Nephrologists saw the lowest annual salary increase in the last 10 years — a bump of only $49,000 — while the pay for plastic surgeons increased by more than $300,000, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report" for 2013 and 2023.
Nephrologists earned an average of $263,000 in 2013. In 2023, that figure increased to $312,000, or 19%. This was the lowest 10-year salary increase among 25 specialties.
Plastic surgeons earned an average of $317,000 in 2013. In 2023, that figure grew to $619,000 — an increase of 95% — making it the specialty with the highest pay increase in the last decade.