ObGyns’ choice of practice environment is a big deal
Location, location, location
Specific areas of the country are more attractive for their higher compensation rates. The highest average compensation was reported by ObGyns in the North Central area ($339,000), West ($301,000), and Great Lakes ($297,000) regions, while the lowest compensation rates were found in the Northwest ($260,000), Southwest ($268,000), and South Central ($275,000) areas.3
Key factors, such as healthy patient populations, higher rates of health insurance coverage, and lower stress levels attract physicians (FIGURE 4). Minnesota ranked the #1 best place to practice because it has the 4th healthiest population, 2nd highest rate of employer-sponsored health insurance, the 17th lowest number of malpractice lawsuits, and a medical board that is the 3rd least harsh in the nation.12 Unfortunate situations such as the highest malpractice rates per capita, least healthy population, 8th lowest rate of employer-sponsored health insurance, and the 9th lowest compensation rate for physicians make Louisiana the worst place to practice in 2017.12
Supply and demand creates substantial geographic imbalances in the number of ObGyns in the United States. ACOG pro-jects that the need for ObGyns will increase nationally by 6% in the next 10 years, although demand will vary geographically from a 27% increase in Nevada to an 11% decrease in West Virginia.1 Especially vulnerable states (Arizona, Washington, Utah, Idaho) currently have an insufficient supply of ObGyns and are projected to see an increased future demand. Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Nevada will be at risk, according to ACOG, because the adult female population is expected to increase.1
2017 Medscape survey demographics
The Medscape Compensation Report 2017 is a based on the responses of 19,270 physicians across 27+ specialties, 5% of whom were ObGyns. Data were collected in an online survey conducted from December 20, 2016, to March 7, 2017.3
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