Highest Paid Health Profession in terms of hourly pay?

[dentalman09]

Edited

What is the median hourly rate for each profession/specialty?


Answer: (based on help from others/websites)

1. OMFS 336/36 = $179.5/hr
2. Endodontist 303.9/36 = $162.4/hr
3. Pedodontiac Dentist 294.4/36 = $157.1/hr
4. Orthodontist 279.4/36 = $149.0/hr
5. Orthopedic Surgeon 335.8/54.1 = $119.4/hr

6. Periodontist 216.4/36 = $115.4/hr
7. Pathologist 246.5/41.6 = $114.0/hr
8. Rad (Diag)/Rad Onc 327.7/58.5 = $107.7/hr
9. Prosthodontist 190.9/36 = $102.0/hr
10. Opthalomologist 229.2/43.7 = $100.9/hr

11. Dermatologist 219.5/42 = $100.5/hr
12. General Dentists 173.1/36 = $92.4/hr
13. Neurosurg/plastics Surgeon 275.2/59.6 = $88.8/hr
14. Urologist 264.5/57.4 = $88.6/hr
15. Surgeon (gen) 263.7/58.2 = $87.1/hr

16. Anesthesiologist 244.7/58.7 = $80.2/hr
17. ENT 214.5/52.1 = $79.2/hr
18. OB/GYN 227/55.7 = $78.4/hr
19. EM 197.1/50 = $75.8/hr
20. Neurologist 183.1/53.7 = $65.6/hr

21. Psychiatrist 145.7/44 = $63.7/hr
22. IM 164.1/55.6 = $56.8/hr
23. FP 146.5/50.7 = $55.6/hr
24. Pediatrician 137.8/49.4 = $53.6/hr

http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/survey/p...rts.asp#income
Survey of Dental Practice. c. 2003 Edition, American Dental Association

http://medicine.wustl.edu/~residenc...pec/byspec.html
Physician Socioeconomic Statistics. c. 2003 Edition, American Medical Association

**I am not sure if the hours of the OMFS and Rad Onc are accurate. I believe they should be higher and lower, respectively.

[1FutureDDS]

You wouldn't happen to go by the name "Tyumbra" on another message board would you? Also, many of the job titles you've listed above would have a much better shot at getting answered in some of the med forums..

[HermeytheElf]

Hands down the highest paid people in healthcare are medical malpractice attorneys. Just ask John Edwards how profitable suing doctors is...

[ARguy]

Originally Posted by HermeytheElf

Hands down the highest paid people in healthcare are medical malpractice attorneys. Just ask John Edwards how profitable suing doctors is...

That dude is the biggest POS I've ever seen. I still can't believe people wanted to put an ambulance chaser in the second most important office of the U.S. Thankfully, it didn't happen.

[...to_the_OR!]

Neurosurgeons can make up to 800,000+ depending on how much they want to work. Most work 80+ hrs. per week. Interventional Cardiologists (stent placers) can make close to that too if they work night and day. It's true surgeons usually make more than others, but it's all related to how many patients you see. Work more, make more. The average general surgeon can make between 250,000 - 300,000 and work around 60 hrs. per week. Call can be tough, depends on how your practice is set up. Radiology makes a ton too (around 400K) and can be essentially shift work in some practices.

[Heavyd22]

Since it's obvious you really care about helping people, maybe you should look into the hourly wages of a professional athlete or actor. I think you could make more money that way.

[INFNITE]

if only everyone can become a pro athlete or actor....

I wouldn't mind earning 10+million annual salary and retire when I'm 40

[syn_apse]

um, i'm with infnite

[Unemployed]

GP, Dental Specialists, Dermatologists, EM and maybe Radiologists have the highest hourly pay rate ($180-$300k for ~40 hours/week). While other medical specialities such as plastic, ortho, neuro, cardiovascular surgery make "bank", they tend to work twice as many hours of the above lifestyle professions. If dentists decided to work 65-80 hour weeks, they would pull in similar figures. But as you tell, many of those of enter dentistry value their family and free time. I do not suggest choosing a career path based on hourly pay, as you will be extremely miserable if you do not have an interests.

[dentalman]

True, those specialties listed are SO different. And they all pay well. Narrow it down by your preferences. You can do the math yourself. (And I can't tell you how many hours a week a neurosurgeon works.)

[esclavo]

Originally Posted by dentalman09

What is the median hourly rate for each profession/specialty?

