An OBGYN salary may be part of what physicians like about this field, as it offers a good salary that compensates you well for your work.
This article provides average salaries for this type of primary care physician, with in-depth information that shows you how and why there is a range of salary considerations within this field.
Key Takeaways
- The median national salary for OB/GYNs is $354,885.
- Salaries range from $240,000 in the 10th percentile to $540,632 in the 90th percentile.
- Salaries vary by region, with West, South, and Midwest offering higher incomes.
- Washington and Colorado are the top-paying states for OB/GYNs, while Iowa and Mississippi are the lowest-paying states.
- Specialized skills and subspecialties can impact salary.
Table of Contents
Average OBGYN Salary
| Source | Salary |
| MGMA | $354,885 |
| Medscape | $337,000 |
| Payscale | $245,666 |
| Salary.com | $317,901 |
| ZipRecruiter | $261,631 |
| U.S. News and World Report | $239,200 |
| Indeed | $111,830 |
| Comparably | $169,368 |
Working as an OBGYN nets a median salary of $354,885 nationwide, according to a 2021 report on compensation and production by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
When we look at the median, we see that 50% of salaries fall below this number, and 50% sit above it.
MGMA data showed that within the country, these doctors had a salary range of $240,000 in the 10th percentile to $540,632 in the 90th percentile.
The salary of this specialty falls within the middle of the 2023 Medscape report.
This source lists the average OB/GYN salary as $337,000, with plastic surgery physicians making $619,000 at the top and public health and preventive medicine physicians making $249,000 per year at the bottom.
These numbers include bonus and profit-sharing contributions in addition to the base salary.
Various sources give differing average salaries for this occupation.
This is generally due to variations in research data, years studied, factors included in salary, and the like.
Related:The 2024 Physician Compensation Report
Factors That Affect OBGYN Salary
According to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2023, 73% of OB/GYN doctors say they would choose this same specialty if they did it again.
This number shows that a large portion in this field are satisfied with their profession, and you have the potential to be as well.
The following are the top factors that influence salary in this field.
Demand
The Medscape report shows that OB/GYN and other family medicine salaries have gone up by 8%.
In addition, by 2030, it’s anticipated that there will be more demand than supply for OB/GYNs, according to a National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.
This means there will be more people needing OB/GYNs than OB/GYNs in the role.
This dynamic could present an opportunity to gain a higher salary by being a type of doctor who is in demand.
In addition, this source explains that the Northeast region of the country has an adequate number of these physicians and is also expected to by 2030, while the other regions in the country have deficits and are expected to continue to have them.
This indicates the possibility of higher incomes in the West, South, and Midwest, which have more demand. The location data below support this.
Gender
You may find a difference in terms of gender as an OB/GYN physician.
Medscape shows that in primary care, which includes gynecology and obstetrics, women made $239,000 compared to men’s $286,000.
62% of women chose the OB/GYN specialty.
Total Compensation
Medscape gives $57,000 as the average incentive bonus for OB/GYN physicians, while Comparably says the average bonus for this role is around $21,000.
Payscale says the bonus for these professionals has gone up to $81,000 and that profit sharing has been reported to be as much as $178,000.
Salary.com shows that the total compensation can increase to $457,482 from a base salary of $331,201 when you factor in a bonus and the value of benefits.
This site even gives a bonus on the lower end, at $13,610, so the potential could be greater based on the higher bonuses listed on other sites.
Experience Level
Payscale shows that as an entry-level OB/GYN, you could expect to make 12% less than the average salary. Then, in your early career, you would make 9% less.
Those in their late career make 16% more, while experienced OB/GYNs make 21% more.
