With the right skills and training, gynecology, or the study and treatment of the female reproductive system and women’s health care requirements, can provide very profitable prospects. To practice, advanced research and on-the-job learning criteria must be satisfied, as with any medical specialty.
In this article, we’ll look at what it takes to become a gynecologist (GYN), how much the average person can anticipate making in this capacity compared to other medical roles, and the career prospects for this post.
Who is an OBGYN?
An OBGYN is a gynecologist specializing in treating female reproductive system problems, abnormalities, and illnesses. Because reproductive health is intimately linked to overall health, many gynecologists also serve as primary-care physicians for women. Some simply practice gynecology, while others mix it with obstetrics, which is the care of women and infants during the reproductive process. Salaries for gynecologists and ob/gyns are in the middle of the physician pay scale.
Salary of a Gynecologist
Physicians can specialize as gynecologists or obstetricians, or they can combine both disciplines and be certified as OBGYNs. Most physician salary studies only include OBGYN wages. However, a handful do have gynecologists’ earnings separately. The specialized recruiting firm Profiles, which focuses on doctors starting out in practice, conducts one annually. According to its 2019 survey, gynecologists earn a median annual salary of $303,000. According to the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the typical yearly compensation for gynecologists is $236,010 annually.
Salary Comparison for Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The figures are more significant for individuals who practice both obstetrics and gynecology. According to the AMGA, OBGYNs earn a median salary of $302,638 per year, which is lower than that of gynecologists.
These are hefty earnings by most standards, although several other medical specialties pay their practitioners more. Anesthesiologists, for example, have typical earnings ranging from $295,343 to $416,000, according to PayScale.com. Dermatologists earn an average of $255,427 per year, whereas orthopedic surgeons earn an average of $381,075 to $597,00. The average compensation for gynecologists and OBGYNs was $224,474, comparable to that of many other primary care physicians.
Job Prospects for Gynecologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts physician demand will grow 7% between 2018 and 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. The baby boom generation will account for much of this growth as they age and require more medical care. Obstetricians will be uninterested, but gynecologists handle women of all ages and should profit. The massive “echo boom” of children born between 1982 and 1995 to baby boomers has entered their peak childbearing years. This will also increase demand for gynecologists and ob/gyns.
How does one go about becoming a gynecologist?
Academic study, hospital rotations, and a license are all required to become a gynecologist. The following are the stages to becoming one:
#1. Study
Any form of specialty practice necessitates more training beyond medical school, but being a GYN begins with solid grades in college. Following that, you take the MCAT, apply to medical schools, finish your core coursework, and graduate with a doctorate of medicine (MD). Afterward, you would use for and be accepted for a four-year residency program.
#2. Program of Residency
Applying for residency programs can be a difficult task. Check with the state where you intend to apply for residency. Specific residency programs require residents to take components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before entering the program, while specific state boards give licenses to residents.
During your four-year residency, you will:
- Finish the research and hands-on training.
- Long shifts are frequently worked at night, on weekends, and holidays.
- Make yourself available during on-call hours.
- Consider and apply for a three-year fellowship for more specialized training.
#3. Obtaining a License
Medical doctors must be licensed in the states in which they practice. After completing your residency, you will provide proof of education and residence or if your state requires residents to be licensed and then sit for the USMLE. The standards for each state differ, and you can get further information from the American Medical Association.
#4. Board Accreditation
Many gynecologists prefer to pursue board certification. Passing a written and oral exam in front of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) is required. In addition to OB/GYN or GYN certification, individuals can become board-certified in specialized areas of interest, such as reproductive endocrinology.
#5. Fellowship
Once board-certified, a physician can apply for a three-year fellowship at a teaching hospital. Those who select this route frequently desire to specialize or conduct extra research in a specific field. A fellowship is optional, but it is prestigious, and it can help a candidate stand out on a CV or in a private practice.
#6. Continue Your Education
Gynecologists must complete continuing education requirements to keep their licenses current. Specialty certifications necessitate additional educational requirements. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains an up-to-date list of prerequisites.
