How Much Do OB-GYN Doctors Make?
The medical field is known to be a well-paying one, but a number of factors play into exactly how well-compensated a physician is. Generally, doctors earn more than the average worker, but expenses such as student loans and malpractice insurance can quickly offset that high income. Additionally, the specialty a doctor chooses will also determine how much they earn. For example, a plastic surgeon is likely to garner a higher salary than physicians in many other specialties.
Average Salary for OB-GYN Physicians
The average annual salary for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) falls somewhere in the middle of physicians’ earnings, according to Medscape. The medical information site surveyed more than 10,000 physicians in more than 29 different specialties to create the 2023 Medscape OB/GYN Compensation Report. According to this report, the average salary for OB-GYN doctors is $337,000, up slightly from the 2022 report. While the specialty ranks well above Public Health & Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics, OB-GYNs earn significantly less than plastic surgeons.
| Medical Specialty | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Plastic Surgery | $619,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) | $337,000 |
| Pediatrics | $251,000 |
| Public Health & Preventive Medicine | $249,000 |
While not as high as some specialties, an OB-GYN can still provide a nice life during their career and save for retirement without feeling like they’re missing out—if they manage their money well. If you’re a medical student considering obstetrics and gynecology as a specialty or a current physician looking to switch career paths, the following information can be helpful in knowing what to expect.
Income Trends and Growth
Is OB-GYN Doctors’ Income Rising? OB-GYN’s average compensation in 2023 increased by only $1,000 from 2022, leading to what amounts to a 0% increase. That's in contrast to when the average income increased 8% from 2021 to 2022. Overall, OB-GYN’s income increased, but that wasn’t the case for all specialties, according to Medscape. The biggest declines came in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Nephrology, Allergy & Immunology, Emergency Medicine, and Ophthalmology.
Incentive Bonuses for OB-GYNs
Overall, 57% of surveyed physicians have an incentive bonus arrangement, according to the Medscape report. OB-GYN doctors specifically reported an average incentive bonus of $57,000, higher than in 2022 ($49,000). OB-GYN’s average incentive bonus was about average among the surveyed medical specialties. In comparison, Orthopedics reported six-figure average incentive bonuses, while Pediatrics checked in with the lowest bonuses at $31,000.
Physicians shared how their compensation fared, how they supplement their income, and their feelings about being a doctor. Although OB-GYN’s average salary falls near the middle of physicians’ average annual income, that $337,000 salary is much more than the average US worker earns.