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Ranking of the highest paid professions in medicine has been compiled
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Orthopedic and radiology experts are the highest paid doctors in the United States, according to data obtained by sociologists from a random survey of doctors about their specialties and incomes.
More than 24,000 American medical workers representing 25 different medical fields participated in the sociological study. The highest annual earnings ($315,000) were received by experts in the field of radiological diagnostic and treatment methods, as well as orthopedic surgeons. Third and fourth places were taken by cardiologists and anesthesiologists, who earned approximately $314,000 and $309,000, respectively, in 2011.
Those four professions were the highest-paying in the United States in 2010, even though radiologists and orthopedic surgeons saw their incomes decline by 10 percent last year. The three least lucrative medical specialties also remained unchanged. Pediatricians made $156,000, family medicine specialists made $158,000, and internists made $165,000.
Over the course of the year, the number of medical workers satisfied with their specialization has significantly decreased. The largest share of such specialists was recorded among dermatologists, which decreased from 81 to 64% over the year. The least satisfied with the choice of qualification were plastic surgeons (40%), therapists (44%) and endocrinologists (45%).