Compensation Question

[Dotsero]

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I was reading an online blog by an Ob-gyn doc and in she mentioned that she worked about 60 hrs/week and made around $200K. She went on to say that if you wanted to make more than $250K you would really need to work
100+hrs/week.

This seems Low to me. When you look at the physician employment websites they list salaries from $250-$300K/yr w/ potential to $450K. What's the real deal? Anyone want to enlighten us as to what an OB straight out of residency can expect to make (and how many hours/week you would need to work)? Do you really have to kill yourself working more than a 100 hrs/week to make in the $300K range (as a generalist)?

So often talking about money seems to be taboo. And while it's true it's not all about money, money does play a part considering how much debt I am taking on to become a physician.

Please help shed some light on this issue. Thanks.

 

[anonperson]

I was reading an online blog by an Ob-gyn doc and in she mentioned that she worked about 60 hrs/week and made around $200K. She went on to say that if you wanted to make more than $250K you would really need to work
100+hrs/week.

This seems Low to me. When you look at the physician employment websites they list salaries from $250-$300K/yr w/ potential to $450K. What's the real deal? Anyone want to enlighten us as to what an OB straight out of residency can expect to make (and how many hours/week you would need to work)? Do you really have to kill yourself working more than a 100 hrs/week to make in the $300K range (as a generalist)?

So often talking about money seems to be taboo. And while it's true it's not all about money, money does play a part considering how much debt I am taking on to become a physician.

Please help shed some light on this issue. Thanks.

Salaries can vary a lot regionally. But I do think the online blog doc may be overstating the number of hours needed to earn $250,000.

At my program, I am aware of some of the salaries of the generalists.

One of my attendings(male) was offered ~$230,000 right out of residency in one of the well established groups in the area. This was about 3 years ago.

The partners of the group are pulling in ~$400,000-$500,000 or so a year with 6 weeks of vacation. One night of call per week on average. About 2 OR days and 2 or 3 days in the clinic.

This is a moderately busy practice with several generalists and about ~1200 deliveries a year and a pretty solid GYN surgical volume.

I'd say on average the attendings work anywhere from 60-80 hours a week. I don't know of any of them who are doing 100 hours a week to be honest. They work very hard though and are often operating post call or running office hours but a lot of time they do have midwife coverage as well so they are able to sleep a fair amount during the night.

 

[bve388]

First, don't use the word salary, it is misleading.

Second, the compensation will vary enormously across the country and regions. If you are in a rural area you will make more, major metro with a lot of programs nearby, a lot less.

Third, the earnings coming out of residency will range anywhere from 120-240. However the problem is that the higher number is likely going to be a bait number either at a malignant practice or a hospital assisted startup/join which will hit a revenue cliff once the period is over.

The basics are this. Practices are businesses. What you make is based on how you are compensated (the model) and what your overhead looks like. If you are in an area where employees are expensive, MP is high, and basic overhead is elevated you are going to make less no matter what you do.

Think of it this way. If you work in middle of nowhere Wyoming (one of the highest paid OB states) you will end up with a 35-40% overhead cost. So if you generate 600 in revenue, you will take home roughly 350k/yr. However that revenue number is obviously dependent on how much you work, your vacation load, your payor mix, amount of ob vs gyn etc.

Now, if you go to a place like South Florida, NYC, California, your overhead is going to jump to 60-70% while your revenues *might* go up 10-15%. So the busiest physician in the world is going to make less there.

So, yes, I know a lot of OBGYNs that make 200-225. I know quite a few that make 150-200. I know a handful that make north of 500-600k (all females, all very hard working). That's life.