Enviable Positions
The financial picture is a cheerful one
for physicians.
Compensation rose in 2005 by 3.5 to 12
percent according to
a survey of members of the American
Medical Group Association (AMGA).
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Compensation is up for physicians in every
specialty, according to the American Medical Group
Association’s 2006 Medical Group Compensation and
Financial Survey. In 2005, primary care specialties continued
their compensation climbs of 2004 with average increases of 8
percent, as specialists experienced increases of 5 to 6 percent
over 2004.
Over the last three years, dermatologists
have garnered the largest percentage increases, earning 12
percent more in 2005 than 2004, and 38.7 percent more in 2005
than 2002. Pathologists (28.36%), non-interventional diagnostic
radiologists (26.98%), gastroenterologists (26.78%), and
pediatricians (26.72%) followed dermatologists for the highest
increases over three years. Family physicians, internists, and
pediatricians received between 19.7 and 26.7 percent increases.
Finally, the survey revealed that starting
salaries for experienced physicians are somewhat higher than
starting salaries for new physicians. In most specialties,
experience does have its advantages.
The AMGA mailed the survey to more than
2,600 medical groups across the country and received valid
responses from 218 groups, representing about 35,000
physicians.
To purchase the complete survey, go to www.amga.org or contact Stefan Rozga at 703-838-0033, ext.
326 or srozga@amga.org.
