Physicians are facing intense operating environments after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pressures of the pandemic have worsened labor shortages and influenced many clinicians to consider leaving the industry altogether.
However, there’s still a bright spot for those entering the medical world. According to WalletHub, doctors are one of the highest paid positions, with a median salary of $208,000 per year or higher. Even with such a high rate of compensation, not all regions are the same, and knowing which are the best and worst states for doctors can help physicians know where to practice.
WalletHub ranked which states are the best for doctors, looking at 19 key metrics, including wages, number of hospitals, population rate, current and future competition and more.
Here are the top 10 best states for physicians:
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Idaho
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Indiana
Montana was considered the best state for doctors in 2023 thanks to high annual wages when adjusted for cost of living and one of the country's best medical environments. Louisiana had the second lowest rate of competition, behind Nevada. Nebraska was considered to have the least expensive annual malpractice liability insurance on the list.
While WalletHub considered wages and competition among its metrics for the rankings, there are several other important factors physicians should consider. For one, state laws prohibiting certain healthcare services, such as abortion care, can put patients at harm and be important considerations for where to practice.
“The most important consideration today is whether doctors can provide pregnant patients with the care they want and need without fear of criminal prosecution,” said Stephanie Woolhandler, MD, MPH, FACP, of the School of Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York Graduate Center. “A second consideration is whether doctors can legally provide optimal care to children who have gender dysphoria.”
Here are the 10 worst states for physicians:
- Hawaii
- Rhode Island
- Alaska
- New Jersey
- District of Columbia
- New Mexico
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Oregon
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."