Baby boomers are defined as those born during the post World War II baby boom between 1946 and 1964.  2011 minus 1946 equals 65 years old.  We are at that time period where the baby boomers are retiring, when their bodies are needing medical care akin to their age level.

Geriatricians are specialists in diseases of the elderly.  76 million baby boomers are retiring within the next  18 years.  There is definitely a demand for these physicians.

Salary.com

Because geriatrics is essentially a focused part of primary care, the salary is similar to other primary care physicians.  The median expected salary is $171,323 with the majority making between $158,222 and $193,847.

There’s a concern that the salary may be less given that medicare’s reimbursement rate is so low.  It’s possible.  Though, there are some physicians who charge a retainer fee like the Concierge Medicine model.  This would give you a higher income.

In order to become a geriatrician, you can do a fellowship after a family medicine residency or an internal medicine residency.  This will make you eligible to sit for the geriatrics board exam.  If you pass, you’ll receive a Certificate of Added Qualification in Geriatrics.

Currently there are 105 geriatrics fellowships by way of internal medicine and 44 fellowships by way of family medicine.

With 76 million baby boomers retiring in the next 18 years, geriatricians will be in hot demand.  You don’t necessarily need to have the added fellowship to practice medicine for the elderly, but it does make you more knowledgeable and more credible.  If you’re interested in the diseases of the elderly, you should consider this position to see if it suits you.

Sources
Salary.com – Geriatrics Physician Salary

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Did you know there are over 100 forms of arthritis?  Rheumatologists do.  They are the specialists of non-surgical joint disease, soft tissue disorders, vasculitis’, and autoimmune diseases.

Their practice is mainly office based and there is few, if any, call responsibilities.  The only on-call rheumatologists I knew of were in academic hospitals for pediatrics.

salary.com

Just how much do rheumatologists make?

Not as much as other specialists but more than primary care physicians.  The median salary for rheumatologists is $185,209.

Allied physicians reports that with a few years of experience, you can make $229,000 dollars per year.  Medscape says about 6% of rheumatologists are making over $500,000!  The majority of these physicians make $150,000 to $300,000.

To become a rheumatologist, you need to do a residency in either internal medicine or pediatrics.  Afterwards, you need to do a fellowship in rheumatology.  This usually lasts 2 years extra, but Mayo requires a 3 year program.  That means, in total, you will need to do 5 to 6 years of on-the-job training.

Currently, there are 112 programs offering less than 200 spots.  Half were US graduates, and half were foreign graduates.  During last year’s match, only 83% of programs filled, so this may not be a very competitive field.  That’s something to think about (in both good and bad ways)

Rheumatologists deal with interesting disorders of the body and help a ton of people deal with their disfiguring, debilitating pain.  Their lifestyle is pretty good with little to no call, a good salary, and shift-work.  If you like learning about these kinds of disorders, look into this field to see if it suits you.

Sources
Salary.com, Rheumatology Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
Medscape Compensation Survey
NRMP Fellowship Match Statistics
ACGME

Image Credit
Benmoon

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A nephrologist is an expert in the functions and diseases of the kidneys.  Along with that territory includes electrolyte imbalances, hypertension, blood in your urine, as well as dialysis.  We’ve covered the importance of diabetics needing primary care doctors and endocrinologists to manage their care.  However, even with proper care, diabetics can develop kidney problems that without treatment can lead to kidney failure.

Nephrologists usually practice in the clinic but might also be seen in a dialysis center or doing rounds in the hospital.  I know I have personally consulted nephrologists on many patients presenting in the hospital with renal failure or insanely high, resistant to treatment, electrolytes.

salary.com

Just how much do nephrologists make?

There is a large gap between three sources.  Salary.com reports the median expected salary as $209,628.  Whereas Medscape reports a median compensation of $230,000.  These salaries are not as high as other specialties simply because nephrology is not a procedural field.

If you are starting right out of residency, you might make $170,000 – $191,000.  With a few years of experience, you’ll meet the median expected salary.  Maximum salaries have been reported in the $400-$600K range.

With that said, the majority of reporting nephrologists are making between $185,342 and $242,852.

In order to become a nephrologist, you will need to do an internal medicine residency first.  Then you will need to do 2-4 years of fellowship.

The majority of nephrology fellowships are 2 years long.  However, if you are interested in academic medicine or research, you can opt to do the 3 or 4 year long fellowships that provide that training.

Currently, there are 143 programs offering over 380 nephrology fellowship spots.  91% of positions were filled which means competition might be tough.  Interestingly, 69% of those who matched into nephrology were international medical graduates!

