According to consistent national physician compensation surveys, the lowest paid doctors are typically those in primary care and specific public health specialities. Pediatricians and Family Medicine physicians often report the lowest average annual salaries among fully trained, board-certified physicians. Additionally, doctors specializing in Preventive Medicine or working in exclusive academic or research roles may also be counted among the lowest paid.
Key factors contributing to this status as the lowest paid doctor include:
- Reimbursement Structure: Primary care is heavily based on office-visit codes, which reimburse less than procedural or surgical codes used by higher-earning specialities.
- Patient Demographics: Pediatrics, in particular, involves a high volume of well-patient visits and lower-intensity chronic care management, which impacts revenue generation.
- Practice Setting: Many of the lowest paid doctors choose to work in public health, government, or non-profit community health centers, where salaries are lower but align with mission-driven work.
It is crucial to contextualize this information. While these physicians are the lowest paid relative to their peers, their earnings still place them in a high income bracket nationally. The designation of the lowest paid doctor reflects systemic reimbursement disparities within healthcare, not a lack of value or expertise. Many physicians in these fields prioritize lifestyle, continuity of care, and population health over maximal earnings.