Compensation Information                                      

How much will I be paid?

This question is probably at the top of your list when considering practice opportunities. When you're presented with a contract, here are some important things to know.

Physician Contracts

Most physician contracts allow for some negotiation, but are often established contracts used for other physicians in the practice or hospital. Therefore, to be fair to all, there may not be much room for compensation variance. Most hiring authorities offer contracts which are based on a salary, gross billings or net income arrangement. Nearly all physician income varies by the geographic region and market forces in those regions.

If you are working in a specialty that is in short supply, you may have a little more room to negotiate the contract. Generally though, you can expect that your compensation will be based upon not only your training and experience, but what other physicians in your specialty (and region) are earning. It is always wise to consult an expert in the field, whether it is another physician, an attorney or an accountant, to be certain you understand the terms of your contract.

Do Your Research

In order to get a realistic picture of the compensation in your specialty, we recommend you research physician compensation surveys published by medical practice associations and consulting firms. Industry journals and newspapers often report the results of surveys. See links to the right.