Orthopedic surgeons are offered the second highest average income of the top 20 recruited specialties, behind invasive cardiologists, according to Merritt Hawkins' 2018 Incentive Review.
The consulting firm reviewed 3,045 physicians and advanced practitioner search assignments to compile its data.
Here is the average 2017/2018 income for the top 20 recruited physician specialties:
1. Family medicine: $241,000
2. Psychiatry: $261,000
3. Nurse practitioner: $129,000
4. Internal medicine: $261,000
5. Radiology: $371,000 (Teleradiology: $375,000)
6. OB/GYN: $324,000
7. Hospitalist: $269,000
8. Gastroenterology: $487,000
9. Urgent care: $234,000
10. Orthopedic surgery: $533,000
11. Emergency medicine (American Board of Emergency Medicine only): $358,000
12. Dermatology: $425,000
13. Pediatrics: $230,000
14. Cardiology (non-invasive): $427,000; Cardiology (invasive): $590,000
15. Neurology: $301,000
16. Otolaryngology: $405,000
17. Urology: $386,000
18. Pulmonology: $418,000
19. Anesthesiology: $371,000
20. Physician assistant: $109,000
Note: Includes base salary or guaranteed income only; does not include bonuses or benefits.