Current job market?

[napoleondynamite]

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I'm curious to hear input from those of you who have recently been interviewing for jobs (senior residents..or other residents who know stories from their seniors). How much are you worth to most employers right out of residency? How much is the disparity between private vs academic? Also, what is the range of partnership tracks you were offered..2 years, more? And how much, on average, does it cost to buy into a practice?

Questions about money are never popular 🙄 but we're all wondering and these are necessary things to start thinking about. Anyway, would appreciate anyone's honest input who has recently been through this process. Thanks!

 

[stephew]

its a bit early but from what im seeing its retty good in academics.

 

[qwert]

I'm curious to hear input from those of you who have recently been interviewing for jobs (senior residents..or other residents who know stories from their seniors). How much are you worth to most employers right out of residency? How much is the disparity between private vs academic? Also, what is the range of partnership tracks you were offered..2 years, more? And how much, on average, does it cost to buy into a practice?

Questions about money are never popular 🙄 but we're all wondering and these are necessary things to start thinking about. Anyway, would appreciate anyone's honest input who has recently been through this process. Thanks!

I'd love to see some numbers too.

 

[Adawaal]

its a bit early but from what im seeing its retty good in academics.

steph, glad to hear you say that. The impression I've been getting is that it's pretty wide open for private practice these days (if you're open to location at least) but that things are getting a little tight in academics. I know of a few spots in academia, but it sounds like the departments are hoping to fill these starting July 2008 (which doesn't help us PGY-4s....).

 

[IndyXRT]

There did seem to be a few spots in academics this year (more are popping up). I did a bit of research in preparing for job applications, and it seemed that starting salaries for private/academic were similar. There are plusses and minuses to both (more built in perks and better benefits in academic jobs, higher top salaries in private jobs, etc.). I'm not going to be much help past that - I only went on one interview before signing (I've never been very good at the interview trail).

For more info, ARRO has a job seminar each year at ASTRO, and I'm told it's good (should have gone last year; I plan to go this year to find out what I should have done 🙂

Edit: don't despair, Adawaal; the job postings in academics tend to pop up each year around ASTRO time. There will be more jobs next year. There is always attrition to other departments, retirement, and private practice.

 

[Leapfrog80]

I was told that the salary in private practice is much higher. Academics tends to start under $200,000 (according to a local private rad onc I talked to), and private practice can start around $250K, but reach well over $500,000 once you make partner, depending on the area. I have heard of several privates making over 1 million, but they are much older and have been partners for years.

 

[IndyXRT]

I was told that the salary in private practice is much higher. Academics tends to start under $200,000 (according to a local private rad onc I talked to), and private practice can start around $250K, but reach well over $500,000 once you make partner, depending on the area. I have heard of several privates making over 1 million, but they are much older and have been partners for years.

My impression (and this is just the opinion of one person) is that the *potential* for much higher salaries exists in private practice. The high salaries in private practice require some business savvy, in my opinion. You have to pick a good group and be able to become partner. There is also greater risk associated with the very high salaries, as they likely involve getting some portion of the technical fees (i.e. owning your own equipment). As with everything in business, with higher risks come higher rewards. My impression is that certainly not everyone in private practice makes it to that $500,000 plus club, and that those without good business sense and the ability to build a strong referral base may even do worse than those in academics.

 

[staphaureus]

Is the salary posted here a little too liberal?

http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_radoncology.htm

 

[stephew]

nope that's pretty accurate as a median. it varies WIDELY based on site and nature of practice though.