What Is the Average Ob Gyn Salary?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of May 2008, the median annual salary in the United States for an OB/Gyn is $199,350. The average annual salary for an OB/Gyn who practices in a specialty hospital is just under $202,000.
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Career Objective
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Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/Gyns) are doctors who specialize in women's health. Like all physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists focus on the prevention and treatment of medical disorders, but these specialized physicians focus on health matters specific to a woman's anatomy. These include health issues relating to the urinary tract, detection of breast and cervical cancers, conditions of the pelvis, as well as hormone imbalances and reproductive disorders. OB/Gyns also are specialists in childbirth and provide complete prenatal care for mother and fetus, as well as delivery of the baby and postpartum care of the mother.
Work Enviornment
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Many OB/Gyns work in small private clinics or offices. Their work space is generally clean and well lit, and when they are performing surgeries, they must wear sterile clothing such as masks, gloves and gowns. Most physicians, regardless of specialty, work long irregular hours. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than a third of physicians worked more than 60 hours a week in 2006. Because OB/Gyns are responsible for delivering babies, they may often be called to the hospital at odd times, such as evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays.
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Education
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The education required to become a physician is among the most rigorous of any occupation. Most students complete four years of undergraduate course work, followed by four years of medical school and then three to eight years of residencies and internships, depending upon which specialty they will be practicing. Those who wish to become OB/Gyns must complete a residency under the supervision of an experienced OB/Gyn. Acceptance to medical school is competitive, and applicants must possess good grades, letters of recommendation, outstanding character and excellent leadership qualities.
Job Outlook
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According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for physicians should grow about 14 percent from 2006 to 2016. This is considered faster than average growth compared with all occupations. The growing and aging population will fuel the growth of the health care industry, and demand for new physicians should be very high. There is also a growing shortage of trained OB/Gyns, particularly in rural and low income areas. This will create excellent opportunities for physicians who choose to specialize in this area. This is partly due to escalating costs of malpractice insurance premiums for OB/Gyns, which is driving many physicians to choose other medical specialties.
Advancement
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Physicians can advance in the profession if they develop a reputation of excellence within their specialties and subspecialties. This can allow them to open their own private practices or to teach in universities and colleges. Some may also be promoted to managerial or supervisory positions within the clinic or hospital in which they practice.
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References
- Photo Credit doctor's office image by Joann Cooper from Fotolia.com