Nephrologists are the physicians of kidneys.  Their expertise is needed in nearly all cases of acute or chronic renal failure, dialysis, kidney transplants, and rare autoimmune diseases.  The fellowship is only 2 years after an Internal Medicine residency.  That’s hardly a blink of an eye after all the training you’ve already been through.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Nephrology Physician Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
Mescape Compensation Survey
NMRP Fellowship Results
ACGME

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When I think of Infectious Disease, I think of the TV Show : House.  He’s board certified in Infectious Disease and is a genius when it comes to figuring out even the rarest of zebra infections.

Okay, so the show is a little exaggerated.

Still, it’s the premise of an Infectious Disease doctor.  These physicians are specialists of all contagious, transmissible, and communicable diseases.  Think of all the bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, and other creepy micro-organisms that can kill you.  Then you might appreciate an ID physician’s expertise in saving lives.

The salary of an ID doctor is generally higher than primary care physicians but lower than that of other specialists.  Why?  ID is not a procedural field and in today’s market, it’s procedures that make money.  ID is more about detailed history taking, clinical judgement, and lab markers.

salary.com

Just how much do Infectious Disease doctors make?

The median salary is $189,457 for all kinds of ID doctors.  If you are just starting out of residency you might make $154,000.

Geography makes a big difference in salary as well.  The Northwest is reporting $235,000 for ID doctors while the West coast has the least at $154,000.  Majority of physicians are reporting salary ranges between $174,269 to $219,729.  About 10% are making between $250k to $600k.

5 – 6 years of residency and fellowship is required for this specialty.  First, you must do an Internal Medicine residency lasting 3 years.  Then, you do an Infectious Disease fellowship lasting 2 – 3 years.

There are currently 144 programs offering over 300 fellowship spots.  Last year, only 85% of programs filled which might mean that competition may not be as hard as other specialties.

Infectious Disease doctors are specialists in all kinds of organisms that cause infection.  Their salary is in the upper 100s to low 200s.  Training includes 2 years beyond residency.  They work mainly in a clinic with some hospital call.  If you are a master sleuth, like the likes of House, you might really enjoy this field.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Infectious Disease Physician Salary 
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey 
Medscape Compensation Survey
NRMP – Fellowship Statistics
ACGME

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I respect ICU physicians a lot.  They are the smartest people I’ve ever met.  And they have to be.

Critically ill patients require a higher level of continuous care and intense treatment methods including medications that speed up or slow down your heart.

Often times, ICU physicians train in both critical care and pulmonology.  The critical care portion of their practice is in the hospital whereas the pulmonology part may require seeing patients in a clinic a few times per week.  Pulmonology is the study of the lungs, so picture patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, and asthma.  It is also a procedural field with bronchoscopies, central lines, and the like.

salary.com

Just how much do ICU doctors make?

A starting ICU/pulmonologist can make $215,000 dollars out of fellowship.  With experience, these physicians can earn much more.

Indeed, the highest reporting salary is $417,000.  Majority of the physicians make within a range of $200K to $300K.

Critical care / pulmonologist physicians require 3 years of fellowship training in addition to their internal medicine training.  That is a total of 6 years of post-graduate medical education.

Currently, there are 136 ICU fellowship programs offering 417 spots.  Last year, nearly half of all those who matched into an ICU program were either US IMG’s or FMG’s.  That’s an impressive success rate for foreign graduates!

For physicians that take care of patients at the most critical point in their lives, I’m a little surprised the reported salary averages were less than other specialists, like an Anesthesiologist.  Nevertheless, the salary is still very good.

It’s an intense job but you truly make a significant difference.  If you enjoy treating critical patients, learning all aspects of the lung, and bedside procedures, this may be the field for you.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Critical Care Physician Salary 
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey 
NRMP – Fellowship Statistics
ACGME

Image Credit
Wikipedia – Bronchoscopy

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I hate cancer.  More than 1,500 people die per day from it while 11 million people suffer as they live.  That is what makes a hematology / oncology physician so important : to care for these 11 million patients as they traverse the hardest and often very painful times of their life.

Hematology deals with the study of blood and it’s diseases.  Oncology is the study of cancers.  The two fields are usually taught together with the end result of tailoring your practice towards being a specialist in only one of the two.

The salary is on par with the rest of the specialists.  Meaning, it’s a lot.

salary.com

Straight out of residency, a hematology / oncology physician might make $181,348 but add on a few years of experience and the potential is much more.

