Are doctors really that poor?

Question

Seriously, I keep hearing that they make barely enough money to pay the bills, have such a hard work etc

but why? don't they get paid more than 80% of americans and have interesting job(well if they chose study for 10-14 years, they should like what they do?!)

Answer 1

I think 80% is an understatement.  Universities have to offer professors who hold medical degrees more than their colleagues, just to be competitive.

Answer 2

I agree with Bruce. Where are you getting your information? Physicians are the second or third (depending on which report you cite) highest average earners in the nation. Only CEOs and professional football players (not always counted in surveys) have the income advantage.

It's true, residents and interns get paid poorly. But then the jump is significant. I don't know any doctors who are struggling -- even pediatricians and vets. Nurses can make over $100,000 and they aren't liable -- or a liability -- for nearly the same amount as doctors. With that responsibility comes a bigger paycheck.

Answer 3

I think their biggest problem is the cost of malpractice insurance.  I'm an optician, and the doctor I work with has to pay a fortune.  Premiums just keep going up, even though he has never been sued in 20 years of practice.

Check out the articl on cbs (listed below) for more info.

Answer 4

I don't know where you get this information.

Doctors struggle when they are right out of med. school.  Being a resident doesn't pay very well.  However, they are still learning.  An attending can make anywhere from $100,000/ year to millions, depending on where they practice and what their specialty is.

Answer 5

Lol I dont know where you got that one from. Honestly

Actually doctors do pretty well but they work hard for that. The highest specialities are radiology and anesthesiology so be an Anesthesiologist or Radiologist.

Answer 6

We make comfortable incomes. Young physicians often have huge debts to repay, and those beginning solo practices (a rarity these days) may risk bankruptcy when they haven't yet established their practices, but those are special circumstances. We do get our dander up, though, when people begin to talk about how well we're paid when they're trying not to pay. There is no outside pot of money from which we draw a paycheck. Our income is a part of what we collect from our patients, and our overhead expenses are often high. Remember, a doctor in his office has to pay the rent, the light bills, and the salaries of his staff, along with all the rest, and it all comes from fees collected from patients, before he pays himself.