- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 1
If I may ask, what are the salaries like for a young ophthalmologist? Some say high, while others start low. What's the skinny on the rumors? 
salaries
- Thread starter mdfirst
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2006
- Messages
- 264
- Reaction score
- 2
Where are you looking? There's a large difference based on location.
Academic or private?
Comprehensive, or subspecialty? This can, at times, make a big difference.
Academic or private?
Comprehensive, or subspecialty? This can, at times, make a big difference.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2006
- Messages
- 264
- Reaction score
- 2
I almost forgot one of the most important questions:
What's your definition of "low" and "high"?
What's your definition of "low" and "high"?
my experience from last year - private, general ophthalmology
Most offers between $125-135k (After negotiations) in fairly desireable cities in the South/Southeast. I would imagine that is the average for most offers.
There are higher offers ($175k up to 200k) out there, but usually in less desirable cities (northern Michigan, middle of Kentucky, etc). It is not unheard of for general to make closer to $100k in very desireable locales like
NYC, Chicago. My classmates had similar offers.
Avg buy-in - 2 years. After paying for partnership (takes several years), average salary is closer to $200-250 - very dependent on clinic and surgical volume.
Most subspecialties - except for peds and retina, command another $25-30k starting out. Surgical retina probably starts in the low-mid $200, and peds lower 100s.
The numbers on most salary sites seem inflated - again, based on my experience.
Most offers between $125-135k (After negotiations) in fairly desireable cities in the South/Southeast. I would imagine that is the average for most offers.
There are higher offers ($175k up to 200k) out there, but usually in less desirable cities (northern Michigan, middle of Kentucky, etc). It is not unheard of for general to make closer to $100k in very desireable locales like
NYC, Chicago. My classmates had similar offers.
Avg buy-in - 2 years. After paying for partnership (takes several years), average salary is closer to $200-250 - very dependent on clinic and surgical volume.
Most subspecialties - except for peds and retina, command another $25-30k starting out. Surgical retina probably starts in the low-mid $200, and peds lower 100s.
The numbers on most salary sites seem inflated - again, based on my experience.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2003
- Messages
- 62
- Reaction score
- 0
3-400's is pretty rediculous. It would have to be a subspecialty position in the complete middle of nowhere.
I think 125 or so for general (a little less in cities like LA, chicago, NYC, etc, a little more in rural areas) with a 30-35% bonus at 2.5-3.5 base collections is fairly standard. Add a little more for glaucoma or cornea, a little more still for retina or plastics.
In my opinion, your starting base salary is NOT the most important thing to look at when finding a job. Productivity bonus, buy in option, benefits, and noncompete clauses can be more important. A good working environment and the opportunity to build a strong practice are probably even more important.
I think 125 or so for general (a little less in cities like LA, chicago, NYC, etc, a little more in rural areas) with a 30-35% bonus at 2.5-3.5 base collections is fairly standard. Add a little more for glaucoma or cornea, a little more still for retina or plastics.
In my opinion, your starting base salary is NOT the most important thing to look at when finding a job. Productivity bonus, buy in option, benefits, and noncompete clauses can be more important. A good working environment and the opportunity to build a strong practice are probably even more important.
