People with the gastroenterologist salary are best described as doctors specialized in diagnosing and treating issues related to the digestive system. They mostly specialize in the stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder issues. Such issues include hepatitis, ulcers, some hernias, gastritis, heartburn, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, and even irritable bowel syndrome.
Since there are more than a few apparently banal conditions of the digestive system that can actually be very severe issues, it is mandatory for the gastroenterologist to quickly and very accurately diagnose their patients. Otherwise, they risk condemning them to a potentially fatal disease.
It is equally important for them to quickly recognize conditions that aren’t as severe as they appear. The patients mustn’t be exposed to any more stress than necessary, as stress can cause a number of gastroenterological issues all by itself. This is one of the reasons for the high education standards demanded by the position.
According to payscale.com, the gastroenterologist salary was reported at somewhere around $297,590 per year. The percentile gastroenterologist income is sorted in the table below:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $26.95 | $54.22 | More than $90 | More than $90 | More than $90 |
| Annual Wage | $56,050 | $112,780 | More than $187,199 | More than $187,199 | More than $187,199 |
Factors that Influence the Gastroenterologist Salary
The gastroenterologist salary, just like the salary of other medical specialists, is influenced by a wide array of factors. From the geographical location of the place of employment to the industry of the profession, the salary of a gastroenterologist can be influenced by any of a number of determinants.
In fact, these factors can cause the gastroenterologist salary to fluctuate by more than a few hundred thousand dollars. So, let’s see how much each of these factors can make their mark on the average salary of a gastroenterologist.
Geographic Area
Since every city has its own economy, as well as its own medical needs, it’s only natural for the gastroenterologist salary to shift. Even more so at a state level. So, since we have so much ground to cover, we won’t be looking at the gastroenterologist salary in other places but the United States. Canada, the UK, Australia, and others have different wage systems.
Below, you will find of series of tables documenting the states and the metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas with the highest levels and salaries for the profession.
The states with the highest levels of employment for individuals with the gastroenterologist salary are as follows:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| New York | 40,000 | 4.63 | 2.00 | $81.36 | $169,220 |
| California | 25,030 | 1.70 | 0.73 | $87.94 | $182,920 |
| Texas | 16,870 | 1.55 | 0.67 | $90.16 | $187,540 |
| Ohio | 14,730 | 2.87 | 1.24 | $88.21 | $183,480 |
| Illinois | 14,550 | 2.55 | 1.10 | $84.74 | $176,250 |
Meanwhile, the states offering the highest salaries for the occupation are:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Mississippi | 990 | 0.91 | 0.39 | $115.63 | $240,510 |
| South Dakota | 380 | 0.93 | 0.40 | $112.07 | $233,100 |
| Montana | 950 | 2.15 | 0.93 | $111.45 | $231,820 |
| Minnesota | 3,280 | 1.22 | 0.53 | $109.95 | $228,700 |
| Idaho | 640 | 1.04 | 0.45 | $109.40 | $227,550 |
Next, for those interested in more vaguely distributed information, we have also compiled tables of the metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas where you can get hired the easiest and where you can get the highest paycheck.
The metropolitan areas offering the highest levels of employment for gastroenterologists are as follows:
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| New York – White Plains – Wayne, NY – NJ Metropolitan Division | 26,060 | 4.97 | 2.15 | $75.71 | $157,480 |
| Chicago – Joliet – Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division | 10,160 | 2.75 | 1.19 | $78.03 | $162,300 |
| Los Angeles – Long Beach – Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 8,270 | 2.08 | 0.90 | $94.51 | $196,590 |
| Atlanta – Sandy Springs – Marietta, GA | 7,650 | 3.31 | 1.43 | $101.96 | $212,080 |
| Nassau – Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division | 6,650 | 5.38 | 2.32 | $98.13 | $204,110 |
| Boston – Cambridge – Quincy, MA NECTA Division | 6,580 | 3.76 | 1.62 | $66.26 | $137,820 |
| Bethesda – Rockville – Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division | 5,880 | 10.46 | 4.52 | $77.54 | $161,280 |
| Washington – Arlington – Alexandria, DC – VA – MD – WV Metropolitan Division | 5,340 | 2.25 | 0.97 | $81.95 | $170,450 |
| Houston – Sugar Land – Baytown, TX | 4,870 | 1.77 | 0.76 | $84.21 | $175,160 |
| Baltimore – Towson, MD | 4,730 | 3.70 | 1.60 | $76.60 | $159,330 |
The metropolitan areas with the highest salaries for people with the gastroenterologist job description are:
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Rochester – Dover, NH – ME | 160 | 2.93 | 1.27 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 40 | 0.75 | 0.32 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Wenatchee – East Wenatchee, WA | 170 | 4.43 | 1.91 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Wausau, WI | Not released | Not released | Not released | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Victoria, TX | 40 | 0.75 | 0.33 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Sumter, SC | 70 | 2.07 | 0.89 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| San Angelo, TX | 70 | 1.49 | 0.64 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 410 | 3.30 | 1.42 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Pocatello, ID | Not released | Not released | Not released | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Napa, CA | 80 | 1.16 | 0.50 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
Meanwhile, the nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for people with the gastroenterologist salary are the following:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | 510 | 2.68 | 1.16 | $104.34 | $217,020 |
| Northeast Florida nonmetropolitan area | 470 | 3.37 | 1.46 | $112.96 | $234,950 |
| South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 440 | 2.44 | 1.05 | $103.61 | $215,510 |
| Western New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | 430 | 6.96 | 3.00 | $107.47 | $223,530 |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | 400 | 2.17 | 0.94 | $110.08 | $228,970 |
Last, but certainly not least, the highest average gastroenterologist salary can be found in the following nonmetropolitan areas:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | 160 | 1.73 | 0.75 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Northern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | Not released | Not released | Not released | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | 100 | 0.94 | 0.41 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | 130 | 3.33 | 1.44 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
| Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 1.27 | 0.55 | More than $90 | More than $187,199 |
Experience
The level of experience does determine some things to change wage-wise when it comes to the gastroenterologist salary. But it doesn’t make as big an impact as the physical location of the place of employment. Nor even than the industry of the profession. Still, the level of influence is surprisingly low for a position in healthcare.
According to payscale.com, the starting gastroenterologist average salary is somewhere around $293,000. We have compiled a salary path over the course of one’s career. As long as that career is longer than twenty years, it should go as follows.
- From $293,000 to $311,000 after five to ten years on the job;
- Between $311,000 and $303,000 after ten to twenty years on the job;
- From $303,000 to $300,000 after more than twenty years of experience.
Please note that we didn’t take into account any extra sources of income when calculating the gastroenterologist salary path. This includes bonuses, overtimes, commissions, and profit sharing.
Industry
The industry in which the gastroenterologist chooses to practice their trade is the last major influence when it comes to determining their paycheck. Of course, someone working in a laboratory will have a lower paycheck than a pediatrician gastroenterologist. Similarly, the gastroenterologist salary will be different for someone teaching the craft than that of someone working for the government.
Those wishing to find the industries with the highest employment rates for individuals with the gastroenterologist salary can find the table below:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Physicians | 142,880 | 5.90 | $105.22 | $218,860 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 91,860 | 1.74 | $69.07 | $143,660 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 31,290 | 1.56 | $91.91 | $191,180 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 11,130 | 0.38 | $54.98 | $114,350 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 9,580 | 1.43 | $103.50 | $215,280 |
Finally, the highest gastroenterologist salary can be found in the following industries:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Dentists | 160 | 0.02 | $114.18 | $237,500 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 5,090 | 2.09 | $110.39 | $229,610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 630 | 0.03 | $107.08 | $222,730 |
| Offices of Physicians | 142,880 | 5.90 | $105.22 | $218,860 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | Not released | Not released | $104.18 | $216,700 |
Work Hours
Most individuals with the gastroenterologist salary tend to work 50-hour work weeks. These are usually divided between the office, clinics, and endoscopy units. However, some gastroenterologists report 65 to 70 hours a week. The remaining twenty hours usually consist of non-patient care work performed at home.
Meanwhile, overtimes are rarely a thing for anyone in the profession. Overtimes are a thing of the past for the medical specialty. However, most gastroenterologists do go on call at least twice a week. They get about five or six hours of sleep every night, and four vacations a year. So, the gastroenterologist salary is on par with the work schedule.
Bonuses and Benefits Packages
When it comes to the gastroenterologist salary, bonuses and profit sharing are top-notch. In fact, bonuses can be anywhere between $0 and $80,000 a year. Profit sharing, meanwhile, can elevate the gastroenterologist salary by another $32,500 a year. This would another $100,000 to the paycheck.
As for the benefits packages which come with the gastroenterologist salary, there are several of these. First, we have a highly satisfactory 401(K) plan, as well as a decent number off paid and sick leave days. Next, we have the insurance. Other than the malpractice insurance, about 86% receive medical, 61% get dental, and 45% get vision. Meanwhile, 14% receive no insurance whatsoever.
Job Outlook
The employment rate for the profession is estimated to go up 18% by 2024. People in the occupation owe that to several factors, both intrinsically and extrinsically tied to the profession. One reason would be the constant increase of the elderly population. This keeps the request rate for the occupation quite high.
Another reason would be the recent developments scientists have been making in the field of medicine. These have been tying the general health outlook to causes related to the gastrointestinal system. More and more people are willing to go the extra mile and see a gastroenterologist. As long as that means that they get to live healthier lives, people will do anything.
Like with most medical specialty jobs in healthcare, the gastroenterologist salary is one of the highest and most sought-after in the industry. However, the high education standards and long time spent in medical school may turn many away from the occupation.
All of the tables in this article about the gastroenterologist salary in the United States were courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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