Orthopedic surgeons really the tops

I wrote an article a couple weeks ago that pediatricians were the highest paid profession in the Wichita area, according to a state wage survey, with one caveat: some occupations, including surgeons aren’t listed in the survey.

Well, I got an angry email from one pediatric practice saying pediatricians are among the lowest paid doctors and they objected that they were being cast in a negative light. They sent me a list of doctor pay, as proof.

The story was accurate as far as it goes, but it was incomplete. According to this list of 2010 national median wages in Group Practice Journal, pediatricians are, indeed, among the lowest paid (although still well compensated). Here is the list:

1. Orthopedic surgeon, $500,672

2. Radiologist, $478,000

3. Urologist, $413,941

4. Gastroenterologist, $405,000

5. Cardiologist, $402,000

6. Dermatologist, $375,176

7. Anesthesiologist, $370,500

8. Otolaryngologist, $368,777

9. General surgeon, $357,091

10. Opthamologist, $343,945

11. Emergency medicine, $268,787

12. Neurologist, $236,500

13. Rheumatologic Disease, $224,000

14. Endocrinologist, $218,855

15. Hospitalist, $215,716

16. Internal Medicine, $214,307

17. Pediatrician, $209,873

18. Family Medicine, $208,851