There are now over 207,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students

Driven by continuous expansion and a growing demand for whole-person care, the osteopathic medical profession is thriving. The latest Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) Report highlights consistent growth since 1874, with the number of DOs in the U.S. now exceeding 167,000, a remarkable 1,721% increase since the AOA began keeping records in 1935.

Nearly 40,000 students are pursuing osteopathic medical education at 44 colleges of osteopathic medicine across 71 campuses. The total number of DOs and osteopathic medical students is 207,158, a record high. Today, osteopathic physicians represent approximately 11% of physicians and more than 25% of medical students in the U.S.

Each year, the AOA produces the OMP Report to track expansion and growth within the osteopathic medical profession, as well as to examine demographics and trends related to DOs and osteopathic medical students. Below are some of the report’s highlights.

Commitment to primary care

In 2025, 53% of osteopathic candidates matched into primary care residency programs, demonstrating the profession’s enduring commitment to primary care. These physicians, and those who will join the workforce in the coming years, will be vital in addressing the shortage of up to 86,000 U.S. physicians by 2036, as projected by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Although the osteopathic medical profession has strong roots in primary care, more DOs than ever before are now pursuing non-primary care specialties. Top non-primary care specialties for DOs in 2025 include emergency medicine (10%), anesthesiology (4%), OB-GYN (4%), psychiatry (4%) and general surgery (4%). Approximately 45% of DOs practice non-primary care specialties, reflecting a 1% growth over the past decade.

The OMP Report also found that nearly 70% of DOs in active practice today are under the age of 45. Female osteopathic physicians account for 45% of all DOs in active practice, reflecting a continual rise in gender diversity within the profession. Additionally, women now make up more than 55% of all osteopathic medical students, an increase of 5% since 2024, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).

Where DOs practice

DOs practice in all 50 states across the U.S. Data shows that DOs tend to practice in or near communities where they completed their education and training. Because so many osteopathic medical schools are in medically underserved communities, DOs are more likely to practice in regions with limited access to care.

California, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York top the list of states with the most DOs, each exceeding 10,000. Rounding out the top 10 states with the most osteopathic physicians are Michigan, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, Illinois and Arizona.

For more information, read the entire OMP Report on Osteopathic.org.