Study: Parent Physicians Face $2M Pay Gap
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by Kerri Miller
October 29, 2024
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2 min
5 Key Takeaways
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1
Female physicians earn over $2 million less than their male counterparts over a simulated 40-year career.
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2
Parenthood affects physician compensation differently by gender, with women experiencing decreased annual income with each additional child. Men saw increased earnings after becoming fathers.
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3
The COVID-19 pandemic may have intensified income disparities for female physicians with children.
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4
The University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine implemented an annual faculty salary audit program to address gender-based pay discrepancies.
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5
Recommendations for health systems include conducting regular salary audits and offering focused coaching programs for equitable promotion opportunities.
Female physicians face significant income disparities compared to their male counterparts, experiencing lower earnings over a 40-year career. The analysis also highlighted the impact of parenthood on physician compensation, with women experiencing decreased annual income with each additional child, while men saw increased earnings after becoming fathers. The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated these disparities, particularly for female physicians with children. Additionally, the paper recommended various approaches for health systems, such as conducting regular salary audits and implementing collective pay agreements to address gender-based pay discrepancies.
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