Work Location
The area where you live and the type of practice generally make a difference in terms of your salary. Here are some of the top-paying states:
| State | Average Salary |
| Washington | $307,711 |
| Colorado | $305,207 |
| Delaware | $285,767 |
| Illinois | $283,117 |
| New York | $281,407 |
| Virginia | $281,169 |
| Maryland | $276,641 |
| Vermont | $275,264 |
| Nebraska | $270,402 |
| Missouri | $269,606 |
On the other hand, here are the lowest-paying ones:
| State | Average Salary |
| Iowa | $232,980 |
| Mississippi | $232,661 |
| Alabama | $231,452 |
| Tennessee | $226,540 |
| Utah | $226,510 |
| Kansas | $219,059 |
| Georgia | $215,616 |
| Louisiana | $213,024 |
| West Virginia | $199,081 |
| Florida | $190,821 |
Skills
Focused skills within this physician specialty may impact the overall salary. Payscale lists the varying salaries by skill like this:
- Gynecology: $249,912
- Surgery: $233,133
- Labor and Delivery: $236,900
- Obstetrics/Gynecology: $242,134
- Obstetrics: $221,931
Salary Based on Subspecialty
You can also expect any subspecialty to impact your salary.
For example, you can compare the following subspecialties to the average OBGYN salary given on the respective site:
| Source | Subspecialty | Average Salary |
| Physicians Thrive | Maternal and fetal medicine physicians | $268,700 |
| Salary.com | Gynecological Oncologist | $361,734 |
| Physicians Thrive | Urogynecologist | $375,704 |
| Physicians Thrive | Reproductive Endocrinologist | $461,997 |
Average Loan Debt for OBGYN Physicians
Student Loan Planner covers student loan debt for OB/GYN physicians.
It is similar to other types of physicians, as the debt incurred happens during medical school while specializing and then happens during paid residencies and fellowships.
This source notes that 24% of medical school students have more than $300,000 in student loan debt, 52% have more than $200,000, and 60% have more than $150,000.
Once you become an OB/GYN, you must pay off this student loan debt over time using your salary.
This takes up a portion of your salary, yet it also provides a way to maximize your salary.
This is true because if you can reduce the interest on your debt, you’re able to spend less money on debt and utilize more of your salary.
We offer special discount rates for physicians to refinance their student debt. Check to see if you can save.
Read More:The Full Breakdown to Medical School Student Loans
Other Things to Consider
The amount of money you make is not the only thing OB/GYNs should consider when planning their financial future.
Here are some other aspects to look at:
Negotiate a Good OB/GYN Salary
Negotiations are essential for good salaries because they help you command a good base salary that reflects your appropriate experience and skills.
You should be negotiating at the beginning of your career and when anything changes, such as added skills or increased experience.
To negotiate well, you should have an educated understanding of salaries within the field and how they vary by factors like experience level, skills, and training.
You should expect to be fairly compensated according to these factors rather than demanding a higher income than fits your current situation.
Many people find negotiating challenging, and it makes sense to hire a professional to review and negotiate your contract, ensuring you’re making as much as you can.
Contact us to start a contract review.
Secure Your OB/GYN Salary With Malpractice Insurance
Once you’re making a good salary as an OB/GYN physician, it’s important to protect it.
One way to do this is to have malpractice insurance and make sure you have enough coverage.
In general, your state or employer will require this type of insurance.
Nonetheless, you should check on your type of coverage and coverage limits, as it protects you in case an injury or death happens from your gynecology or obstetrics care.
In addition, you can manage your salary, build wealth, and protect your assets with these steps:
- Proper retirement planning, whether it’s through an employer or not
- Tax planning to make the most of your income
- Working with a financial planner on the best investments and money management
- Protecting your income by having disability insurance in case anything happens to you
Get Disability Insurance
Negotiating and managing your income well helps you have the highest salary, but now you need to protect it.
The best way to protect your OBGYN salary is through disability insurance.
If something happens that impacts your ability to carry out your work in gynecology and obstetrics, disability insurance can compensate you so you continue to earn.
Yet, not all policies are created equal and it is important that you don’t simply rely on a group plan from your employer.
Group insurance requires you to be disabled and incapable of working in any occupation to receive full benefits.
It will also limit the amount of benefits available.
In contrast, individual plans with a true own-occupation definition of disability will pay full benefits even if you are able to work in another occupation, such as consulting, teaching, research, or administration.
By planning ahead with an own-occupation disability insurance policy, you protect your salary and assets. Get your free disability quote quickly and easily.
Final Thoughts
Your potential earnings as an OB/GYN vary greatly depending on multiple factors, but no matter your situation, you are still looking for a potentially high-paying career.
Contant Physicians Thrive today for more help in planning a healthy financial future.
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