Workforce trends The top 10 highest paying medical specialties in 2019 Neurosurgery and thoracic surgery were the highest paying medical specialties in 2019, according to a new physician employment report from Doximity. Jan. 8, 2020Wednesday The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics Doximity reportphysician compensation Neurosurgery and thoracic surgery were the highest paying medical specialties in 2019, with average salaries north of $550,000, according to a new physician employment report from Doximity. Orthopedic surgery, radiation oncology and vascular surgery rounded out the top five. The report’s salary information comes from Doximity’s compensation survey, which roughly 70,000 full-time physicians who practiced at least 40 hours a week in 2018 and 2019 completed. The following are the top ten highest paid specialties in 2019 along with the average compensation for each, according to Doximity. Highest paying medical specialties in 2019 1. Neurosurgery; $616,823 2. Thoracic surgery; $584,287 3. Orthopedic surgery; $526,385 4. Radiation oncology; $486,089 5. Vascular surgery; $484,740 6. Dermatology; $455,255 7. Cardiology; $453,515 8. Plastic surgery; $433,060 9. Gastroenterology; $431,767 10. Radiology; $428,572 Read the full report here More in Profession Getting a secondary MD degree as a DO—is it possible, and what could be the harm? As DOs have been targeted by businesses offering to help them earn fast, affordable MD degrees, The DO talked with two attorneys who share insights about the legality of these programs, the risks of using them and why they don’t recommend them. DO Day CME now available on-demand Access DO Day content on-demand through June 20, 2026. Previous articlePhysician is No. 7 on the U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs 2020 list Next article5 habits for residents to develop during residency
Getting a secondary MD degree as a DO—is it possible, and what could be the harm? As DOs have been targeted by businesses offering to help them earn fast, affordable MD degrees, The DO talked with two attorneys who share insights about the legality of these programs, the risks of using them and why they don’t recommend them.