Are most medical doctors millionaires?
Asked by: Mrs. Shea Goldner | Last update: October 28, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (57 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.
What percentage of doctors are 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.
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.
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.
Do any doctors make millions?
The top 1% of physicians earned more than $1.7 million a year. Researchers found that doctors from the best medical schools flock to the highest-paying specialties. Doctors also favor procedures that yield more profits. Some medical specialties are eye-poppingly well-paid.
Why More Doctors Aren’t Millionaires
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.
What is the lowest paying 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.
Is being a doctor financially smart?
Earning 4-5 times the average is a great income. You can have a wonderful financial life on an income of $275,000. You can pay off your debts, live comfortably, never worry about money, become financially independent by mid-career, help others, and even buy a few luxuries along the way.
Are doctors upper middle class?
Most people in the upper-middle class strata are highly educated white collar professionals such as but not limited to physicians, dentists, lawyers, military officers, economists, business analysts, urban planners, university professors, architects, supervisors and proprietors of sales jobs, psychologists, scientists, ...
At what age do doctors start making money?
For example, while a graduate who holds a master's degree in computer science can start competing for top developer jobs after about six years of college, or around their mid-20s, doctors won't start earning their $200,000-plus salaries until much later (early 30s).
What profession has the most millionaires?
- Engineer. Median Salary: $91,010.
- Accountant (CPA) Median Salary: $77,250.
- Teacher. Median Salary: $61,030.
- Management. Median Salary: $107,360.
- Attorney.
At what age does the average doctor become a millionaire?
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. Today let's review net worth by age for doctors through the decades.
Who is the wealthiest doctor in the world?
- 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.
How much money do most doctors retire with?
On average, men stated that $4.1 million would provide a comfortable retirement, with women stating $3.6 million. Overall, the average for physicians was $3.9 million. At these levels, physicians have typically funded about 77% of their desired amount.
What do the top 1 percent of doctors make?
More than 25 percent of physicians in 2017 earned above $425,000 annually and the top 1 percent of physicians averaged $4 million in annual earnings — 10 times the average annual earnings in the sample and more than twice the average earnings in the top 5 percent.
Do doctors live a wealthy lifestyle?
After all, doctors earn significantly more than the average person, right? While this is true, the reality is more complex. Many doctors, despite their high incomes, live paycheck to paycheck. Rather than becoming wealthy, many doctors today are HENRYs: High Earners, Not Rich Yet.
Are doctors part of the elite?
History has long placed doctors into the elite class—a group of individuals who may be of higher intellect, wealth, power, and/or special skills and experiences, and in return may have higher influence in society.
What salary is considered upper class?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median. Don't Miss: Are you rich?
What professions are lower middle class?
- Accounting Manager. ...
- Online Mandarin Chinese Teacher (Independent Contractor) ...
- Middle School Class Teacher and Middle School Collaborative Teacher. ...
- Middle School Special Education Teacher and Case Manager (Humanities focus) (2025-2026 School Year) ...
- Spanish Teacher. ...
- Strengthen your profile.
How rich is the average doctor?
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.
Do doctors make more than engineers?
On average, a physician makes $246,142 per year . Specializations, like cardiologists, make $284,694 per year on average. Salaries can depend on factors like location and experience.An engineer makes a national average salary of $68,746 per year . Salaries vary depending on the type of engineer role you pursue.
What is the lifetime earnings of a doctor?
Results: The estimates of lifetime earnings for the broad categories of Surgery, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Subspecialties, and Other specialties were $1,587,722, $1,099,655, and $761,402 more than for Primary Care.
What doctor makes $500 000 a year?
Dermatologists make $500,000 per year—and many only work four days a week | Fortune.
What is the hardest doctor to become?
What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.
What is the easiest doctor to become?
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) ...
- Emergency medicine. ...
- Family medicine. ...
- Internal medicine. ...
- Pathology. ...
- Pediatrics. ...
- Psychiatry. ...
- Anesthesiology.