 2025.
14. Rheumatologist
Average Salary: $253,417
With an average salary of $253,517 in America, Rheumatology is one of the medical fields that have the highest salaries. It is also worth highlighting that despite a 23% increase in clinically active rheumatologists and a 141% rise in advanced practice providers (APPs) from 2009 to 2019, the rheumatology workforce remains insufficient to meet projected demands. By 2019, there were 5667 rheumatologists and 379 APPs, but an aging U.S. population has worsened the shortage.
13. Neurologist
Average Salary: $255,510
While the average salary for neurologists is $255,110, they earned a median annual salary of $224,260 in May 2022, according to the BLS. Moreover, Kentucky and North Carolina are the highest-paying states for neurologists.
12. Psychiatrist
Average Salary: $256,930
Owing to the increasing mental health awareness and the need for specialized care, the demand for psychiatrists is projected to see major growth through 2032, Between 2022 and 2032, the employment of psychiatrists is expected to grow by 13%, according to the BLS.
11. Radiologist
Average Salary: $260,245
Radiologists are in high demand in America, especially with the aging population and increasing need for diagnostic imaging. The AAMC projects a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Speaking of radiology, radiologic and MRI technologists have one of the highest-paying medical jobs without a degree.
10. Endocrinologist
Average Salary: $262,641
An endocrinologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the endocrine system, which includes glands and hormones. They manage conditions such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, and hormonal imbalances.
9. Cardiologist
Average Salary: $294,822
With an average salary of $294,822, cardiologists rank 9th in our list of the highest-paid medical jobs in the US. It is also one of the highest-paid occupations in the US.
8. Anesthesiologist
Average Salary: $298,370
Anesthesiology is a medical specialty that focuses on perioperative patient care. The average salary for an Anesthesiologist is $298,370 per year in the United States. It is one of the highest-paid medical specialties in the world.
7. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Average Salary: $309,410
To become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) in the US, one has to complete an undergraduate degree with dental prerequisites, followed by earning a DDS or DMD in dental school (4 years). Then, one has to undergo a hospital-based residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery (minimum 4 years). The next step is to obtain state licensure and consider board certification for better job prospects. Some OMSs even pursue fellowships for advanced training and additional graduate degrees like MD, PhD, or MBA. With an average salary of over $300,000, it is one of the top 10 highest-paying medical jobs in the US.
6. Gynecologist
Average Salary: $310,400
The United States is projected to experience a shortage of 5,000 OB-GYNs by 2030 which will worsen the existing disparities in maternal and infant health. Currently, about 50,800 OB-GYNs practice in the US which is already insufficient to meet rising demand. Nevertheless, gynecologists have one of the highest-paying medical jobs in America.
5. Dermatologist
Average Salary: $319,084
Dermatology is often named one of the Best Medical Specialties for Female Doctors and Moms. However, it is still worth noting that there are over 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer detected annually and cosmetic treatments like laser hair removal are on the rise, making the current supply of 13,500 dermatologists, including only 11,500 in active patient care, insufficient.
4. Critical Care Medical Specialist
Average Salary: $384,009
A critical care medical specialist is a physician with advanced training in the management of critically ill patients, often in an intensive care unit (ICU). They provide comprehensive care to patients with life-threatening conditions such as severe infections, organ failures, and trauma.
3. Radiation Oncologist
Average Salary: $446,250
A radiation oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy. With an average salary of $446,250, radiation oncologists rank 3rd in our list of the highest-paid medical jobs in the US.
2. Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Average Salary: $512,200
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a major shortfall in cardiothoracic surgery by 2035, with a 31% deficit anticipated. This shortage stems from the retirement of 900 surgeons and a 20% increase in demand for cardiothoracic procedures.
1. Neurosurgeon
Average Salary: $677,301
In the United States, a neurosurgeon typically completes 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, and 7 years of residency (PGY-1-7). Most residency programs include some basic science or clinical research. After residency, neurosurgeons may pursue additional training through fellowships, which can also be completed as a senior resident. These fellowships include specialties like pediatric neurosurgery, trauma/neurocritical care, functional and stereotactic surgery, surgical neuro-oncology, radiosurgery, neurovascular surgery, skull-base surgery, peripheral nerve, and complex spinal surgery and they fellowships usually last 1-2 years. Neurosurgery is a highly competitive and small specialty in the US, making up only 0.5% of all physicians. All these factors collectively explain why neurosurgeons have the highest-paying medical jobs in the US.
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