Dentist:
Dental Specialist (Endo, OMFS, Ortho, Peds..):
Emergency Medicine:
Internalist:
Family Practitioner:
Radiologist:
Ophthalmologist:
Anesteiologist:
Dermatologist:
Plastic Surgeon:
Orthopedic Surgeon:
Cardiologist:
Neurosurgeon:
Urologist:
Neurologist:
Pathologist:

The average income of a general dentist is $183,000, while a specialists is near $273,000 (~32-40 hours). I can believe that a dermatologist and ophthalmologist having similar work schedules to their dental counterparts, however, it is difficult to see that with the other medical specialities. I once read that pediatricians, internists, and family practitioners earn similar salaries to dentist but work 55-65 hours a week. Is that true? Also, I keep on reading/hearing that surgeons make "bank" ($400,000-$900,000), but don't they work near 70-80 hours a week, stress, malpractice, etc?

Just curious...

Our dermatologist is an animal. Sees 450-500 patients a week. Works 3 full days (8hrs) and then two half days. Essentially 32 hour weeks. He makes 7 figures a year, not 6!!! On 32 hours!!!! 6-8 month waiting list to get into see him- talk about wowzers....

[dentalman09]

Originally Posted by dentalman09

What is the median hourly rate for each profession/specialty?

Dentist:
Dental Specialist (Endo, OMFS, Ortho, Peds..):
Emergency Medicine:
Internalist:
Family Practitioner:
Radiologist:
Ophthalmologist:
Anesteiologist:
Dermatologist:
Plastic Surgeon:
Orthopedic Surgeon:
Cardiologist:
Neurosurgeon:
Urologist:
Neurologist:
Pathologist:

The average income of a general dentist is $183,000, while a specialists is near $273,000 (~32-40 hours). I can believe that a dermatologist and ophthalmologist having similar work schedules to their dental counterparts, however, it is difficult to see that with the other medical specialities. I once read that pediatricians, internists, and family practitioners earn similar salaries to dentist but work 55-65 hours a week. Is that true? Also, I keep on reading/hearing that surgeons make "bank" ($400,000-$900,000), but don't they work near 70-80 hours a week, stress, malpractice, etc?

Just curious...

I'm already going the dental route, hence the username. I was just interested about the hourly wage if it accurately listed somewhere. Like I said before, I always here people say certain medical specialities income greatly surpass dentistry, but it's all relative to hours worked. Those who work in surgery or cardiology work long hours, often twice the hours (therefore twice the income of dental specialists).

[starvinstudent]

Originally Posted by dentalman09

What is the median hourly rate for each profession/specialty?

Dentist:
Dental Specialist (Endo, OMFS, Ortho, Peds..):
Emergency Medicine:
Internalist:
Family Practitioner:
Radiologist:
Ophthalmologist:
Anesteiologist:
Dermatologist:
Plastic Surgeon:
Orthopedic Surgeon:
Cardiologist:
Neurosurgeon:
Urologist:
Neurologist:
Pathologist:

The average income of a general dentist is $183,000, while a specialists is near $273,000 (~32-40 hours). I can believe that a dermatologist and ophthalmologist having similar work schedules to their dental counterparts, however, it is difficult to see that with the other medical specialities. I once read that pediatricians, internists, and family practitioners earn similar salaries to dentist but work 55-65 hours a week. Is that true? Also, I keep on reading/hearing that surgeons make "bank" ($400,000-$900,000), but don't they work near 70-80 hours a week, stress, malpractice, etc?

Just curious...

there are lots of surgeons and Anesteiologists who work under hospital or ambulatory surgical contracts. therefore, they get paid for a 8-hour day even if they only work 3 hours out of the day.

also, if they work 12 hours, they get paid for 12 hours. its a win-win deal.

gotta love that.

a dentist gets paid when and only when he/she is producing.

that really sucks.....

[aphistis]

Originally Posted by starvinstudent

there are lots of surgeons and Anesteiologists who work under hospital or ambulatory surgical contracts. therefore, they get paid for a 8-hour day even if they only work 3 hours out of the day.

also, if they work 12 hours, they get paid for 12 hours. its a win-win deal.

gotta love that.

a dentist gets paid when and only when he/she is producing.

that really sucks.....

This might be the first time in my life I've ever heard someone suggest surgeons have a better income-to-lifestyle comparison than dentists.

[ItsGavinC]

Originally Posted by starvinstudent

there are lots of surgeons and Anesteiologists who work under hospital or ambulatory surgical contracts. therefore, they get paid for a 8-hour day even if they only work 3 hours out of the day.

also, if they work 12 hours, they get paid for 12 hours. its a win-win deal.

gotta love that.

a dentist gets paid when and only when he/she is producing.

that really sucks.....

