Are medical doctors millionaires?

Asked by: Elta Kerluke  |  Last update: January 11, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (52 votes)

Many doctors do become millionaires, but it's not guaranteed. About 51% of doctors reach a net worth of $1 million or more, but this changes a lot based on their age and area of work. Younger doctors, especially those just starting out, usually have lower net worths.

Are doctors usually millionaires?

In fact, according to the latest 2022 Medscape report which surveyed 13,000 doctors, the average physician graduated with $203,000 in debt. Only half of physicians reported a net worth of over $1 million, and not until the age of 55.

Is it possible for a doctor to be a millionaire?

Yes, many doctors have become millionaires (assets-liabilities > $1 million). With income often >$200K per year, they can pay off student loans, and keep saving. Or buy a house, or some other investment, and that may also grow. A few doctors become billionaires by inventing a new drug, or starting a chain of clinics.

Can you make millions as a doctor?

Doctors in the top 10 percent averaged $1.3 million. And those in the top 1 percent averaged an astounding $4 million, though most of that (85 percent) came from business income or capital gains.

What is the richest type of doctor?

A neurosurgeon is the highest-paid doctor on our list. Neurosurgery encompasses surgery of the brain, spinal cord/column, and peripheral nerves. Aspiring neurosurgeons must complete at least a seven-year residency. The average annual compensation for neurosurgeons is $763,908, putting them at the top of our list.

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23 related questions found

Are you rich if you are a doctor?

Being a doctor doesn't make you rich

However, regardless of your specialty, you make in the top 1% of income in the U.S. and the world as a physician. So, you are a highly-paid individual. And that is why 99% of people, including doctors, believe that being a doctor makes you rich.

What is the lowest paid doctor?

1. Medical Genetics and Genomics. In the number 1 spot for lowest paid medical specialty is medical genetics and genomics at $244,517. Medical geneticists focus on the relationship between genes and health.

Do doctors make 500K a year?

While it's true that becoming a doctor means a guaranteed 6 figure salary, these salaries vary dramatically between specialties. The good news is in 2024, the Physician Compensation Report from Doximity listed 12 medical specialties that now make over 500K a year.

What is the highest paying job that isn't a doctor?

Orthotic and prosthetics professionals are among the highest paid non-physician health care providers. These professionals design, fabricate, measure and fit orthotic and prosthetic devices for all ages. They work with artificial limbs, braces, and other medical or surgical prosthetic devices.

Why are doctors paid so much?

One basic reason why doctors earn a lot is that medical care costs a lot, researchers say. And the federal government largely sets those prices. Medicare, the federal insurance program, establishes prices for medical services.

At what age do most doctors become millionaires?

Millionaire Status

Across the board according to the 2021 physician wealth report, 56% of physicians reported a net worth of over a million. Out of family physicians, the majority become millionaires by the age of 55, with only 11% having a net worth of a million before 45.

What profession has the most millionaires?

The Top five Careers Most Likely to Produce Millionaires
  • Engineer. Median Salary: $91,010.
  • Accountant (CPA) Median Salary: $77,250.
  • Teacher. Median Salary: $61,030.
  • Management. Median Salary: $107,360.
  • Attorney.

Who is the wealthiest doctor in the world?

The 5 richest physicians of 2024
  • Thomas Frist Jr., MD, $20.2 billion, founded Hospital Corp. ...
  • Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, $5.8 billion, was a practicing physician before inventing the cancer medication Abraxane.
  • Gary Michelson, MD, $1.8 billion, is a retired orthopedic and spine surgeon who holds over 340 U.S. patents.

Are doctors upper class?

These are the upper-middle-class people. The upper-middle-class usually evolves out of people from the middle-class tier who are particularly resourceful or who achieve higher levels of education than the rest of the middle class. Examples of these people in today's society are doctors and lawyers.

Who is the youngest richest doctor in the world?

Keith Dunleavy, MD, is the youngest physician billionaire, according to Forbes' 2024 World's Billionaires list. Dr. Dunleavy is a 55-year-old internal medicine physician. He founded Inovalon, a cloud-based software and healthcare analytics firm.

Do doctors struggle financially?

Doctors struggle with money because their education is expensive. As the cited data suggests, medical school is expensive and costs more each year. The average medical student graduates with over $200,000 in medical education debt, not including undergraduate loans.

What is the hardest doctor job to get?

While competition levels can vary, plastic surgery often ranks as the most competitive medical specialty. Entering plastic surgery can be exceptionally challenging due to the need for both surgical skill and aesthetic judgment, combined with a limited number of available training positions.

What is the richest medical profession?

The Highest Paying Medical Jobs
  • Orthopedic surgery. ...
  • Plastic surgery. ...
  • Oral & maxillofacial. ...
  • Vascular surgery. ...
  • Cardiology. ...
  • Radiation oncology. ...
  • Gastroenterology. ...
  • Radiology. Radiologists diagnose patients, conduct radiation treatments, and analyze and interpret medical imaging results.

What is the #1 best paying job?

Get Matched!
  • Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Psychiatrist. #2 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Emergency Medicine Physician. #3 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Orthodontist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Radiologist. ...
  • Pilot.

Why are neurosurgeons paid so much?

One of the reasons why neurosurgeons earn some of the highest salaries in the medical field is because they're required to spend much of their younger years in medical school. Needless to say, these extra years of study at a medical college come with a price tag.

How rich is the average doctor?

The average annual salary for all physicians is $352,000, up roughly 4% from last year's average of $339,000. However, a turbulent stock market in 2022 provided some tailwinds to overall wealth.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure.

What is the richest paid doctor?

Neurosurgeons are the highest paid doctors, earning an average salary of $763,908 per year.

What is the easiest doctor to become?

Easiest Doctor to Become
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) ...
  • Emergency medicine. ...
  • Family medicine. ...
  • Internal medicine. ...
  • Pathology. ...
  • Pediatrics. ...
  • Psychiatry. ...
  • Anesthesiology.

Are doctors being underpaid?

And while pay for doctors is actually increasing overall, top-line numbers don't tell the whole story. Average physician pay went up 6% in 2023, according to the report, and physicians in major metro areas like San Jose, Calif., and St. Louis, Mo., are earning salaries of around $450,000.