Also, these fields make a lot because they've tightly controlled the number of radiologists/dermatologists trained each year. By keeping their numbers relatively controlled, they can ensure that they can maintain their demand.
Take derm for example, probably one of the most competitive fields because there are so few programs. Let's say they double the number of derms out there. There'll be many more dermatolgists competiting for the same patient base. More competition lowers prices. A lot of people picked derm because it pays a ton with a good lifestyle (although a few don't like to admit this) so they don't want to see this happen so they limit how many they train.
I was going to post that but you beat me to it. Derm is definitely constrained by the numbers of residency spots. The reason they can do this is because there is typically not outcry for 'shortage of dermatologists' by the general public.
Hence, derms can fly under the radar and restrict their numbers, making their practices pretty lucrative.
That's part of it, when it comes to rads, at least. It wasn't too long ago (late 90's) that radiology was in the toilet. The job market sucked. They couldn't give residency spots away.
Then suddenly this flurry of new imaging techniques, each with a very generous reimbursement rate, came onto the scene. Overnight the number of studies being ordered skyrocketed, and the amount of cash flowing in went along for the ride.
The fee schedule took a hit, though, last year I believe (17% cuts in some areas). There's still a lot of money in it, but it's not quite the open trough it has been.
That's true also. And let that be a warning to all med students when it comes to matching. Anesthesia was also the unwanted child, so much so that FMGs could match into it (no offense to them, but they do tend to get leftover picks....). Now, it's considered the R.O.A.D to success.
Pick a specialty that you can see yourself doing, because you will most likely be stuck with it for better AND for worse.
I wanted to add one more thing to the discussion. This issue hasn't been brought up before but I theorize that women entering medicine also ratchet up the demand for 'lifestyle' specialty like derm and and rad.
I glanced at my med school's class picture from the 60's and it was almost all males, except for a couple of women in there. Now, the gender split nationwide is 50-50.
Since girls tend to be more concerned with work/life balance, it stands to reason that come match time, when many are in serious relationship/married/looking to the future, they would match into stuff like derm/rad/gas/etc rather than surgery. The only guys who've spoken on the work/life issue are usually married and/or have kids. Many guys brush the issue off, some saying that they will have wives to take care of the home etc.
From MS1, I've seen girls restrict themselves to perceived 'lifestyle' specialties in order to accommodate family time into their career. I wonder how much of that attitude, now so prevalent in med school due to the influx of girls into med school, contributes to the overall competitive nature of so-called lifestyle specialties.
This isn't a strike against the gals, since I find work/life issues very relevant but it may be a factor in the run towards more family friendly medical professions.