U-M analysis: Gender pay gap found among top doctors
There’s a belief among doctors that men and women in the profession are compensated equally.
But according to a new analysis, male physician researchers make about $12,000 more per year than their female counterparts.
An analysis found male doctors made more money than their female counterparts.
The team analyzed age, medical specialty, marital status, work hours, time spent in research, number of peer-reviewed publications, location, race, additional grants, leadership roles and other degrees.
It seemed like a fairly controlled group.
The analysis found men made an average of $200,422 per year and women made $167,669 per year. Once the researchers adjusted for all the factors, the average disparity was about $12,000.
Over a 30-year career, women in the field studied would earn $350,000 less than their male equivalents.
Lead study author Reshma Jagsi, associate professor and physician researcher at the U-M Health System, said she didn’t expect to see a substantial difference between the salaries of the men and the women.
“It’s worrisome,” Jagsi said about the disparity they found between the paychecks.
However, Jagsi said the wage gap isn’t necessarily discriminatory.
“I don’t think overt discrimination is likely going to be the explanation,” Jagsi said. “I don’t think we can say this is the outcome of conscious behavior.”
Previous research has indicated a conscious gender bias among both men and women, in that both are more likely to hire a man over a woman candidate - even if both have identical accomplishments.
Differences in behavior when it comes to negotiating salaries could also account for the disparity, Jagsi said.
“It’s really uncommon for people in my profession to encounter institutional leaders who are overtly discriminatory toward them,” Jagsi said. “I think we have this myth in medicine that these kinds of differences don’t exist.”
The study’s results are in the June 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
“I hope institutional leaders will take note to improve transparency and standardization of how pay is issued,” Jagsi said.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
DeeDee
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
Gosh, I sure would like to see what all the guys who commented about how this is irrelevant/unimportant would say if we just reversed the use of the works male/female in this article. Bet there would be a whole different point of view.
bern
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 4:34 p.m.
One important statistic that was not reported in the article was the distribution of pay. That is to say, was the men's pay average distorted by a few very high pay individuals, or was the women's pay average distorted by a few very low paid individuals? Maybe the high paid male outliers (if there were any) were very good at demanding better pay. Maybe the female outliers were totally uninterested in pay, and wished only to serve. It seems to me that a reluctance to pound on the boss's desk and demand a raise is as likely these days as discrimination to explain sex pay disparity in Medicine. This certainly explains some of the pay disparity that exists among men with similar credentials. I know from my work experience that pounding (metaphorically) on the boss's desk works. Given the above, I don't see how to force a reduction of the disparity below the present 6% without draconian interference with the employer employee relationship that is likely to make life worse for everybody including women doctors. Encouraging women and girls to "pound on the boss's desk" is, to my way of thinking, a better approach than demanding that "somebody do something".
Renee S.
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
"However, Jagsi said the wage gap isn't necessarily discriminatory." That's not what she said it all... she said it wasn't OVERT. Unconscious discrimination is still discriminatory.
OutfieldDan
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
I think $12,000/year is pretty trivial considering that the salary is so high. That's about as close at it can get. Who knows what this insignificant difference is caused by.
Peter
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
You know why women make less in every profession than their male counterparts? Because the attitudes on display here aren't rare or confined to internet comments. Some of these posts would make a redditor blush!
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
women get the shaft because our society says it's ok.
jmac
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
FYI, salary information is not always public knowledge. How many female doctors even know what their male counterparts are taking home in their paychecks? Equal pay for equal work, period.
DennisP
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:36 a.m.
I'm sure the study accounts for factors such as maternity leaves, etc. The pay difference was about $30,000 but reduced to $12K after all adjustments considered. Now, ask me if I care? Like someone said. It's not the high-paid professional or executive that we should worry about, it's the hourly or typical salaried worker. Right now, many men and women would be very happy just to have a job and paycheck after the destruction of a once -vibrant economy by government-backed banksters. Women of that high professional status often have a number of reasons for taking the salaries they do. They have as many options as men. Some may elect to remain in a single job for the entire careers and not take advantage of salary increases that only come with "job-hopping". Some may take lower responsibilities because they have familial obligations. Finally, a lot of this may not review alternative income--money from privately-owned businesses. Many doctors run their own businesses or invest in many health-related businesses that generate outside income. Many collect fees for speaking or for other activities. One nurse and many doctors in Michigan makes huge sums pushing pharmaceuticals at medical conventions. That won't be reflected in her salary as a nurse. So, I don't worry about these people at all. None of them are uncomfortable.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
another man defending his right to earn more than a woman...... how's that workin' for ya?
AAProgressive
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 9:17 a.m.
The amount of sexism on this board amazes me.
Michigan Man
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
Such an old story. Think I would rather talk about the bogus War on Women. Just really nothing new here at all. Little wonder no one cares and few are commenting.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
the war on women's rights is not bogus. women have the right to equal pay for equal work. we have the right to decide over our bodies. we do. like it or not.
Dog Guy
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.
Mr. Doctor puts in more hours.
Renee S.
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
Did you... read the article? They controlled for that. You must be a guy, men are bad at reading.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
only in your fantasy
xmo
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
My doctor took off time to have a baby, then came back to work. She did this several times during the last few years. Do male doctors get this job Benefit? They should, this way we can pay equalize the pay!
Belisa
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
well, I am a doc and I am way overpaid and if you come to me you're just wasting your time ...hahaha
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
@xmo: Just another way to promote an anti-choice agenda and keep women down? Good boy. Go fetch. As soon as you can get pregnant (oh, like I am right now and I also hold a doctorate) let me know and I will speak to you as my childbearing equal. Until then - go dig holes or fetch balls or whatever it is you do for a living. @belisa: whaaa whaaaaa whaaaa.......overrated and over paid? ..... until you need one, right? instead of whining why not go do something to move yourself forward?
1bit
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:59 a.m.
Belisa's argument is excerpted from her/his thesis "Why education doesn't matter: facts are for wimps" which earned her/him high honors and a the grand i.M.D. (Internet medical degree). I have heard that the follow-up thesis, "Everyone is overpaid but me" is even better.
AAProgressive
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 7:59 a.m.
xmo, that is the worst argument ever.
Belisa
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
I think all neutered women docs should make the same amount ...on second thought most docs are a waste of time and WAY overpaid, part of the reason why health care is outta control. It really REALLY doesn't take alot to be "healthy".
David
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
If Mrs. Doctor is not paid as much as Mr. Doctor then Mrs. Doctor simply needs to get her act together. Its the gender discrimination against women who are perpetually stuck at the very low-end of the pay scale (the secretaries, admin assistants, etc.) so many of them single mothers that *need* to have their pay raised. Mrs. Doctor is going to be just fine.
pbehjatnia
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
I take it you do not hold a doctorate except from the cracker jack box? Women holding doctoral degrees are just as 'together' as their male counterparts. A woman should not have to be un or undereducated and a single parents to receive equal pay for equal work. Shame on you for trying to keep women down.
Susan Montgomery
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 11:43 p.m.
"The team analyzed age, medical specialty, marital status, work hours, time spent in research, number of peer-reviewed publications, location, race, additional grants, leadership roles and other degrees. It seemed like a fairly controlled group."