What do Different Doctors Actually Earn?

Summary:

With a median wage of $239,200, physicians and surgeons enjoy a generous income in most specialties; however, the training is both long and arduous. Taking pre-college online courses is an excellent way to begin your future in medicine.

Key Points:

• Insights into the highest-earning specialty for teens looking for a future in medicine.
• Geographic location, specialty, and reputation of the institution play a key role.
• Surgical specialties top the list of highest earners, but the training is costly and arduous.
• Technology is evolving rapidly, so the best time to start exploring is while you’re in high school.
• Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, is your top resource for pre-college online learning with a host of courses in medicine.

Are you a high school student with a passion for medicine? Perhaps you’re from a family of physicians, and healthcare seems like a natural fit. Maybe it’s more about helping others. Or, is it the high income potential that's got your interest? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.” Let’s take a deeper dive.

We know that the path to becoming a physician is long and arduous. However, if income level is the most appealing aspect of a career in medicine, here is a look at the top specialties on the list, with average annual incomes and years of residency:

Specialty: Average Annual Income: Years of Residency:

• Neurosurgery $763,908 7 years
• Thoracic Surgery $521,432 7 - 8 years
• Orthopedic Surgery $378,250 5 years
• Plastic Surgery $356,489 6 years
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery $239,200 4 - 6 years

According to one source, physicians with the lowest earnings include those in specialties such as pediatrics and primary care. Here’s a brief glimpse:

Specialty: Average Annual Income: Years of Residency:

• Internal Medicine $245,450 3 - 4 years
• Rheumatology $290,000 3  years
• Family Medicine $281,000 3 years
• Endocrinology $269,005 3 years + 2 years
• Geriatrics $235,549 2-3 years

 Keep in mind that the average annual income will vary, depending on the geographic location, hospital ranking, and the physician’s reputation. Length of residency is only one measure of the time commitment; you still have at least 2 years of pre-med and 4 years of medical school to complete before applying for a residency. And some specialties require an additional year to 3 years of fellowship. You won’t reach peak earning capacity until you’re in your 30s or 40s.

If you are set on becoming a doctor, and compensation is important to you, be assured that you’ll be expected to hold up under all the rigors associated with your chosen specialty. According to one source, it pays to know the pros and cons when you’re weighing whether or not it’s worth it.

What Are the Pros of Being a Doctor?

The profession comes with significant advantages. One is having a profound impact on the lives of your patients. Doctors can improve patient well-being and enjoy a strong sense of community involvement. Plus, the medical field offers a wide array of specialties to choose from. 

What Are the Cons of Becoming a Doctor?

The path to your specialty is long, intensive, and expensive. You’ll have a minimum of 11 years of training, including undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency. This can result in a high debt load to pay off. You’ll work extended shifts with on-call duties, and a work schedule that often intrudes on family life. A high level of stress can lead to burnout and a decline in emotional well-being. 

Balancing the pros and the cons demands a genuine dedication to the medical profession and a strong support system.

Still think a future in medicine is for you? We can help.

When is The Right Time to Start Your Medical Education? 

High school is the ideal time to begin your journey into a career in medicine. This can include AP STEM courses, volunteering (LINK TO NOV B3), and pre-college online medical courses. There are several reasons why getting started in high school is the right decision. For one, technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it makes sense to stay ahead of the curve. For instance, robotic surgery will not replace surgeons, but rather serve as essential tools. Here’s the American College of Surgeons’ perspective on the subject:

“For surgeons, robotic surgery may help enhance performance and provide ergonomic benefits, such as enabling the surgeon to sit rather than stand during long procedures. For hospital systems, robotic surgery can reduce costs through shorter hospital stays and fewer complications, and it may help offset the strains of the hospital workforce shortage.”

Other reasons to start your medical journey while in high school:

• You’ll have a better chance of getting on the pre-med track in college if you show that you understand the fundamentals of medicine from your pre-college studies.
• Studying medicine online with a top university will look impressive on your high school transcript.
• Your pre-college medical studies can put you ahead of many when competing for admission to medical school.

But what types of pre-college online medical courses are available to you?

Explore Pre-College Online Programs from Top Universities and Colleges

Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, partners with some of the top colleges and universities in the nation. Here’s a look at what is offered in pre-med education for high school students.

Let’s review some of the courses that are ideal for pre-med discovery.

Rice University is one of the nation's leading research institutions and was recently named to the Ivy League (New Ivies). Medicine studies for teens is part of their Rice University Precollege Online Program. In Medicine, Diagnostics, and Patient Care, you’ll learn how doctors partner with other medical professionals to address the patient’s needs. You’ll study disorders of the heart, lungs, spinal cord, and endocrine system. You’ll study the basic science of each condition, how it is diagnosed, and the latest advances in treating these disorders.

The Harvard Medical School Pre-College HMX Program offers a course titled Physiology: Inside the Body’s Inner Workings, where you’ll explore the intricacies of the human body and learn the core principles of physiology. Study how organ systems function, adapt, and interact. From the mechanics of breathing to the intricacies of the cardiovascular system, you’ll gain valuable insights into the fascinating world of human physiology.

The Wake Forest University Pre-College Program offers a wealth of courses in medicine; everything from Making the Rounds; An Insider's Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Cancer: An Inside Look at Caring, Curing and Treating, to Sports Medicine, An Inside Look at Major Injuries and Treatments, and Women’s Medicine: An Inside Look at Treatment, Intervention and Surgery.

Finally, you’ll want to take a look at the Northwestern Pre-College Online Program, where you’ll find courses in medicine that include: Medical Research: Evaluating Claims and Facts, Medicine: The Journey to Saving Lives, and Physiology: Understanding the Body’s Systems.

These are just some of our offerings. Make sure to explore everything our partner schools have to offer here.

All Prelum partner schools feature a highly flexible format, with lessons delivered through dynamic videos. Study anywhere, anytime your schedule permits. And take advantage of course mentors who will answer your questions and guide your learning experience. Successful delivery of a final Capstone Project will earn you a Certificate of Completion from one of our top universities. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see if a future in medicine is right for you.

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 08/29/2025.