Difference in Practicing in South vs. North?

[imflying]

Bear with me, because my post is going to make assertions a) based on memory and not necessarily from fact and b) based on only a few cases. But here it is.

It seems like so many attendings/residents/fellows/etc who come on here complain about so many things in medicine (this is the part based on memory), but primarily some combination of long hours and less pay. But judging from the (admittedly few) docs I know in FL, they're making some decent money as far as I can tell, and one doc I know actively encouraged her kids to pursue medicine. She also only completed residency in the past 10-15 years or so, so it's not like she made bank in the 80s or whenever times were supposed to be good for docs.

In fact, of all the docs I know, it seems like they are all comfortable to borderline wealthy. Is there some difference in compensation/lifestyle/work conditions for physicians in the South versus North?

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[tweek125]

A lot of it has to do with the state you're practicing in, not necessarily whether it's in the Southern or Northern part of the country, and whether you're in a metropolitan area or rural area. And a lot of people on here complain because (I'm assuming) the workload they deal with is fairly large. Again, it varies by state and setting, not always North or South.

 

[flip26]

In general, doctors make more money in, for example, Louisiana, than in the more "desirable" east coast cities (NYC, etc.). I have heard examples of new EM docs pulling in $300k in Louisiana vs $225k in NYC. Add in the difference in cost of living, and this is a huge difference.

 

[jrou111]

In general, doctors make more money in, for example, Louisiana, than in the more "desirable" east coast cities (NYC, etc.). I have heard examples of new EM docs pulling in $300k in Louisiana vs $225k in NYC. Add in the difference in cost of living, and this is a huge difference.

Bingo. The cost of living is quite a bit less in the South, even in large Metropolitan areas like Atlanta or NO. Property is significantly less expensive here as well. Even coastal properties along the Gulf and the Atlantic are less expensive in the South.