Compensation: Dermatology versus Radiation Oncology

[DonaldDraper]

We have seen threads of rads vs. rad onc, derm vs. rads, but we have not seen a thread for derm vs. rad onc. For all extensive purposes, derm and rad onc are great lifestyle specialties and are ultra competitive and have different patient cohorts, patient care, treatment regimens, practice models, etc...

I'll obviously do a specialty I enjoy at the end of the day and not have salary figure$ naively dictate what I want to do for the next 30 years of my life loll...but in the meantime How would you compare the compensations from both fields based on anecdotal offers you've been seeing?

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[DukeNukem]

That's it. I may be a nobody around here, but I am so sick and tired of reading about which specialty reimburses the best and which will pay the most in the future. DO WHAT YOU ENJOY. Derm and Rad Onc are COMPLETELY different specialties. I can't think of two specialties that are more dissimilar.

I propose we ignore all threads like this. It is a black eye to the profession when the choice of specialty becomes mostly about money.

 

[Gfunk6]

A far more relevant question for you is: what will the compensation be like between Derm and Rad Onc when I enter practice. The answer to this question is at least five years away for you. Nobody can predict the future so it's anybody's guess what the answer is. I think it is safe to say that both will reimburse less than they do now.

As for salaries in the current market, look at the FAQ and various threads in Derm & Rad Onc and draw your own conclusions. As a moderator, I think I've been pretty upfront about salaries in the FAQ. If you have specific questions post them.

 

[DonaldDraper]

I mean, i looked at previous threads and they are outdated...I made my intentions clear also this info is not for the sake of pushing me to one field etc....I suppose in light of todays economy (true, it will chance 7 years down the road when I'm done) so can we just strictl focus on #s (rad onc job offers especially are something that is not reported on the net)

 

[Gfunk6]

I think the FAQ is abundantly clear and the data is very up to date. Here are the hard numbers for grads who entered the market in 2010 (e.g. 6 months ago).

$278,000 mean
$180,000 - $350,000 range

 

[DonaldDraper]

Sounds awesome, assuming you are entering a private practice setting (buy in vs. no buyin), what increments can you be expected to see?

 

[Gfunk6]

Increments?? You assume I have data that I simply don't have.

Your starting salary in private groups is more a function of regional variance and the prestige of the group. Desirable areas and/or prestigious groups will tend to push your starting salary below the mean and vice versa.

Buy-in, for practices that own their equipment is a process that generally starts once you hit partner and is usually in the hundreds of thousands. How high depends on the size of the group and the hardware they have available.

 

[zoirusha]

Agree 100%

That's it. I may be a nobody around here, but I am so sick and tired of reading about which specialty reimburses the best and which will pay the most in the future. DO WHAT YOU ENJOY. Derm and Rad Onc are COMPLETELY different specialties. I can't think of two specialties that are more dissimilar.

I propose we ignore all threads like this. It is a black eye to the profession when the choice of specialty becomes mostly about money.

 

[scrubs421]

Maybe i'll be snubbed for this. I don't know, but I actually think that there are a lot of similiarities between Derm and Rad Onc (actually, I worked in both departments (only briefly)); I am honestly very much stuck of which one to pursue further---if someone has feeddback on this I would love to hear it.

First thing, ignore compensation comparison in this decision (looking at you OP) because who knows how the health care system will look in 5-10 years.

Similarities include:

1) Variety of patients---Both Derm and Rad Onc have patients of ALL different ages (though fewer Peds in Rad Onc than in Derm)
2) See most patients in the "outpatient" type of setting in both Derm and Rad Onc (Rad Oncs don't usually physically set up patients in the treatment rooms)
3) They are both very visual specialties--Derm, obviously the disease manifests on the skin and Rad Onc--Imaging/Treatment planning all are very very visual

4) Obvious differences: Derm most of your patients are generally healthy, not the case in Rad Onc (though I've been quoted by attendings that avg cure rate of Rad Onc is 50% now and climbing, so who knows how this will change in 10-15 years)

5) Rad Onc & Derm both perform some interventions (e.g. MOHS for Derm) but only Rad Oncs ends up in the OR (seed planting etc).

Honestly, as a 3rd year medical student, with an interest in cancer (especially skin cancer), I am having a tough time figuring out which one of these specialties is right for me.

