As of September 2024, there were a total of 566,404 specialty physicians active in the United States. Of these, most were specialized in emergency medicine.
Physician compensation
Significant pay variations exist across specialties and regions, with orthopedic doctors and surgeons command the highest average annual salaries at 558,000 U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, the West North Central area offers the highest average physician compensation at 404,000 U.S. dollars annually. This region's higher pay likely stems from lower physician density in rural areas, creating less competition. Interestingly, doctors in Northeastern and Southwestern parts of the United States tend to earn less than their counterparts in other regions.
Burnout among physicians
Despite high salaries, U.S. physicians face high workload and stress in the workplace. Nearly half of surveyed doctors reported feeling burnout, with higher burnout rates among female doctors, younger physicians, and those in primary care compared to their counterparts. More effort to combat burnout is needed in the healthcare system. Increasing compensation was cited by physicians as the top measure to alleviate burnout, followed by adding support staff and offering more flexible schedules.
Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty
Release date represents the date the figures were accessed.
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.
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KFF. (December 11, 2024). Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
KFF. "Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty." Chart. December 11, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
KFF. (2024). Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
KFF. "Number of Active Specialty Physicians in The U.S. in 2024, by Field of Specialty." Statista, Statista Inc., 11 Dec 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
KFF, Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Number of active specialty physicians in the U.S. in 2024, by field of specialty [Graph], KFF, December 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/209424/us-number-of-active-physicians-by-specialty-area/
