Obgyn’s, as we call them, are physicians trained in managing patients throughout their entire pregnancy process. From fertilization or lack thereof to the delivery of a newborn child and every wonderful (sometimes heartbreaking) event in between. In addition, these physicians diagnose and treat disorders of the female genitalia and organs.
It’s a tough job. You see, majority of patients love their baby doctor and have created a bond with them over the last 9+ months of seeing them. You deliver their bundle of joy.
And that’s great, that’s really great.
But the important thing is it means you’re essentially on call 24/7, 7 days a week. That’s a lot of work and why I say it’s a tough job. With that kind of work load in mind, the salary doesn’t seem to fit.
medscape.com
Just how much do OB/GYN physicians make?
34% of these physicians make between $200,000 and $300,000. Some make more, even as high as $500,000. If you are just starting out of residency, you might make in the low $200 thousands.
There are some obstetric gynecology physicians that make less than these numbers, about 27% or so. It’s unclear whether this is because they are part-time or if their overhead & malpractice is too high.
To become an obstetric and gynecology physician, residents must undergo 4 years of specialty training. They do not have to do a preliminary or transitional year. It’s just 4 years of straight ob/gyn. Currently, there are 242 ob/gyn residency programs offering more than 1,200 positions!
Ob/gyn doctors can also sub-specialize by doing a fellowship. However, this will set you back another 3 years for a total of 7 years of post-graduate training! Below is a list of fellowships you can do after an ob/gyn residency:
- Female Pelvic Medicine / Reconstructive Surgery
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Gynecologic Oncology / Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Obstetrics and gynecology is a surgical specialty. Expect to be in the clinic, delivery room, and operating room, a lot. Delivering babies vaginally and by c-section can be extremely rewarding but don’t forget the work load. But you might find that the rewards far outweigh the negatives. Then, go for it.
Sources
Medscape Compensation Survey
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
NRMP Matching Statistics
ACGME
Hi,
I would like to know is the OB/GYN residency program competitive and what are the chances of an IMG making it into the program?
Hello,
Take a look at the NRMP Match Statistic for 2012 and 2011 to get an idea for the competitiveness of OBGYN residency as well as how many IMGs were able to get a spot in that field.
Good luck!