The Benefits of Becoming an OBGYN (Obestrician)
Obstetricians, often known as obstetrician-gynecologists or OB-GYNs, specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health. They usually earn a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in four years of medical school, followed by a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. They must also complete written and practical tests to meet state licensing standards.
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of being an OB-GYN, you’ll discover that group practice has made obstetricians’ schedules less demanding than in the past. Medical advancement has also boosted the numerous benefits of becoming an obstetrician.
#1. Protect Women’s Health
If you want to serve women, obstetrics is the perfect medical area for you. Obstetricians specialize in prenatal care and childbirth, but they also treat and diagnose other women’s illnesses, such as menopause, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. Their education covers pelvic and urinary infections, corrective pelvic surgery, and postpartum care. Obstetricians also perform prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
#2. Offer General Patient Care
Obstetricians can maintain close contact with their patients as primary healthcare doctors if they so desire. According to Beaumont, many women in the United States see their OB-GYNs as primary care physicians. This means that another of the OB-GYN benefits is that obstetricians’ general medical training qualifies them to administer all forms of primary preventative care, such as pap smears, mammograms, and vaccines.
#3. Positive Results As OB-GYN Advantages
When weighing obstetricians’ benefits and drawbacks, you’ll discover that assisting children enter the world may be a significant source of satisfaction for these specialists. Ultrasound, for example, helps doctors achieve far better results in childbirth for both women and kids.
Unlike other specialists, who frequently operate in emergencies, obstetricians do numerous surgeries on an elective basis, resulting in better outcomes. Modern pelvic surgery procedures have also improved so that an obstetrician can become an expert and serve patients more than ever.
#4. Obtain Board Certification
Obstetricians can achieve the professional recognition and respect that comes with board certification. To qualify for board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, obstetricians must pass written and oral exams in the specialty.
Obstetricians may pursue an additional three years of training in a subspecialty, such as maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, reproductive cancer, or pelvic medicine and surgery if they so wish. They must pass additional written and oral exams to be board-certified in the subspecialty.
#5. Earn a Good Living
Looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 average salaries, you can see that obstetricians are among the highest-paid healthcare vocations in the country. According to the BLS, the average obstetrician made $114.96 per hour in May 2020. This equated to a $239,120 annual salary for 52 weeks at 40 hours per week. Self-employed physicians are not included in government statistics.
6 Factors That Influence Your Earning Potential as an OB/GYN Nurse
We’ve discussed how potential OB nursing earnings can vary widely due to various circumstances. Let’s look at each issue affecting your OB/GYN nurse earnings.
#1. Location
Where you live and work is one of the most important factors influencing your OB/GYN nurse compensation.
The average OB/GYN nurse pay for registered nurses in California is $124,000, whereas it is $61,920 in Alabama. Large cities in high-cost-of-living areas are more likely to produce more excellent wages than rural healthcare companies.
If you’re considering relocating, analyze the typical cost of living in the area. California has the highest average OB/GYN RN nursing income but has a substantially higher cost of living than many other states.
#2. Expertise
If you had an option, would you rather have a nurse fresh out of nursing school or one who has been in the field for fifteen years?
Most of us would prefer an experienced nurse; healthcare businesses are no exception. Professional nurses frequently require less training and contribute to the team more quickly than newcomers, and employers are often ready to pay more for that experience.
As your career progresses, you can negotiate a more significant salary when moving to employment.
#3. Education and Certification
With a wide range of educational backgrounds, you can work as a nurse.
After completing a nursing program, you may sit for the exam to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), depending on your state.
With an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can take the NCLEX-RN to become an RN.
After getting your ARPN license, you can work as a nurse practitioner (NP) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP).
You will be eligible for new roles and raises as you obtain new licenses, but your education is also essential. Many businesses, for example, prefer or may even require RNs with BSNs, and these RNs earn more than those with only ADNs.
