Since 1987, physicians’ income growth has been exceeded by other health care professionals, according to an analysis of survey data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data from the Current Population Survey show that adjusted annual income for physicians rose 9.6% from 1987-1990 to 2006-2010, compared with increases of 54% for physician assistants, 44% for pharmacists, and 24% for registered nurses, said Seth A. Seabury, Ph.D., of the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif., and his associates.
Since the 2001-2005 survey, median annual earnings for physicians have declined from $167,478 to $157,751, they reported.
The sample for this study was 30,556 respondents who identified themselves as health professionals, including 6,258 physicians. The analysis was limited to workers older than 35 years of age.