Here are five points on compensation for extremities specialists based on the Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
1. Hand surgeons received more on average. In 2010, hand surgeons on average received $79,400 more than foot and ankle surgeons. Hand surgeons received an average of $572,945 last year, while foot and ankle surgeons received $493,545. Foot and ankle surgeons received less on average than they did in 2009, when they received $518,463.
2. Both received more in a single specialty practice setting. Both hand and foot surgeons received more when they were in a single specialty practice versus a multispecialty practice. Hand surgeons received more in both settings than foot and ankle surgeons. In a single specialty practice, hand surgeons received $563,319, which is nearly $100,000 more than hand surgeons in a multispecialty group. Foot and ankle surgeons in a single specialty practice received considerably less than hand surgeons, at $481,233, which was still almost $60,000 more than foot and ankle surgeons in a multispecialty practice.
3. Disparity between compensation was smallest in a hospital setting. There was only a $5,878 difference between hand surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons when both were employed by hospitals. Hand surgeons received $475,370 when employed by a hospital, which was about $44,422 less than their counterparts who weren't employed by hospitals. Foot and ankle surgeons employed by hospitals received $469,492 on average, which was about $25,000 less than their counterparts who weren't employed by hospitals.
4. Hand surgeons receive most in the South, foot and ankle in the Midwest. Hand surgeons received the highest compensation in the South, at $604,830, which is about $177,000 more than hand surgeons in the lowest compensating region, the East. The East was where the gap between hand and foot and ankle surgeons was the smallest, with only $2,000 difference between the two subspecialists. Foot and ankle surgeons received the most in the Midwest, at $494,457.
5. Metropolitan areas compensate higher than rural areas. Large metropolitan areas compensated highest for hand surgeons, at $618,410. Metropolitan areas with a population of less than one million people were the highest compensating regions for foot and ankle surgeons, at $539,265, which is about $52,000 more than hand surgeons in the same region.
Learn more about MGMA.
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2. Both received more in a single specialty practice setting. Both hand and foot surgeons received more when they were in a single specialty practice versus a multispecialty practice. Hand surgeons received more in both settings than foot and ankle surgeons. In a single specialty practice, hand surgeons received $563,319, which is nearly $100,000 more than hand surgeons in a multispecialty group. Foot and ankle surgeons in a single specialty practice received considerably less than hand surgeons, at $481,233, which was still almost $60,000 more than foot and ankle surgeons in a multispecialty practice.
3. Disparity between compensation was smallest in a hospital setting. There was only a $5,878 difference between hand surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons when both were employed by hospitals. Hand surgeons received $475,370 when employed by a hospital, which was about $44,422 less than their counterparts who weren't employed by hospitals. Foot and ankle surgeons employed by hospitals received $469,492 on average, which was about $25,000 less than their counterparts who weren't employed by hospitals.
4. Hand surgeons receive most in the South, foot and ankle in the Midwest. Hand surgeons received the highest compensation in the South, at $604,830, which is about $177,000 more than hand surgeons in the lowest compensating region, the East. The East was where the gap between hand and foot and ankle surgeons was the smallest, with only $2,000 difference between the two subspecialists. Foot and ankle surgeons received the most in the Midwest, at $494,457.
5. Metropolitan areas compensate higher than rural areas. Large metropolitan areas compensated highest for hand surgeons, at $618,410. Metropolitan areas with a population of less than one million people were the highest compensating regions for foot and ankle surgeons, at $539,265, which is about $52,000 more than hand surgeons in the same region.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Physician Compensation:
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More in 2010
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
5 Points on Which Orthopedic Surgeons Earned the Most in 2010