#4. Nursing Credentials
To work as an OB/GYN nurse, you simply need the proper licensing; many employers will not require you to acquire nursing qualifications in the OB/GYN specialty.
You can gain credentials to make yourself more appealing to employers and boost your earning potential. Some employers may also require specific certificates.
Many obstetric nurses may be required to get a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, such as the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
For some positions, more specialist credentials may be recommended or required, as well as actual work experience in the chosen expertise. Among these certifications are the following:
- The accreditation for Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®)
- Certification for Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
- Accreditation in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Certification in Ambulatory Women’s Health Care Nursing
#5. Facility Type
OB/GYN nurses can work in various settings, including physician offices, hospitals, birthing centers, and outpatient care centers.
Not only will the sort of institution where you work affect your hours and job responsibilities, but it will also affect your income.
RNs earn the following average salary based on facility type, according to the BLS:
- $73,860 per year in doctors’ offices
- In general medical and surgical facilities, the annual salary is $85,020.
- Outpatient care clinics cost $93,070.
#6. Job Description
What are your employment terms with the healthcare company where you intend to work?
Part-time employees need access to benefits that full-time employees do, which is a crucial wage issue.
Contract nurses, including PRN and travel nurses, do not receive benefits, yet they frequently earn more than staff nurses (and have far more flexibility). To make more money per hour, consider PRN or travel nursing.
How Much Does an OBGYN Make
According to Payscale’s compensation data, OB-GYN specialists in the United States make yearly salaries ranging from $116,350 to $269,726, including bonuses. According to Payscale, the base annual salary for an obstetrician-gynecologist ranges from $119,383 to $251,940, with bonuses of up to $38,541 every year.
OB-GYN physicians holding certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) typically earn between $120,894 and $270,659 annually.
#1. Average Salary
According to Payscale, the average yearly compensation for OB-GYN doctors working in the United States is $202,209, $252,003 according to compensation.com, $197,364 according to Jobstat, and $242,000 according to Medscape’s 2013 Obstetrician/Gynecologist Compensation Report.
According to Medscape’s compensation survey, 25% of these professionals earn $300,000 or more per year, while 10% earn $100,000 or less.
According to Medscape’s wage survey, men make 14% more than women: the median annual salary for male OB-GYNs is $253,000, while female OB-GYN specialists earn $221,000 on average.
The typical wage for this occupation is determined by geographical location, among other criteria, and varies significantly by state. The highest earnings are in the South Central region, where OB-GYNs make an average of $250,000 per year, followed by the Southeast, where the median annual compensation for this field is $236,000.
OB-GYN doctors in the North Central region earn approximately $227,000 per year; those in the Great Lakes region earn roughly $218,000 annually, while professionals in the West and North East earn about $213,000 annually. OB-GYNs in the Northwest make an average of $212,000 annually, while those in the Southwest earn an average of $196,000 annually. According to Medscape’s 2013 wage survey, the lowest salaries are in the Mid-Atlantic region, where OB-GYN physicians receive an average yearly compensation of $194,000 annually.
#2. Beginning Salary
According to Payscale, the beginning pay for OB-GYNs in their first year typically varies from $48,656 to $236,718 yearly.
#3. Salary Scale
According to Medscape’s 2013 income survey, 10% of OB-GYNs earn $100,000 or less annually, while 3% earn $500,000 or more. Most of these professions (20%) report yearly wages ranging from $200,000 to $250,000, with 19% earning between $250,000 and $300,000 annually.
On the higher end of the scale, 2% of OB-GYN physicians earn between $450,000 and $500,000 per year, 4% earn between $400,000 and $450,000 per year, 7% earn between $350,000 and $400,000 per year, and 9% earn between $300,000 and $350,000 per year.
On the low end of the scale, 7% of OB-GYN doctors are paid between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, with another 7% earning between $150,000 and $175,000 per year.
According to Medscape’s compensation survey, 12% of OB-GYNs make between $175,000 and $200,000 annually.