They also have no control over their autonomy, and THAT really sucks. Don't kid yourself and think that those that are on contract are making bank--they aren't the high-paid ones in the profession.

It's true that most dentists only get paid when they are producing, but it sure is nice to have those 3-4 day weekends on a regular (read: every week) basis.

[Sprgrover]

Originally Posted by INFNITE

if only everyone can become a pro athlete or actor....

I wouldn't mind earning 10+million annual salary and retire when I'm 40

Yup, that sounds rough. I'm in.

[starvinstudent]

Originally Posted by aphistis

This might be the first time in my life I've ever heard someone suggest surgeons have a better income-to-lifestyle comparison than dentists.

so sorry you have lived a sheltered life.

the specialists and surgeons that contract out their services have very nice lifestyles and you cannot be a wordsmith around that son cause I have seen it.

[starvinstudent]

Originally Posted by ItsGavinC

They also have no control over their autonomy, and THAT really sucks. Don't kid yourself and think that those that are on contract are making bank--they aren't the high-paid ones in the profession.

It's true that most dentists only get paid when they are producing, but it sure is nice to have those 3-4 day weekends on a regular (read: every week) basis.

Oh amen. I am going to be a dentist too and have just gotten accepted.

I am just saying that not all MDs have it rough. You guys are the most closed minded people I have ever not met.

[Unemployed]

is this going to become a md/dds pissing match?

[Unemployed]

double post

[Unemployed]

This was taken off a derm forum...its seems a bit conservative. The hours worked seem off in some specialities like rad on (~40-45 hours I heard).

[LAZYGUY]

Originally Posted by Unemployed

is this going to become a md/dds pissing match?

Yeah: Galvin and Aphistis have a outrageously twisted self-serving ideology to promote dentistry over medicine. If they so much as see anything that says otherwise or questions their thinking, they either delete that message or ban people.

[Yellow Snow]

Originally Posted by starvinstudent

Oh amen. I am going to be a dentist too and have just gotten accepted.

I am just saying that not all MDs have it rough. You guys are the most closed minded people I have ever not met.

Average surgeons work a 55hour + work week (I think it is closer to 60+ but I am being conservative) and they also don't tend to live past 65 years of age. This is usually attributed to the stressful nature of their jobs.

[Tzips]

Originally Posted by aphistis

This might be the first time in my life I've ever heard someone suggest surgeons have a better income-to-lifestyle comparison than dentists.

I'll second that. We are talking about the same crazy-stressed, hospital-owned, 60-hr-work-week, I-live-on-adrenaline-and-Synthroid surgeons that I'm thinking of, right?

[OMFSCardsFan]

Originally Posted by LAZYGUY

Yeah: Galvin and Aphistis have a outrageously twisted self-serving ideology to promote dentistry over medicine. If they so much as see anything that says otherwise or questions their thinking, they either delete that message or ban people.

Seems that if this were a valid theory, your post would have been deleted by now. Guess you'll have to try again. Good luck.

[LAZYGUY]

Originally Posted by OMFSCardsFan

Seems that if this were a valid theory, your post would have been deleted by now. Guess you'll have to try again. Good luck.

right

[Dr. Pedo]

Originally Posted by esclavo

Our dermatologist is an animal. Sees 450-500 patients a week. Works 3 full days (8hrs) and then two half days. Essentially 32 hour weeks. He makes 7 figures a year, not 6!!! On 32 hours!!!! 6-8 month waiting list to get into see him- talk about wowzers....

Better check his credentials again; he sounds like he's running a cover for his pediatric dental biz

[Kniles5]

Originally Posted by dentalman09

What is the median hourly rate for each profession/specialty?

Dentist: $85-$105/hour


Just curious...

General dentists can make way more than $105/hr. I know they can make $180.00/hr
I guess that is if you own your own practice, have 3 hygienists and two part-time dentists working under you. But, the sky is the limit!!

[aphistis]

Originally Posted by Kniles5

General dentists can make way more than $105/hr. I know they can make $180.00/hr
I guess that is if you own your own practice, have 3 hygienists and two part-time dentists working under you. But, the sky is the limit!!

Going purely by the averages:

Owner dentist salaries, according to the most recent ADA report I know of: $173,000
Total ours worked per week, from the same report: 36

47 weeks per year (two weeks vacation, 10 federal holidays, 5 more days off as a fudge factor) gives 1692 hours per year.

