Female physicians earn just 78 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts, according to data released March 26 by Marit Health.
Here are five other takeaways from the report:
1. The pay gap between male and female physicians is wider than most other professions in the U.S. Specialty choice is the single biggest factor driving the pay disparity, according to Marit.
2. But even once adjusted for specialty, hours, experience, location and practice setting, there is still an “unexplained” 7% gap.
3. Over a 30-year career, this gap adds up to roughly $907,000 in lost earnings.
4. Women are underrepresented in the highest-paid specialties: neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology and radiology. They are over-represented in lower paying ones: family medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN and endocrinology.
5. Employer type also played a significant role in determining pay. Women are more likely to work in academic and public-sector roles, which are typically lower-paying. They were also less likely to earn ownership income that can significantly boost compensation. Women are more likely to choose employers with parental leave benefits, which in turn may correlate to lower earnings.
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