Physician income averages $132,600, ACOEM says
Increase of 11.4% in two years
The average annual salary of occupational health physicians has increased 11.4% in two years to $132,600, according to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Chicago. That figure is slightly lower than the median income of $150,000 reported by readers in Occupational Health Management’s 1997 Salary Survey.
Both surveys show a steady increase in income for occupational health physicians. ACOEM reports that the average salary in 1994, the last time the group surveyed its members, was $119,000. The OHM survey found a median income of $131,000 in 1996, $131,000 in 1995, and $110,500 in 1994.
ACOEM members nationwide reported base salaries ranging from $40,000 to $250,000, reflecting a 40% response rate from a random sample of 3,000 physicians. The highest average U.S. salaries were reported in the Southeast region made up by Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The lowest salaries, averaging $113,500, were reported in the Northwest region composed of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. All of the figures are based on compensation and benefits received in 1996.
Physicians working in private practice, hospitals or urgent care had the highest salaries. Those working in corporations usually made less. The lowest income was associated with physicians working in government or university settings.
The average annual bonus was 21% of base salary, received by 32% of the respondents. The largest bonuses went to males, doctors of osteopathy, CEOs, presidents, partners, professors, physicians working more than 60 hours per week, and 16- to 20-year veterans of occupational and environmental medicine. Thirty-seven percent of the surveyed physicians earned additional income from outside medical work or consultation.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content