Average hourly income? $102.25.

If anybody here thinks that's an income worth spitting on, you need to get your heads checked.

[Kniles5]

Originally Posted by aphistis

Going purely by the averages:

Owner dentist salaries, according to the most recent ADA report I know of: $173,000
Total ours worked per week, from the same report: 36

47 weeks per year (two weeks vacation, 10 federal holidays, 5 more days off as a fudge factor) gives 1692 hours per year.

Average hourly income? $102.25.

If anybody here thinks that's an income worth spitting on, you need to get your heads checked.

I wasn't trying to imply that there is anything wrong with that salary. You don't even want to know what I make as a technician. I am just saying that you can do what ever you want to in this profession. THat is what is awesome about it. Work more or less. Own more or less. Your choice. THat is all I was trying to say.

[aphistis]

Originally Posted by LAZYGUY

Yeah: Galvin and Aphistis have a outrageously twisted self-serving ideology to promote dentistry over medicine. If they so much as see anything that says otherwise or questions their thinking, they either delete that message or ban people.

Yeah, that's us. By the way, who's Galvin?

Also, has anyone here heard the one about the priest, the rabbi, the imam, and the surgeon who worked 30 hours a week? Yeah, me neither. Jokes have to be plausible to be funny.

[aphistis]

Originally Posted by Kniles5

I wasn't trying to imply that there is anything wrong with that salary. You don't even want to know what I make as a technician. I am just saying that you can do what ever you want to in this profession. THat is what is awesome about it. Work more or less. Own more or less. Your choice. THat is all I was trying to say.

Sorry, I quoted you above by accident. I didn't mean to single you out or say *you* specifically need head-checking. My bad.

[Kniles5]

Originally Posted by aphistis

Sorry, I quoted you above by accident. I didn't mean to single you out or say *you* specifically need head-checking. My bad.

It's all good. I just consider dentistry to be one of the most difficult and rewarding careers. The reward really isn't as much in the salary though. It is in making good money by doing something that is good. Not just sitting in an office as some big CEO making lots of loot, but doing nothing to improve any one's life. I guess that sounds judgmental, but I love dentistry.

[esclavo]

Originally Posted by Dr. Pedo

Better check his credentials again; he sounds like he's running a cover for his pediatric dental biz

Nope, his seven figures are after taxes and overhead, not before....

[dentalman09]

bump

[OMFSCardsFan]

I don't know any dentists that only take two weeks vacation a year...factor in a little more time off and the number may increase a little. But then again, you did factor in the 5 fudge-days...

Originally Posted by aphistis

Going purely by the averages:

Owner dentist salaries, according to the most recent ADA report I know of: $173,000
Total ours worked per week, from the same report: 36

47 weeks per year (two weeks vacation, 10 federal holidays, 5 more days off as a fudge factor) gives 1692 hours per year.

Average hourly income? $102.25.

If anybody here thinks that's an income worth spitting on, you need to get your heads checked.

[gator1210]

Becoming a dentist is relatively easy compared to becoming a CEO. Most predents, if they try hard enough, become dentists. 1 CEO out of your 2,000 junior vps etc, is harder.


The harder you work, the more you get paid.


I would become a CEO if I think I could make it. I couldnt. I didnt study at harvard or wharton, or have "connections". But I do like dentistry, and I see that as an attainable goal.


So hourly, I would say, bank robbing and kidnapping/ransom is highest paid again. But again, not many people are successful bank robbers.

[helpfuldoc2b]

Originally Posted by gator1210

Becoming a dentist is relatively easy compared to becoming a CEO. Most predents, if they try hard enough, become dentists. 1 CEO out of your 2,000 junior vps etc, is harder.


The harder you work, the more you get paid.


I would become a CEO if I think I could make it. I couldnt. I didnt study at harvard or wharton, or have "connections". But I do like dentistry, and I see that as an attainable goal.


So hourly, I would say, bank robbing and kidnapping/ransom is highest paid again. But again, not many people are successful bank robbers.

Yess True but those 2000 or so junior VPs still make more than dentists with all the bonuses, stock options, benefits, etc... they get.

[aphistis]

Originally Posted by helpfuldoc2b

Yess True but those 2000 or so junior VPs still make more than dentists with all the bonuses, stock options, benefits, etc... they get.

Huh? You dug up a thread that's almost a year and a half old, just so you could stir the pot a little? Classy. This thread is done.