#USA #Dallas #Gastroenterology #AMN Healthcare #Physician Salaries

Gastroenterologists Lead as Highest-Paid Physicians

In a notable shift in the healthcare compensation landscape, gastroenterologists have secured the title of the highest-paid physicians, surpassing orthopedic surgeons for the first time in four years. According to AMN Healthcare's annual review, the average starting salary for gastroenterologists has skyrocketed to $654,000, highlighting an increasing demand for specialists in procedural fields.

The recent 2026 Report on Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives, marking its 33rd year, emphasizes how the average starting salary for all physicians has risen to $419,000, compared to $403,000 the previous year. This year-on-year increase reflects the growing competition among healthcare facilities to attract skilled medical professionals.

Rising Competition and Salary Incentives

The report indicates that orthopedic surgeons, who previously held the top position, have seen their average starting salary drop by 12%, landing at $507,000. This shift is attributed to an aging population that places a higher demand on gastroenterology and similar specialties, outpacing the supply of physicians.

The healthcare sector is responding to these challenges with substantial financial incentives. Notably, the average signing bonus for physicians has seen a remarkable 29% increase, now averaging nearly $50,000. In fact, signing bonuses were offered in 87% of the recruitment engagements conducted by AMN Healthcare, illustrating how hospitals and medical groups are striving to make enticing offers to top candidates.

Robin Johnson, Group President of Nursing and Allied Physician Solutions at AMN Healthcare, states, "An aging population is driving demand for specialists faster than the supply of physicians in procedural fields like gastroenterology, cardiology, and urology can keep up." He notes that signing bonuses have become an essential tool for attracting talent amidst fierce competition.

Specialists Dominate the Salary Rankings

The report further indicates that all ten highest-paid physician positions are held by specialists. Following gastroenterology, here are the next highest average starting salaries:

• - Interventional Cardiology: $650,000
• - Urology: $638,000
• - Otolaryngology: $575,000
• - Radiology: $571,000
• - Non-invasive Cardiology: $568,000

Urologists experienced the most significant year-on-year increase, with a remarkable 22.5% rise in starting salaries. This trend reflects an ongoing shift in physician supply and demand dynamics, which is increasingly centered on specialized fields.

In contrast, primary care physicians are lagging significantly behind, with average compensations of $291,000 for family medicine, $289,000 for internal medicine, and a low $231,000 for pediatricians, with the latter seeing a 10.6% drop.

Academic Positions You'll Pay Less

Interestingly, practice setting also plays a significant role in compensation levels. Physicians working in academic environments earn an average starting salary of $362,000, which pales in comparison to the $452,000 typical for non-academic settings. This disparity emphasizes the financial challenges faced by academic medical centers, which comprised 30% of AMN Healthcare's search engagements, predominantly for clinical faculty positions.

Nurse Practitioners Remain Highly Sought After

For the sixth successive year, nurse practitioners (NPs) topped the list of most requested search engagements at AMN Healthcare, with a steady average starting salary of $180,000. Johnson remarks that organizations are increasingly viewing NPs as integral to their workforce, highlighting their role in expanding access to primary care, specialty practices, and rising demands for behavioral health and telehealth services.

Conclusion: Shifts in Contracts and Practice Settings

The report reveals that a majority of contracts (68%) now offer salaries accompanied by production bonuses, often determined by relative value units (RVUs). It also notes a growing trend towards 1099 independent contractor arrangements among physicians. Furthermore, telehealth has solidified its status as a permanent practice setting.

Overall, the annual report paints a clear picture of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, particularly highlighting the premium placed on gastroenterologists and other specialists, driven by demographic shifts and an urgent need for healthcare providers.