Are physicians overpaid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There is an extremely wide variation in salaries for physicians and related activities, just like in any other profession. I do believe the highest salaries are ridiculous - for anesthesiologists and cosmetic surgery, it can reach more than half a million. Pediatricians, on the other hand, earn on average 150K.

So generalizations like yours merely serve to stir the pot, as you intended.

Average $150k for pediatricians? Not around here for any pediatrician who takes insurance. I've been in practice for 10 years and I'm only at $125 and I work my tail off (nights, weekends). My friends in government jobs make a lot more and are always shocked when they learn my salary.

Most docs we know get this up to $200,000. Not overpaid given what medical school and continuing education requires. Reasonable. Most we know will not go into private practice any more due to insurance (my sister will not) as by the time you pay it and overhead, its very hard to make a living.

[Anonymous]

Given that the average physician today will incur about $300K in costs pertaining to medical school and will likely not be board certified until his/her early thirties which is when they will start making any serious money - which may be around $150K for several specialties - I can't see that anyone can say that they are overpaid considering the amount of studying and the cost of medical school.

[Anonymous]

SESers are overpaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that the average physician today will incur about $300K in costs pertaining to medical school and will likely not be board certified until his/her early thirties which is when they will start making any serious money - which may be around $150K for several specialties - I can't see that anyone can say that they are overpaid considering the amount of studying and the cost of medical school.

i think it would be better for society if the costs to train a doctor were spread out and less incurred by said physician, but compensation also dropped to match (a la germany).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that the average physician today will incur about $300K in costs pertaining to medical school and will likely not be board certified until his/her early thirties which is when they will start making any serious money - which may be around $150K for several specialties - I can't see that anyone can say that they are overpaid considering the amount of studying and the cost of medical school.

i think it would be better for society if the costs to train a doctor were spread out and less incurred by said physician, but compensation also dropped to match (a la germany).

1) is not a physician
2) is socialist

Thanks for playing!