This statistic depicts the number of active physicians in the United States as of January 2024, ordered by specialty area. At that time, there were 53,206 anesthesiologists active in the United States.
Active physicians in the U.S.
A physician in the United States can be trained in medical education or also be an international medical graduate that has obtained a license to practice within the state. There are three organizations in the U.S. that deal with certification including the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association. In 2019, in the United States, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, and surgical doctors were amongst the most active physicians. Anesthesiologists are able to provide care in often acute situations, for example, preoperative examination, airway management, and surgical team consultations. In the United States, the number of anesthesiologists has often been too low and so it has become more common for physicians to have residency positions in anesthesiology.
By state, the District of Columbia has the highest number of active physicians per 10,000 civilians in the U.S. with 72.8 physicians for every 10,000 people in 2019. Doctors in Northeastern and Southwestern parts of the United States have a tendency to earn the least across the country. The number of primary care doctors is only slightly higher than those of non-primary care. Primary care includes physicians that are family doctors, general practitioners and internists, general pediatrics, and geriatricians. Around half of U.S. citizens that visit a physician, go to a primary care physician. However, family practice, pediatrics, and internal medicine are among the lowest paid salaries for physicians. Specialties such as orthopedic surgeons, urology, and invasive cardiology earn some of the highest wages in the country.
Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area
Data includes currently active allopathic physicians (MDs) and osteopathic physicians (DOs).
Other specialties include but are not limited to: allergy and immunology, dermatology, medical genetics, neurological surgery, neurology, opthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pathology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, plastic surgery, preventive medicine, urology, and combined residency training specialties.
Release date represents the date the figures were accessed.
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Kaiser Family Foundation. (February 19, 2024). Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
Kaiser Family Foundation. "Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area." Chart. February 19, 2024. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024). Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
Kaiser Family Foundation. "Number of Active Physicians in The U.S. in 2024, by Specialty Area." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Feb 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
Kaiser Family Foundation, Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of active physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by specialty area [Graph], Kaiser Family Foundation, February 19, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/