Physicians reported earning between $171,293 to $408,963 with the majority making between $213K and $337K.  14% of physicians are reportedly making more than $500,000!

In order to become a heme / onc physician, be prepared to do 6 years of training.  First, you must do 3 years of internal medicine residency followed by 3 years of fellowship in hematology / oncology.

Internal medicine residency is easier to get into just because there are so many spots available.  Getting into the fellowship is harder.  Currently, there are only 134 programs offering about 300 spots.  So, the competition will be tough.

A heme / onc physician specializes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of blood disorders and cancers.  Majority of their practice time is in the office.  Although, occasionally they can be seen in the hospital rounding when their patients get admitted.

It’s an emotionally wrenching field but you have the opportunity to help so many people.  The training is long but the emotional and financial reward is great.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Hematology / Oncology Physician Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
Medscape, Compensation Survey
ACGME

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Stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding.  This is a short list of what gastroenterologists can do.  They are specialists of your GI tract which starts at your mouth then to the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus.  In addition, they are also trained in disorders of the liver, pancreas, and biliary tree.

At the hospital where I did residency, GI doctors were extremely busy.  You couldn’t get into one for months.  Their practice was mostly outpatient but with city call in the hospital.  Also, they did a ton of procedures.

And in medicine, procedures make bank.

salary.com

Just how much does a GI doctor make?  If you are just starting out of residency and fellowship, you might make $265,000.  Add on some years of experience, and you could earn much more.

Indeed, the median salary for all GI physicians was $321,935 with the range being $206,608 to $511,646.  A whopping 18% of all GI physicians make more than $500,000 per year!

How do they make so much?  They’re specialists of course and they do a lot of procedures.  They can go in from your mouth or up from your butt in order to look around, diagnose diseases, or snip off abnormal tissue for further evaluation.

Take colonoscopies for example.  The rate of screening colonoscopies for cancer steadily increases.  Over 2 million colonoscopies are performed per year.  A physician can get reimbursed anywhere from $200 – $600 dollars for that one procedure (variables apply).  Time spent = 30 minutes +/-  (whereas 30 minutes of seeing a patient in an office can get $96 dollars)

To become a GI specialist, you need 3 years of an Internal Medicine residency followed by 3 years of a GI fellowship.

If you want to specialize even further, there are also these sub-fellowships :

• hepatology
• advanced endoscopy
• esophageal diseases
• inflammatory  bowel disease
• motility
• pancreatology

Some of these sub-fellowships do not require the full 3 years of GI training.  So be sure to look at their admissions process carefully and early on in your GI career.

GI doctors are specialists of the digestive system and it’s related organs, diseases, and disorders.  It is a procedural field but not the ones you think of when you think of surgeons.  GI procedures include endoscopies, colonoscopies, ERCP, MRCP, etc.   The demand for these kinds of doctors are always prevalent with the advent of colorectal cancer screening and even newer technology like robotics and virtual medicine.  Excellent field, excellent salary.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Gastroenterology Physician Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
Medscape, Compensation Survey
ACGME

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An endocrinologist is a physician who deals with diseases related to the body’s glands and hormones.  These seemingly insignificant items are actually the vital functions of how you grow, how you feel, your metabolism, and tissue function.  Think diabetes, menopause, and thyroid problems and that will scratch the surface of what endocrinologists are specialists of.

This field is primarily office-based but you may be called into the hospital once in awhile for an endocrinology emergency like thyroid storm.  Endocrinologists who also have pediatric training might be called in to the hospital more often for children presenting with life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis.

Right now, there are 25.8 million patients with diabetes.  So the demand for an endocrinology physician is there and increasing.

salary.com

Surprisingly, the median salary for this specialist position is $187,695.  That’s only $15,068 more than the average salary for family medicine doctors.

The salary range for endocrinologists is $158,805 to $235,781.  But there is a potential to earn more.  Approximately 20% of endocrinologists make between $200,000 and $300,000.  Some endocrinologists make over $500,000!

With diabetes very prevalent in society, there are many clinical research trials available to endocrinology physicians only.  With clinical research, you act as a principle investigator, recruit patients into a study, examine and treat them according to strict protocols, and report back to the sponsor of the trial.  For every patient that you recruit, you are given a set amount of money.  Physicians doing this kind of research can earn a few hundred per patient to even thousands per patient.  It is a great way to supplement your income.

In order to become an endocrinologist, you must first complete an internal medicine residency program (3 years).  Then, you do an endocrinology fellowship that is typically 2 years long.  In total, it takes 5 years of training beyond medical school to become a specialist in this field.

