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. 1988 Winter;10(2):17–24.

Table 8. Median net income of physicians, by source of data and specialty: United States, 1983.

Specialty National Physicians' Practice Costs and Income Survey Medical Economics1 American Medical Association
General practice $65,000 $68,130 1$63,000
Family practice 65,000 76,200 163,000
Internal medicine 85,000 83,450 80,000
Cardiovascular specialties 110,000 NA NA
Pediatrics 75,000 74,060 61,500
Other internal medicine 95,000 NA NA
General surgery 110,000 105,500 NA
Orthopedic surgery 130,000 142,320 NA
Ophthalmology 110,000 112,500 NA
Urology 110,000 NA NA
Obstetrics-gynecology 110,000 109,170 107,000
Other surgery 110,000 NA NA
Psychiatry 75,000 NA 72,000
1

In this survey, net income is defined as follows. For unincorporated physicians, it is individual income from practice minus tax-deductible professional expenses before income taxes. For incorporated physicians, it is total compensation from practice (salary, any bonuses, and corporate funds set aside for retirement) before income taxes.

2

Includes both family and general practice.

NOTES: National Physicians' Practice Costs and Income Survey data are for 1983-84. NA is not available.

SOURCES: National Physicians' Practice Costs and Income Survey data: Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Research and Demonstrations, 1983-84. Medical Economics data: (Owens, 1984). American Medical Association data: (American Medical Association, 1984).