Doctors still feel rewarded by treating patients despite widespread burnout and a growing number would not choose medicine if they had a “do-over,” according to Medscape’s sixth annual Physician Compensation Report. Additionally, physician responses show that earnings aren't the most rewarding aspect of their profession; caring for patients and being a good doctor are more important. 

Physicians were asked to provide their annual compensation for patient care. The top three earners this year are orthopedists at $443,000, cardiologists at $410,000, and dermatologists at $381,000. Orthopedists and cardiologists were numbers one and two last year as well at $421,000 and $376,000, respectively.

This year, the lowest earners are pediatricians at $204,000, endocrinologists at $206,000, and family physicians at $207,000. Those specialties were in the bottom three last year as well.

Most specialties saw an increase in pay last year of between 4% and 12%. Two specialties, allergy/immunology and pulmonology, saw compensation drop, down 11% and 5%, respectively.

This year, the highest earnings were reported in the North Central region at $296,000 and Southeast region at $287,000, while the lowest were in the Northeast at $266,000 and Mid-Atlantic at $268,000.

Despite complaints over red tape, work requirements and changes in the healthcare field, 98% of respondents found gratification in being a physician and treating patients, according to the report.  About one-third of physicians, 34%, cited their relationships with patients and 32% cited being good at their job as the two most rewarding aspects of medicine.

“There is no denying that doctors today are facing burnout from immense pressures, with bureaucratic tasks and paperwork topping the list,” said Michael Smith, M.D., medical director and chief medical editor, WebMD. “Yet, the Compensation Report shows that they are fiercely committed to their professional calling. Moreover, it's those doctors with lower salaries, like primary care physicians, that are most likely to choose medicine again. Despite the pressures, doctors remain passionate about patient care.”

Medscape surveyed more than 19,000 physicians across 26 specialties.