Physicians have among the highest earnings of any occupation. According to the American Medical Association, median income, after expenses, for allopathic physicians was about $164,000 in 1997. The middle 50 percent earned between $120,000 and $250,000 a year. Self-employed physicians—those who own or are part owners of their medical practice—had higher median incomes than salaried physicians. Earnings vary according to number of years in practice; geographic region; hours worked; and skill, personality, and professional reputation. As shown in table 2, median income of allopathic physicians, after expenses, also varies by specialty.

Table 2. Median net income of M.D.s after expenses, 1997
 
All physicians
 $164,000
 
Radiology
 260,000
 
Anesthesiology
 220,000
 
Surgery
 217,000
 
Obstetrics/gynecology
 200,000
 
Emergency medicine
 195,000
 
Pathology
 175,000
 
General internal medicine
 147,000
 
General/Family practice
 132,000
 
Psychiatry
 130,000
 
Pediatrics
 120,000
 

SOURCE: American Medical Association