Several criteria, including years of experience, determine salaries for OB-GYNs. Professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience earn between $87,262 and $224,023 per year, while those with 5 to 9 years of experience earn between $122,941 and $246,780 per year. According to Payscale, OB-GYNs with 10 to 19 years of experience make an annual income ranging from $175,383 to $260,044, while those with 20 or more years of professional experience typically earn between $123,650 and $302,385 each year.
#4. Salary by State
Salaries for OB-GYNs might vary significantly from state to state. Professionals in California often earn between $43,278 and $233,997 per year, those in Texas typically earn between $49,022 and $293,614, while OB-GYNs in New York usually earn between $48,380 and $295,898 per year. Physicians in Illinois typically earn between $182,650 and $204,463, while those in Florida usually earn between $164,934 and $238,390 per year. According to Payscale’s pay estimates, OB-GYNs in Georgia earn between $101,367 and $236,718 per year, while Virginia’s earn between $157,228 and $210,000 yearly.
#5. Salary Ranges by City
The annual salary for OB-GYNs might also vary by city. Professionals in New York, for example, typically earn between $49,480 and $183,126 per year, while those in Los Angeles earn between $179,000 and $225,992 per year. According to Payscale’s compensation statistics, OB-GYNs in Atlanta earn between $162,135 and $205,579 per year, while those in Chicago earn between $193,463 and $212,500 yearly.
#6. Hourly Salary
According to Jobstat’s salary data, OB-GYNs in the United States make an average of $98.14 per hour. The highest documented hourly wage is $138.89, and the lowest is $47.52.
OB-GYNs often receive a wide range of perks in addition to their annual salaries and bonuses, and their benefits packages can occasionally reflect their yearly revenue. Professionals with 401(k) plans typically earn between $137,020 and $271,284 per year, those with malpractice and liability insurance earn between $133,821 and $264,774 per year, and OB-GYNs with paid vacation and holidays earn between $140,939 and $275,047 per year.
Professionals with life and disability insurance often earn between $160,797 and $284,114 per year, while those with paid sick leave typically earn between $150,000 and $278,794 per year. According to Payscale, OB-GYNs who receive mobile phones earn between $161,073 and $275,142 per year, while those who receive compensation for education, training, tuition, or certification earn between $126,709 and $295,898 per year.
Is it hard to be an OB GYN?
Obstetrics is a demanding profession that requires endurance and tenacity. An obstetrician, like any other medical profession, requires a lot of you physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
Why do Obgyns get paid so much?
Obstetrics, in particular, is the study of pregnancy and childbirth. Gynecology, on the other hand, is the study of the female reproductive system as a whole. Because of the complexities of this field, OB/GYN salaries are often high.
What is the highest-paid doctor?
Neurosurgeons are the highest-paid doctors, earning more than $780,000 per year on average.
What does an Obgyn do?
A doctor of obstetrics and gynecology is known as an OB/GYN. These specialists focus on pregnancy, childbirth, and the female reproductive system. An OB/GYN can monitor your and your baby’s health during your pregnancy, deliver your baby, and care for you afterward.
At what age should a girl go to OB-GYN?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls between 13 and 15 see a gynecologist for the first time. However, most females will not require a pelvic exam during their initial appointment.
What are the cons of being an Obgyn?
- Extended education and training
- Strict work hours and schedule
- Earning potential and student loan debt.
- High-stress environment
- Malpractice risk and insurance
- Changing technology and medical advances
- Heavy responsibility and the possibility of emotional strain.
Conclusion
The annual salary of an OB-GYN can also vary based on the size of the firm that employs them. OB-GYNs working for firms with 1 to 9 workers typically make between $116,350 and $249,054, while those working for organizations with 10 to 49 employees usually earn between $133,000 and $270,000 per year. According to Payscale, professionals working for organizations with 200 to 599 employees typically earn salaries ranging from $196,527 to $279,775 per year. In comparison, those working for organizations with 600 to 1,999 employees earn salaries ranging from $176,874 to $279,775 per year.
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