Sunday, October 30, 2011

The Average Oncologist Salary For An Anything But Average Occupation

By Cory Walsh


Advancements in cancer research strive for cures. Oncology defines that specialized area of medicine related to cancer. The specialists that diagnose and treat cancer patients are oncologists. As research continues to look for cures for this devastating disease, the specialists that manage malignant illnesses meet the demands of efficaciously treating patients through ongoing education. Extensive training is a constant in the ever-evolving technology that brings new surgical techniques, pharmacology and innovative treatments that sustain patients waiting for cures. The oncologist salary serves to compensate the difficulties in managing this complex disease.

Oncology, a complex, evolving and demanding branch of medicine, is served with sub-specialties within the field that are primarily divided by treatments. Oncologists may specialize in radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, interventional oncology/interventional radiologists, gynecologic or pediatric oncology. The earnings of an cancer specialist depends on experience, specialty and academia.

The due diligence demanded by the stringent qualifiers to attain the title M. D, . Make this noble profession the antithesis of any get-rich-quick scheme. Sub-specialists, in addition to medical school, must complete the educational requirements of a 3 to 7-year residency program, followed by a fellowship. The fellowship program satisfies the one to four year specialty qualifications for expertise in the specific cancer sub-specialty of choice. The intensive training and extensive educational requirements stateside, for an oncology sub-specialty physician, accrues exorbitant expense to the tune of debts often approaching $300,000.

There is a wide variance in annual earnings for beginning specialists, anywhere from $56,000 to beyond $220,000. Experienced physicians that have practiced a minimum of ten-years and treat a large number of patients, earn the highest incomes, which can exceed $310,000 yearly. The average annual income for a cancer specialist with four-years experience practicing in the United States is $240,000.

Location has little bearing as a determinant of salary for oncologists. The median average throughout the states is between $100,000 and $200,000. Atlanta leads with the highest average earnings $130,000 to $300,000, while the Midwest is at the low end of $46,000 to slightly over $200,000.

Oncologists in private group practices, medical universities or at non-profit facilities earn the highest yearly compensation ranging from $150,000 upwards of $300,000. An individual physician in private practice generally earns from $60,000 to $250,000 annually.

Sex discrimination does not enter into the picture regarding earnings in oncology. Females tend to receive higher earnings per annum at $153,000 on the low-average salary scale, while their male counterparts generally receive $151,000. The scale tips at the high-average rate of pay, with male oncologists earning $277,000, while female physicians earn $262,000 on that scale yearly.

Benefits for cancer specialists, aside from annual earnings, are three to four weeks vacation allotment every year. Cash bonuses are sponsored through medicare programs, insurance companies and pay-for-performance incentives that reward physicians for participation in health care that strives to provide optimal care of diseases and in preventative healthcare. These bonuses can average between $10,000 to $23,000 per year that serves to enhance the oncologist salary through motivational incentive. Profit sharing enhances income by $10,000 annually for practitioners with five or more years experience.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment