Core Insights - The average starting salary for physicians is $403,000, with orthopedic surgeons earning the highest at $576,000 and pediatricians the lowest at $258,000 [1][2][3] Salary Trends - Specialists, particularly orthopedic surgeons, gastroenterologists ($552,000), urologists ($521,000), radiologists ($500,000), and hematologists/oncologists ($490,000), command the highest starting salaries [2][3] - The average starting salary for otolaryngologists increased by 36% from $358,000 to $487,000, while cardiologists saw a 19% increase from $396,000 to $470,000, and hematologists/oncologists increased by 10% from $444,000 to $490,000 [4] Demand for Healthcare Professionals - There is a strong demand for specialists driven by the growing senior citizen population, leading to high starting salary offers [3] - The five specialties with the most demand are hematologists/oncologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists, although job prospects are abundant across all medical specialties [5][6] Nurse Practitioners (NPs) Salary Insights - The average starting salary for NPs is $180,000, reflecting a 9.6% increase from $164,000 in 2024 [5] Additional Compensation - Physicians are offered an average signing bonus of $38,315 (up 23% from $31,103), a relocation allowance of $12,619 (up 12% from $11,284), and a continuing medical education allowance of $4,073 (up 3% from $3,969) [6][7] - The combined average of signing bonuses, relocation, and CME allowances totals $58,854, in addition to the average starting salary of $403,000 [7] Report Overview - The data is based on a representative sample of 1,420 search engagements conducted by AMN Healthcare from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 [8]

Core Insights - The average time to schedule a physician appointment in 15 major metropolitan areas has increased by 19% since 2022 and by 48% since 2004, now averaging 31 days [1][2][3] Appointment Wait Times - The survey indicates that average wait times for various specialties are as follows: - Obstetrics/Gynecology: 42 days, up 33% since 2022 and up 79% since 2004 [9] - Gastroenterology: 40 days (newly added in 2025) [9] - Dermatology: 36.5 days, up 6% since 2022 and up 50% since 2004 [9] - Cardiology: 33 days, up 23% from 2022 and up 74% since 2004 [9] - Family Medicine: 23.5 days, up 14% since 2022 and up 16% since 2009 [9] - Orthopedic Surgery: 12 days, down 29% since 2022 and down 29% since 2004 [9] Geographic Variations - Boston has the longest average wait time at 65 days, while Atlanta has the shortest at 12 days [4] - Wait times can vary significantly by specialty and metropolitan area, with some appointments taking as long as 291 days for dermatology in Portland, Oregon [6] Physician Acceptance Rates - 82% of physicians in the surveyed metropolitan areas accept Medicare, with Boston having the highest acceptance rate at 94% and Atlanta the lowest at 68% [7] - Only 53% of physicians accept Medicaid, with Detroit having the highest acceptance at 85% and New York the lowest at 28% [7][8] Implications - The increasing wait times for physician appointments indicate a growing shortage of physicians in the U.S., particularly in densely populated areas [3][5]