Are Physician Jobs the "Best Jobs in America"?

ysician jobs make the list of best jobs in America.and Benefit to Society, a "B" for Job Security, and of
Despite high levels of frustration and stress, physiciancourse, a "D" for Stress Level.
jobs hold several spots on the 2009 list of the BestOther Physician Jobs in the Top 100:
100 Jobs in America from CNNMoney and PayScale.General Surgeons earn a median salary of $248,000
With 22 of the top 100 spots, healthcare jobsand online job postings for General Surgeons grew
dominated the list, and Anesthesiology jobs, General19% from April to August of 2009. Surgeons received
Physician jobs, OB/GYN jobs, and Psychiatry jobs"A's" for Personal Satisfaction, Future Growth, and
earned spots in the top 25. Physician jobs were ratedBenefit to Society, a "B" for Job Security, and a "D" for
on Personal Satisfaction, Job Security, Future Growth,Stress.
Benefit to Society, and Low Stress.Emergency Room Physicians earn a median salary of
Physician Jobs in the Top 25:$249,000 and online job postings for ER Doctors grew
At # 11 on the list, Anesthesiologists earn a median17% from April to August of 2009. ER Doctors
salary of $292,000 and online job postings forreceived "A's" for Personal Satisfaction, Job Security,
Anesthesiologists grew 70% from April to August ofand Benefit to Society, a "B" for Future Growth, and a
2009. Anesthesiologists received "A's" for Personal"D" for Stress.
Satisfaction, Future Growth, and Benefit to Society, aOf course, despite this optimistic report, not all
"B" for Job Security, and a "D" for Stress Level.physicians feel quite so positive about their profession.
At # 19 on the list, General Practice Physicians earn aA 2010 survey of MDsearch physicians asked doctors
median salary of $150,000 and online job postings forin a variety of specialties if they would encourage a
General Physicians grew 39% from April to August ofyounger family member or friend to pursue a career
2009. General Physicians received "A's" for Personalas a physician, and only 39% of respondents
Satisfaction and Benefit to Society, "B's" for Futureanswered "yes." An additional 30% said "maybe," 16%
Growth and Job Security, and not surprisingly, a "D" forsaid "probably not," and 11% said "no."
Stress Level.When asked to explain why they would or would not
At # 22 on the list, Obstetricians/Gynecologists earn arecommend a career as a physician, respondents
median salary of $222,000 and online job postings forcited pending healthcare legislation, malpractice issues,
OB/GYNs grew 23% from April to August of 2009.and insurance company red tape as reasons for their
OB/GYNs received "A's" for Personal Satisfaction,hesitation. Several physicians also mentioned the
Future Growth, and Benefit to Society, a "B" for Jobincreasingly high cost of a medical education as a
Security, and a "C" for Stress Level.deterrent. But the overall comments from physicians
At # 24 on the list, Psychiatrists earn a median salarywere positive, and most physicians would recommend
of $177,000 and online job postings for Psychiatristsa physician career than would not, though not without
grew 25% from April to August of 2009. Psychiatristsa word of warning.
earned "A's" for Personal Satisfaction, Future Growth