Starting salary for oculoplastics in CA Bay Area

[baconandeggs]

Hello,

I know there are several "salary" threads posted already, but I have not been able to find the answer to ...

1) How does a specialty physician determine his/her true market value in a specific region other than anecdote?

2) What is a reasonable, competitive starting salary for Oculoplastics in a CA private practice?

3) Any reasonable expectations in terms of salary scaling (with years experience) and bonuses? I have read this thread but not sure if the feedback would still apply in this scenario.

TIA!


Edit 3/24/09: Just to be clear, the above post was not intended to find ways to take advantage of anyone. It was really intended to avoid being victim of potential predatory practices.

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[orbitsurgMD]

Hello,

I know there are several "salary" threads posted already, but I have not been able to find the answer to ...

1) How does a specialty physician determine his/her true market value in a specific region other than anecdote?

2) What is a reasonable, competitive starting salary for Oculoplastics in a CA Bay Area private practice?

3) Any reasonable expectations in terms of salary scaling (with years experience) and bonuses? I have read this thread but not sure if the feedback would still apply in this scenario.

TIA!

1. Market value is what someone will pay you, or someone else, to do the same work.


2. There is no such published figure. Everything will depend on the size and expectations of the group hiring you. A reasonable index is the typical rate at which general ophthalmologists are paid as new hires, and the trend at which oculoplastic hires were paid in recent past years.

This is a very small practice community. Many oculoplastic doctors are solo practitioners. Averages of past offers in the face of current economic conditions may not be good indicators of the present salary range.

The SF Bay area is well-served, as are most attractive coastal locations. Comparing opportunities in that area with offers elsewhere, especially inland and in the South, the offers will be relatively lower, especially considering the high living and housing costs in northern coastal California.

Institutional hiring scales are a reasonable starting point in any market: Find out what Kaiser pays their ophthalmologists.

3. "Scaling" is relative to productivity. After a few years, doctors are expected to paddle their own canoes, and guarantees are usually eliminated in favor of a production-based pay formula. "Salary" then becomes only a uniform draw against projected recoveries, which has to be balanced out as either bonus (hopefully) or recoupment within a year.

 

[baconandeggs]

Thanks orbitsurgMD. Great feedback / advice as usual!

 

[shredhog65]

For a general idea, you can also take a look at the AAO website job listings.

The SF bay area, or any other desirable city will almost always pay less than a rural/ undesirable location. There will also be more competition. Even if you aren't willing to take a pay cut to live in a highly desirable area, it's likely that someone else will. Of course, if you start out on your own your salary is whatever you produce. Like orbitsurg said, if you are highered by a group you will be on productivity after a year or two anyway.