Here are five points comparing sports medicine and joint replacement surgeon compensation in 2010, based on data from MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
1. Joint surgeons received more overall. In 2010, joint surgeons received an average of $675,156, which is $29,554 more than sports medicine physicians. Sports medicine physicians reported average compensation of $645,602 in 2010, which is $8,000 less than the average compensation they received in 2009 ($653,642). By contrast, joint surgeons' compensation increased by more than $8,500 from 2009 reports.
2. Single-specialty practice settings were more lucrative. Both joint surgeons and sports medicine physicians received higher compensation in a single-specialty group setting than a multi-specialty group, with sports medicine physicians receiving just $851 more than joint surgeons in the single-specialty setting. Sports medicine physicians received $599,788 on average, compared with joint surgeons who received $598,937. By contrast, joint surgeons received significantly more ($582,296) than sports medicine physicians ($550,000) in multi-specialty practice settings.
3. Joint surgeons received more than sports medicine surgeons in hospital-employed and non-employed settings. There was only a $10 difference between hospital-employed and non-hospital employed joint surgeons, receiving on average $589,267 and $589,277 in 2010, respectively. In both situations, the joint surgeons received more than sports medicine physicians, who received $550,000 when employed by hospitals and $584,050 when not employed.
4. Both received highest compensation in the South. Both joint replacement and sports medicine physicians received the highest compensation in the South, at $687,092 and $665,418, respectively. This means joint replacement surgeons received $21,674 more on average in the highest compensating region in the country. However, in the western part of the country, where joint surgeons received the lowest compensation at $424,014, sports medicine physicians received in excess of $100,000 more than joint surgeons, at $558,888.
5. Sports medicine physicians received more earlier in their practice. Sports medicine counterparts received an average of $406,741 in 2010, and there was no data available for joint surgeon compensation during the first two year s of practice. Up to 17 years in practice, sports medicine physicians were still receiving more than joint surgeons. For physicians who were three to seven years in practice, sports medicine received $655,576, while joint surgeons received $570,165 — a more than $85,000 difference. That gap shrunk to little more than $23,000 for physicians eight to 17 years in practice, with sports medicine still receiving more. However, after 18 years of practice, joint surgeons received more ($619,044) than sports medicine physicians ($614,385).
Learn more about MGMA.
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Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
12 Statistics on Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon Compensation by Employment Status
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2. Single-specialty practice settings were more lucrative. Both joint surgeons and sports medicine physicians received higher compensation in a single-specialty group setting than a multi-specialty group, with sports medicine physicians receiving just $851 more than joint surgeons in the single-specialty setting. Sports medicine physicians received $599,788 on average, compared with joint surgeons who received $598,937. By contrast, joint surgeons received significantly more ($582,296) than sports medicine physicians ($550,000) in multi-specialty practice settings.
3. Joint surgeons received more than sports medicine surgeons in hospital-employed and non-employed settings. There was only a $10 difference between hospital-employed and non-hospital employed joint surgeons, receiving on average $589,267 and $589,277 in 2010, respectively. In both situations, the joint surgeons received more than sports medicine physicians, who received $550,000 when employed by hospitals and $584,050 when not employed.
4. Both received highest compensation in the South. Both joint replacement and sports medicine physicians received the highest compensation in the South, at $687,092 and $665,418, respectively. This means joint replacement surgeons received $21,674 more on average in the highest compensating region in the country. However, in the western part of the country, where joint surgeons received the lowest compensation at $424,014, sports medicine physicians received in excess of $100,000 more than joint surgeons, at $558,888.
5. Sports medicine physicians received more earlier in their practice. Sports medicine counterparts received an average of $406,741 in 2010, and there was no data available for joint surgeon compensation during the first two year s of practice. Up to 17 years in practice, sports medicine physicians were still receiving more than joint surgeons. For physicians who were three to seven years in practice, sports medicine received $655,576, while joint surgeons received $570,165 — a more than $85,000 difference. That gap shrunk to little more than $23,000 for physicians eight to 17 years in practice, with sports medicine still receiving more. However, after 18 years of practice, joint surgeons received more ($619,044) than sports medicine physicians ($614,385).
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Physician Compensation:
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
12 Statistics on Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon Compensation by Employment Status
Spine Vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More in 2010