Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Career Profile
Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Obstetricians and Gynecologists Perform?
Typical responsibilities of obstetricians and gynecologists include:
- Treat diseases of female organs.
- Care for and treat women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
- Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
- Perform cesarean sections or other surgical procedures as needed to preserve patients' health and deliver babies safely.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical histories, reports, or examination results.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
- Prescribe or administer therapy, medication, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
- Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
Skills and Knowledge
Top obstetricians and gynecologists draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Doctor
- GYN (Gynecologist)
- GYN Physician (Gynecology Physician)
- Gynecologic Oncologist
- Gynecological Oncologist
- Hospitalist
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician (MFM Physician)
How Many Obstetricians and Gynecologists Are There?
There are about 2,583,792 obstetricians and gynecologists working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +11.0% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Obstetricians and Gynecologists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $157,243 |
| Hourly median | $75.60 |
| 10th percentile | $96,157 |
| 25th percentile | $126,700 |
| 75th percentile | $187,786 |
| 90th percentile | $218,329 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Obstetricians and Gynecologists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $236,610 |
| Alabama | $204,570 |
| Indiana | $200,300 |
| Connecticut | $195,860 |
| Michigan | $193,500 |
| Oklahoma | $156,030 |
| Puerto Rico | $145,620 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for obstetricians and gynecologists vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other U.S. Territories | $145,620 | 0.5% | 0.60 |
| Great Lakes | $108,849 | 14.2% | 1.12 |
| New England | $42,348 | 7.2% | 1.25 |
| Southeast | $9,741 | 10.8% | 0.73 |
| Middle Atlantic | $4,680 | 29.3% | 2.03 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Obstetricians and Gynecologists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $235,930 | |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | OH | $209,230 | 280 |
| Rochester, NY | NY | $202,240 | 180 |
| Asheville, NC | NC | $187,480 | 50 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | CT | $184,150 | 120 |
| Madison, WI | WI | $177,980 | 80 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | PR | $147,470 | 40 |
| Flint, MI | MI | $72,230 | 50 |
Which Industries Hire Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The largest employers of obstetricians and gynecologists are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 19,180 | n/a |
| Educational Services | 490 | $74,810 |
Below are examples of industries where obstetricians and gynecologists work:
Tech Stack
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Medical software: Epic Systems (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for obstetricians and gynecologists is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How to Become Obstetricians and Gynecologists
This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Physician Assistants (Supplemental)
- Registered Nurses (Supplemental)
- Nurse Midwives (Primary-Long)
- Nurse Practitioners (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologists (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Primary-Short)
- Dermatologists (Supplemental)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for obstetricians and gynecologists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
2 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1218.00 (Obstetricians and Gynecologists).