Statistics for Careers & Jobs in Medical Fields

Medical Career Statistics

There were about 583,000 physicians and surgeons in the U.S. in 2002.
Approximately 1 in 6 doctors is self-employed.
Almost 1 in 3 physicians worked over 60 hours per week in 2002.
Anesthesiologists have the highest average salaries: $306,964 in 2002. Other figures:

Most new physicians enter group practice or other salaried positions, such as in clinics, hospitals, or jobs with healthcare networks.
About half of salaried physicians and surgeons work in office practices, and a quarter are employed by hospitals.
Other places to work include government (at all levels), educational services, outpatient care centers, and clinics.
Demand for physician services fluctuates with such factors as health plan reimbursement, consumer preferences, and legislation.
Self-employed physicians (those that have their own practice) generally make more money than their salaried counterparts.