I would most def love some input.

 

[LaCasta]

Here is a more relevant question:

What is the salary ceiling for med onc vs. rad onc.? I have read in other threads that the ceiling for rad onc is very high (up to 1 mil) if you focus on certain treatments of prostate cancer, or if you own certain equipment. I've never heard what the ceiling on med onc can be.

 

[stankem]

Maybe i'll be snubbed for this. I don't know, but I actually think that there are a lot of similiarities between Derm and Rad Onc (actually, I worked in both departments (only briefly)); I am honestly very much stuck of which one to pursue further---if someone has feeddback on this I would love to hear it.

First thing, ignore compensation comparison in this decision (looking at you OP) because who knows how the health care system will look in 5-10 years.

Similarities include:

1) Variety of patients---Both Derm and Rad Onc have patients of ALL different ages (though fewer Peds in Rad Onc than in Derm)
2) See most patients in the "outpatient" type of setting in both Derm and Rad Onc (Rad Oncs don't usually physically set up patients in the treatment rooms)
3) They are both very visual specialties--Derm, obviously the disease manifests on the skin and Rad Onc--Imaging/Treatment planning all are very very visual

4) Obvious differences: Derm most of your patients are generally healthy, not the case in Rad Onc (though I've been quoted by attendings that avg cure rate of Rad Onc is 50% now and climbing, so who knows how this will change in 10-15 years)

5) Rad Onc & Derm both perform some interventions (e.g. MOHS for Derm) but only Rad Oncs ends up in the OR (seed planting etc).

Honestly, as a 3rd year medical student, with an interest in cancer (especially skin cancer), I am having a tough time figuring out which one of these specialties is right for me.

I would most def love some input.

hah just make sure you dont tell anyone on rotations you're between rad onc and derm.

 

[Gfunk6]

Here is a more relevant question:

What is the salary ceiling for med onc vs. rad onc.? I have read in other threads that the ceiling for rad onc is very high (up to 1 mil) if you focus on certain treatments of prostate cancer, or if you own certain equipment. I've never heard what the ceiling on med onc can be.

If you are a Radiation Oncologist and your annual income is ~$1,000,000, it's not like a magical fairy will come into your house and say, "Sorry, you've reached the "ceiling" and I'm afraid you can't earn any more than this!"

Your earning power is a function of your own abilities, business savvy, location in the country, and ethics.

 

[radiaterMike]

Such a fairy did exist at one time- but Dosoretz squished him.

 

[bronx43]

We have seen threads of rads vs. rad onc, derm vs. rads, but we have not seen a thread for derm vs. rad onc. For all extensive purposes, derm and rad onc are great lifestyle specialties and are ultra competitive and have different patient cohorts, patient care, treatment regimens, practice models, etc...

I'll obviously do a specialty I enjoy at the end of the day and not have salary figure$ naively dictate what I want to do for the next 30 years of my life loll...but in the meantime How would you compare the compensations from both fields based on anecdotal offers you've been seeing?

This is hilarious.
So... you've got compensation figures and lifestyle anecdotes about derm from derm vs rads threads, and you've got rad onc compensation figures and lifestyle anecdotes from rads vs rad onc threads. For some odd reason, you can't seem to put two and two together and figure out how derm compares to rad onc.
Too bad you're banned, kid.

 

[LaCasta]

If you are a Radiation Oncologist and your annual income is ~$1,000,000, it's not like a magical fairy will come into your house and say, "Sorry, you've reached the "ceiling" and I'm afraid you can't earn any more than this!"

Your earning power is a function of your own abilities, business savvy, location in the country, and ethics.

Are you serious?!? I thought the salary ceiling was literal, and if you wanted to go past it, you had to bust out the power saw

😛

Is it safe to say that rad oncs have a higher income potential than med oncs due to the things I mentioned, or is there a sleazy side of med onc too?

 

[Gfunk6]

Is it safe to say that rad oncs have a higher income potential than med oncs due to the things I mentioned, or is there a sleazy side of med onc too?

Come on you guys, this line of thinking is silly. I've been very open and honest about quoting starting and median salaries for Rad Onc. If you want to know what other specialties make I would ask in their forums.

Also, max salary is a ridiculous topic. If you throw ethics out the window, you can make a lot of money but I'm sure that's not why we entered the medical field.

Thread closed.