Our list of the best-paid medical specialties is an impressive one. It is no surprise that doctors are among the best paid professionals in the country. And for good reasons, considering the amount of time it takes to become one. But not all medical specialties are equally well-paid. Following, we would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top ten best paid medical specialties in the US. Let’s take a look at the countdown.
Note: figures used in the making of this countdown were taken from the statistics issued by the US Bureau of Labor. They are estimates for a medical professional that has finished his/her residency program and represent the starting salary.
No. 10 Best-Paid Medical Specialties: General Surgery
Average Annual Salary: $336,375
Surgical specialties tend to be better paid than medical ones, so it is only natural that general surgery made our countdown. However, with the advent of a variety of surgical subspecialties, general surgery has become increasingly less popular.
No. 9 Best-Paid Medical Specialties: Pulmonology
Average Annual Salary: $351,125
Pulmonology is just one of the few non-surgical specialties to make our countdown, but it appears that caring for the nation’s lungs would be a good choice for medical students looking for a residency program.
No. 8 Best-Paid Medical Specialties: Radiology
Average Annual Salary: $368,250
Radiology has taken off over the past years and so have the salaries awarded to a professional working in this specialty. As technology continues to evolve, it is safe to presume that this medical field will also increase in popularity and demand.
No. 7: Dermatology
Average Annual Salary: $370,952
Our skin is our canvas, so people’s desire to keep their skin looking as healthy as possible is understandable. This might also explain why dermatologists are amongst the best paid medical professionals in the country.
No. 6: Hematology/Oncology
Average Annual Salary: $396,000
With average annual salary of $396,000, we have two medical specialties competing for our number 6th spot: Hematology and Oncology. While neither of the specialties is particularly demanding on the body, working as a hematologist or oncologist is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Both specialties deal with cancers and death, which does take its toll at one point.
No. 5: Urology
Average Annual Salary: $424,091
Urology, like most surgical specialties, is a highly paid medical field. Spending several hours each day in the operating room can become exhausting, but the salary certainly makes it worth it.
No. 4: Gastroenterology
Average Annual Salary: $441,421
Gastroenterology is not exactly the most pleasant of medical specialties. But professionals who can stomach it will certainly be happy with their paycheck.
No. 3: Cardiology (Non-Invasive)
Average Annual Salary: $447,143
Heart issues have become increasingly frequent in our society, so it is safe to assume that cardiologists have a lot on their hand. Nonetheless, this demanding specialty is the third highest paid in the country.
No. 2: Cardiology (Invasive)
Average Annual Salary: $461,364
Operating on the heart and blood vessels is a delicate task, so it is only natural that invasive cardiology is one of the best paid specialties in medicine. Spending all those hours in the operating room must be exhausting, but it’s nice to have an annual salary amounting to almost half a million dollars.
No. 1: Orthopedic Surgery
Average Annual Salary: $464,500
Operating on human bones is no easy task. Orthopedic Surgery is not only one of the most physically demanding jobs in the medical field, but also the best paid specialty. We’re also assuming that orthopedic surgeons are also some of the most fit doctors – from all the hammering.
If you enjoyed our list of the best-paid medical specialties, you’ll also like “Top 5 Best-Paid Teaching Positions.”