Background: Women constitute an increasing proportion of physicians in the
United States. Historically, inequities have existed between male and femal
e physicians in professional advancement, but evidence has suggested that d
isparities in salary are resolving.
Objective: To examine the current state of salary equity among male and fem
ale internists.
Design: Population-based survey mailed to all Board-certified female intern
ists and a matched group of male internists who had graduated from medical
school 10 to 30 years ago and were currently practicing.
Setting: Pennsylvania.
Participants: 232 male and 213 female internists for whom data were complet
e.
Measurements: Respondents answered questions about demographic characterist
ics, training, practice type and setting, status within the practice, famil
y life, and salary.
Results: Women were more likely to be involved in the least lucrative pract
ice arrangements. They were more likely to be in low-paying specialties, to
not be a partner in the practice, and to be salaried employees; they also
spent fewer hours per week seeing patients. Even after adjustment for these
differences, hourly earnings were significantly higher (14%) among men tha
n among their female colleagues. Men's earnings significantly exceeded wome
n's earnings among physicians with no academic affiliation, those in high-e
arning specialties, and those in general internal medicine.
Conclusions: Significant salary differentials exist between male and female
internists overall and in various medical practice settings.