Gastroenterologists saw a rise in their average annual salary, increasing by almost $15,000 from 2022 to 2023, according to Medscape’s 2024 Gastroenterologist Compensation Report. This growth reflects a steady upward trend in compensation for this specialty.
Average income for gastroenterologists
In 2023, gastroenterologists ranked 5th in average annual income among all surveyed specialties, reaching an average income of $515,000, up from $501,000 in 2022. This growth places gastroenterology as one of the higher-paying specialties, though it still lags behind fields like orthopedics and cardiology.
Average annual physician earnings by specialty
This is a nearly $15,000 pay increase from 2022’s average of $501,000. On average, gastroenterologists’ compensation rose almost 3% year over year, which aligns with the average salary growth rate for all physicians.
Potential pay is not a critical component in choosing gastroenterology
According to the 2024 report, 78% of gastroenterologists cited pay as a minor factor or no factor at all in their decision to enter the field. Only 3% noted pay as the main factor when picking gastroenterology as a specialty.
Medscape notes that residents were asked a similar question last year. This report indicates that half of the surveyed residents said potential earnings were extremely or very influential in their specialty decisions, suggesting that perspectives on pay evolve as physicians progress in their careers.
Gastroenterologists’ views on pay
In 2023, almost a third of gastroenterologists believed that U.S. physicians were paid fairly, and 65% felt most physicians were underpaid.
What gastroenterologists think about physician pay in the U.S.
A study from the University of Chicago and Associate Press noted that only 11% of surveyed Americans thought doctors were underpaid, highlighting the disparity in perception between the medical profession and the general public.
Most gastroenterologists remain dissatisfied with their pay despite their high average salaries. When asked about their compensation, 56% of gastroenterologists reported not feeling fairly compensated for the work they do, according to Medscape. Gastroenterologists are not alone in this perspective, however. Across all specialties, over half (51%) of physicians felt they were not fairly compensated.
Do gastroenterologists feel fairly paid, given their work demands?
Environmental factors like rising inflation, the increased cost of living, or pressures related to student debt likely contribute to physicians’ dissatisfaction.
Many gastroenterologists seek extra income through side work
While pay wasn’t a primary factor in deciding gastroenterologists’ specialty, they still sought outside work to supplement their income. One in three gastroenterologists said they take on extra work, slightly less than physicians across the board (35-38%). About 6% of gastroenterologists reported that they supplement with moonlighting. Physicians cited that these side gigs are becoming more necessary for extra income as opposed to simply passion projects.
Are gastroenterologists taking extra work to boost their income?
Moonlighting or locum tenens work is an attractive option for gastroenterologists who want to gain more control over their schedules while supplementing their income. This flexibility helps gastroenterologists achieve better work/life balance while enhancing their income.
Boost your earning power: How locums benefits your career — and your bottom line
Nearly half of gastroenterologists are happy with their pay
Regarding overall satisfaction with their compensation, 44% of gastroenterologists reported being happy with their current income, leaving over half feeling underpaid. Compared to physicians of other specialties, a higher percentage of gastroenterologists still feel underpaid, ranking them in the lower third of pay satisfaction for all 29 surveyed specialties.
Happiness with pay: Gastroenterology vs. six other specialties
Public health and preventative medicine physicians were among the happiest with their pay (65%), and infectious disease doctors were the least pleased with their pay (34%).
What gastroenterologists find most rewarding
Gastroenterologists find a lot to love about their jobs. High satisfaction is derived from the sense of being very good at their jobs — one-third of respondents enjoy finding answers and making diagnoses.
Patient interactions can be challenging at times, but the gratitude received and relationships built are a net positive for gastroenterologists. Thirty-two percent of survey respondents find these relationships to be rewarding overall. Knowing they are making the world better and good money are other joys found through work.
The most rewarding part of a gastroenterologist’s job
Challenges faced by gastroenterologists
Not every day is sunshine, easily removed ulcers, and patients with healthy guts. Gastroenterologists experience some frustrations on the job. In 2023, managing excessive rules and regulations frustrated 23% of respondents, edging out difficulties in getting fair reimbursements from insurers, including Medicare, as the chief concern.
Working long hours and dealing with difficult patients round out the top four parts of the job cited as the most challenging.
The most challenging part of a gastroenterologist’s job
For those looking to mitigate these job challenges, locum tenens is a great solution. Physicians who choose locum tenens enjoy greater control over their schedules, often allowing for a better work/life balance and avoiding some of the stressors that come with permanent positions.
Interested in how to transition locums? Successfully transition from staff position to locums work
For late-career gastroenterologists, many find that locum tenens is an attractive way to transition to retirement — a way to keep practicing but still take needed time off to decompress or focus on passions like volunteering and helping in underserved areas.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Robert Brenner says the high pay — and flexibility of his locum tenens lifestyle — makes staying in gastroenterology attractive after retirement. Working locum tenens has allowed him to maintain his skills and keep busy without a full-time commitment. “I decided I was looking to get back part-time again, so to be able to sign on the part-time physician in a locum capacity, and that worked out very well.”
Gastroenterologists are in high demand as locum tenens physicians. Give us a call at 954.343.3050 to learn more or view today’s locum tenens gastroenterologist job opportunities.
