OB/GYN Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for qualified OB/GYN physicians are expected
to rise by 18% by the year 2022.
OB stands for obstetrics/obstetrician, whereas GYN stands for gynecology/gynecologist. Specialized
education and training helps an obstetrician in the management of pregnancy, labor, and the time
immediately following childbirth, whereas a gynecologist is a physician who is trained to diagnose
and treat disorders related to the female reproductive system. Though obstetrics and gynecology are
varied fields, the education and training for obstetrics and gynecology takes place concurrently.
Thus, an OB/GYN is a physician who delivers babies, and treats diseases of the female reproductive
organs. He/she helps in the prevention and treatment of medical conditions related to the female
reproductive organs. Hence, doctors who have specialized in this field have thorough knowledge
about women's reproductive health, gynecological problems, pregnancy, childbirth, and other
associated problems.
Medical jobs are listed as the highest paying jobs in the United States. OB/GYNs have a good annual
income, but their salary varies depending on factors such as geographical location,
employer/organization, years of experience, etc. A doctor having certifications in more than one
specialization earns much higher than those with only one specialization.
Factors Affecting the Salary of an OB/GYN
An obstetrics and gynecology physician can work in government hospitals and private clinics. During
the first few years after completing residency training, most specialists choose to work as assistants
to other qualified physicians. This way, they can get practical training. After gaining experience,
OB/GYN specialists have the option of opening their own clinics or hold teaching positions at a
university or hospital.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2014, the mean annual wage and the mean
hourly wage for this occupation was USD 214,750 and USD 103.25, respectively.
The top paying industries for the occupation of OB/GYNs included:
Specialty hospitals
Outpatient care centers
Offices of physicians
Local government
General medical and surgical hospitals
The top paying states included:
Wisconsin
Iowa

Idaho
South Dakota
Nevada
States with the highest employment level in this occupation included:
California
New York
Texas
Florida
Ohio
While OB/GYNs working in hospitals or clinic earn more than USD 200,00 per year, qualified and
experienced self-employed OB-GYNs have a higher annual income that could reach up to USD
400,000.
According to the Medscape's 2014 compensation report, male OB/GYNs earn more than their female
counterparts. The highest earners lived in the Great Lakes and North Central regions (USD 264,000
and USD 251,000, respectively), whereas those living in the Northeast (USD 234,000) and the
Southeast ($237,000) were the lowest and second lowest earners among OB/GYNs.
Highest earners were the OB/GYNs working for healthcare organizations, with the annual income of
USD 273,000, followed by those working in office-based multi-specialty group practice (USD
271,000), office-based single-specialty group practice (USD 255,000), hospitals (USD 228,000),
office-based solo practice (USD 212,000), academic/research/military, government (USD 209,000),
and outpatient clinics (USD 207,000).
In general, the average salary of an OB/GYN falls somewhere between USD 150,000 to USD
250,000. Indeed, it requires rigorous training and patience to get certified in multiple
specializations. However, a plus point with more than one specialization is a higher pay scale than
other physicians with only one certification. With more than one certification and years of
experience, the salary of an OB/GYN salary may go up to 400,000 per year.
The following table provides data about the median salary in the states.
Alabama USD 218,983 Alaska USD 291,203 Arizona USD 252,256 Arkansas USD
212,586 California USD 285,193 Colorado USD 260,690 Connecticut USD
286,251 Delaware USD 279,674 District of Columbia USD 284,755 Florida USD
249,341 Georgia USD 233,169 Hawaii USD 279,983 Idaho USD 249,083 Illinois USD
271,239 Indiana USD 237,476 Iowa USD 209,517 Kansas USD 239,411 Kentucky USD
226,746 Louisiana USD 210,574 Maine USD 245,833 Maryland USD
264,946 Massachusetts USD 278,565 Michigan USD 268,970 Minnesota USD
269,924 Mississippi USD 236,135 Missouri USD 253,855 Montana USD 226,463 Nebraska USD
243,925 Nevada USD 266,751 New Hampshire USD 272,374 New Jersey USD 277,636 New
Mexico USD 196,414 New York USD 248,000 North Carolina USD 233,066 North Dakota USD

233,943 Ohio USD 245,627 Oklahoma USD 216,584 Oregon USD 266,184 Pennsylvania USD
251,327 Rhode Island USD 270,930 South Carolina USD 237,554 South Dakota USD
149,084 Tennessee USD 233,865 Texas USD 227,623 Utah USD 237,244 Vermont USD
240,262 Virginia USD 284,755 Washington USD 269,872 West Virginia USD
226,437 Wisconsin USD 245,085 Wyoming USD 235,155
OB/GYN Job Description and Educational Requirements
Being specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, OB/GYNs provide therapeutic intervention for
problems concerning female reproductive organs, pregnancy management, child delivery, and
gynecological problems. They also offer prenatal care for both the mother and the baby. Other than
these, work areas include diagnosis of hormonal fluctuations, urinary tract problems, pelvis
disorders, cervical cancer, breast cancer, etc. If necessary, surgical procedures are handled by
OB/GYN doctors, in addition to drug therapy.
The education and training for OB/GYN is very strenuous. In order to become an
obstetrician/gynecologist, one has to complete a four-year undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor
of Science in Human Biology. It's advisable to take up courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Thereafter, the aspirants would have to pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to gain
entry into accredited medical school. They have to complete the 4-year medical school program,
during which the aspiring OB/GYNs can choose to take up classes that focus on obstetrics and
gynecology. They must complete an internship and residency in a hospital. The residency lasts for 34 years. If pursuing a specialization, they need to complete a fellowship program that might last for
2-4 years. OB/GYNs can specialize in gynecological oncology, infertility treatment, or gynecological
surgery. Those who hold such specializations can expect to earn more.
On a concluding note, factors such as the geographical location, experience, specialization, work
settings, etc., can affect the salary of Obstretrician/Gynecologists (OB/GYNs). The good job
prospects can be linked to the increased growth in the healthcare sector with respect to rise in
population. The employment growth for all physicians, which includes OB/GYNs, is higher than any
other occupation.