Montana is the best state for doctors in 2020, according to a new ranking from WalletHub.
Fortunately, no matter where they work, physicians are among the highest-paid professionals in the U.S., as well as the most educated. With a median salary of more than $193,000 last year, physician was designated as the highest-paid job type, according to WalletHub.
High education levels and job requirements also deliver heavy debt. Even with high salaries, medical-school graduates typically begin their careers owing an average of $194,000 in student loans.
WalletHub ranked the best and worst states for doctors in 2020, comparing all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 19 metrics, such as annual wages, hospitals per capita, quality of public health systems and more.
Some of the best states for doctors had the highest average annual wages when adjusted for cost of living. Cost of living adjustments made some states with the largest U.S. cities less affordable, such as Massachusetts, California, New York and the District of Columbia. Several states ranked near the bottom also were projected to have the highest competition by 2026, including New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.
Here are the top 10 best states for doctors in 2020:
- Montana
- Wisconsin
- Idaho
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- Kansas
- Iowa
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
Here are the 10 worst states for doctors in 2020:
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Alaska
- New Jersey
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Hawaii
See the full ranking here.
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."