Currently, there are 129 fellowship programs in endocrinology offering a little over 200 spots.  37% of applicants did not match.  So competition may be tough.

Also, the fellowship programs divide their spots between clinical and research, more so on the clinical side.  This can impact the competitiveness if you are interested in a clinical spot only or vice versa.  Be sure to read about the program and apply accordingly.

Endocrinologists are specialists of the body’s glands, hormones, and metabolic functions.  They usually practice in an office but can be seen in the hospital on occasion for a few endocrine emergencies.  The average salary for endocrinologists is only a little above a primary care physician.  However, the potential for an endocrinologist salary is much higher.

If you enjoy metabolic pathways, research, and an office-based lifestyle with minimal procedural skills, consider this field to see if it suits you.

Sources
Medscape Compensation Survey
Salary.com, Physician – Endocrinology  Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
NMRP – Fellowship Match Statistics
ACGME

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A cardiologist is a physician of the heart, that fist-sized muscle which is responsible for supplying blood to all parts of your body.  There are many types of diseases and disorders of the heart.  High blood pressure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, to say the least.  And statistics say that more than 1 out of every 4 americans die in the United States of heart disease.

Beyond your typical office visit, cardiologists can interpret specialized tests such as echocardiograms, EKGs, and stress tests.  They can also sub-specialize in multiple areas.  For example, interventional cardiology involves cardiologists who perform cardiac catheterizations and transesophageal echocardiograms.

salary.com

Just how much do cardiologists make?  The median reporting salary for a cardiologist is $308,621.

After residency and fellowship, starting cardiologists can make $268,000.  Although, most cardiologists report making between $257,024 and $369,422.  The highest reporting salary for a non-interventional cardiologist is $599,000!

If you sub-specialize in invasive or interventional cardiology, you can make $400,000 with a gigantic max of $800,000!

Cardiologists are physicians with a minimum of 6 years of residency training.  If you sub-specialize, ie: interventional cardiology or electrophysiology, tack on another year.  The typical pathway to cardiology is doing 3 years of an internal medicine residency followed by 3 years of a cardiology fellowship.

Currently there are 187 cardiology programs and 136 interventional cardiology programs so competition is stiff.  Many of these programs are divided with a 50/50 or 70/30 ratio of clinical training to conducting research.

Cardiologists are specialists of the heart and trained to diagnose, treat, and manage all disorders related to it.  In addition to those functions, they are licensed to interpret special cardiac tests (another money maker).  Their earning potential is very large but the training will set you back 3-4 years after a typical residency.

The heart is a fascinating organ and vital to life.  And in my country, this field is one of the most respected by all medical professionals and patients alike.  If you enjoy the heart, physiology, and rhythm strips, consider this field to see if it suits you.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Cardiology Physician Salary
CDC.gov – Heat Disease Facts
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
ACGME

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An Allergist / Immunologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients suffering from allergies, asthma, and immune diseases.  This actually comprises a large subset of patients than you think.

Imagine all patients suffering from food allergies, medication allergies, or a consistent runny nose.  Asthma alone affects over 15 million people in the United States.  Immune diseases are a rarer breed and can cross paths with genetic physicians.

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Just how much do Allergist / Immunologist physicians make?  More than primary care physicians.  The national average for starting right out of residency is $158,000.  The median average salary is $215,543.

Majority of allergy & immunology physicians reported earning between $194,042 and $247,988.  However, maximum salaries have been reported up to $487,000 dollars!  It’s a good life, a specialist.

Allergists & Immunologists are physicians with 5-6 years total of training.  In order to become one, you need to complete either an Internal Medicine residency or a Pediatrics residency.  Then, you can apply for a fellowship in Allergy / Immunology.

The fellowship is 2-3 years long.  The first year is geared towards learning clinical knowledge where as the second and third years are concentrated on conducting and publishing research.

There are currently 72 programs offering this fellowship as of this post.  Although some programs offer conjoined board certification in Allergy/Immunology, be sure to identify which residency programs accept your previous specialty.  Meaning, not every fellowship program allows either Internal Medicine or Pediatric physicians to apply.  Some of the programs are specialized to only IM or Peds.

Allergy & Immunology physicians are specialists in treating allergies, asthma, and immune deficiencies.  A fellowship in this field will set you back an extra 2-3 years but the earning potential is great.  If you enjoy antibodies, antigens, and research, take a look into this field to see if it suits you.

Sources
Salary.com, Physician – Allergy / Immunology Physician Salary
Allied Physicians – Physician Salary Survey
ACGME

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