Maximizing Military Physician Pay

[The White Coat Investor]

I was curious this afternoon, and decided to figure out what one of my commanders was making. Just to generalize this, I decided to see what the maximum a military physician could make. You may or may not find this interesting.

First, we'll assume this person is an O-6 orthopedic surgeon who lives in NYC with 26 years service, currently serving in a combat zone (yea right).

Basic Pay: $9035.70/month = $108,428.40/year
BAH: $2621/month = $31,452/year
BAS: $192.74/month = $2312.88/year
VSP: $583.33/month = $7000/year
BCP: $500/month = $6000/year
Hazardous duty: $150/month = $1800/year
Hostile Fire: $225/month = $2700/year
ASP: $15,000/year
ISP: $36,000/year
MSP: $14,000/year

Total: $224,693.28

Of course, one also wonders how much the lowliest residency trained physician in the medical corps makes:

Let's take an O-3 with 3 years (residency) pediatrician with a training commitment finishing an HPSP scholarship and deferred civilian residency, single, non-deployed, not yet board certified, living in say, Del Rio (unless someone can suggest someplace with lower BAH.)

Base Pay: $4028.40/month = $48340.80/year
BAH: $934/month = $11208/year
BAS: $192.74/month = $2312.88/year
VSP: $416.67/month = $5000/year
ASP: $15,000/year
ISP: $12,000/year

Total: $ 93,861.68

Of note, a GMO in the same location would make

Base Pay: $3292.20/month = $39506.40/year
BAH: $934/month = $11208/year
BAS: $192.74/month = $2312.88/year
VSP: $416.67/month = $5000/year
ASP: $15,000/year

Total: $73027.28

An intern in San Antonio would make

Base Pay: $3292.20/month = $39506.40/year
BAH: $1073/month = $12876/year
BAS: $192.74/month = $2312.88/year
VSP: $100/month = $1200/year (I think)

Total: $55895.28

A brand spanking new ROTC graduate would make

Base Pay: $2469.30/month = $29631.60/year
BAH: $642/month = $7704/year
BAS: $192.74/month = $2312.88/year

Total: $39648.48

So as near as I can tell, the military believes your medical degree is worth about $16K per year.

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[NavyFP]

Since you are trying to max out. The Orthopod at 26 with a 4 year MSP to get him to mand retirment at 30 would make 41K for ISP and 33K for MSP, so the total would be higher.

Don't forget to note, if in a combat zone he would get the first $6200 of his pay tax free every month.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

Well, what value does the civilian community place on a medical degree? I'll bet if you compare what your average college graduate makes with what a civilian intern makes, you will find that the civilian community treats the medical degree as a liability.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Since you are trying to max out. The Orthopod at 26 with a 4 year MSP to get him to mand retirment at 30 would make 41K for ISP and 33K for MSP, so the total would be higher.

Don't forget to note, if in a combat zone he would get the first $6200 of his pay tax free every month.

Can you explain why the ISP and MSP would be higher than 36K/14K? The only references I have seen show they max out at 36K per year and 14K per year.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Well, what value does the civilian community place on a medical degree? I'll bet if you compare what your average college graduate makes with what a civilian intern makes, you will find that the civilian community treats the medical degree as a liability.

Not a bad point.