Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Obstetricians and gynecologists are highly educated medical professionals who focus on women’s health. This career currently has national employment of 22,000, with projected employment growth of 1.2% and about 1,000 openings each year. The role draws on a blend of advanced scientific knowledge, critical and analytical thinking, and strong interpersonal abilities. Professionals in this field are expected to be detail oriented, adaptable, and capable of sound problem solving and decision making in complex situations. Leadership, effective speaking and listening, solid writing and reading skills, and comfort with computers and information technology all contribute to success. Opportunity varies by location, with some states and metro areas showing higher salaries, more employment, or stronger overall opportunity scores. For students and career changers willing to pursue a doctoral or professional degree, this path offers a specialized, skills-intensive option with a structured educational expectation and consistent projected growth at the national level.
Earning potential for obstetricians and gynecologists is strong in many states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $272,240 in Massachusetts to $348,800 in New York. California reports a median salary of $301,240, Maryland $306,310, and Washington $343,140. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area shows a median salary of $329,750, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue reports $343,140 and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington reports $320,040. Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a median of $235,460, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin reports $208,000. These figures indicate substantial variation by region, even among locations with strong overall opportunity scores. Individuals considering this career can use these salary medians to compare regions and weigh potential earnings against other factors such as employment levels and personal location preferences.
Nationally, obstetricians and gynecologists have employment of 22,000, with a projected employment growth rate of 1.2%. This growth projection indicates that jobs in this field are expected to increase, though at a modest pace. There are about 1,000 annual openings, which reflects a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The consistent 1.2% growth rate also appears in the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting a relatively uniform projection across those highlighted locations. For job seekers, the combination of current employment levels and regular annual openings points to ongoing demand over time rather than rapid expansion. When planning a career in this field, it can be helpful to consider both the national picture and the specific regions with strong opportunity scores, since they may offer different balances between job availability, competition, and compensation.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for obstetricians and gynecologists. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Maryland stand out with notable opportunity scores ranging from 52.88 in Maryland to 67.38 in California. New York combines the highest median salary among these states at $348,800 with the largest employment level of 2,750. California and Maryland also offer median salaries above $300,000, while Massachusetts shows a somewhat lower median of $272,240 but still a strong opportunity score. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $329,750, and employment of 2,470. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue shows a high median salary of $343,140 with smaller employment, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin present varied combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores. These differences allow candidates to target regions that best match their priorities.
Obstetricians and gynecologists typically need a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced knowledge and responsibility associated with this career. The required education supports a strong foundation in science and critical and analytical thinking, which are central skills in this field. Success also depends on being detail oriented and having well-developed problem solving and decision-making abilities. Because these professionals work closely with patients and other healthcare team members, interpersonal skills, along with effective speaking and listening, are important. Writing and reading skills support clear documentation and communication. Leadership is also highlighted as a key skill, indicating that many roles may involve guiding teams or coordinating care. Comfort with computers and information technology is another important component, aligning with modern healthcare environments. Together, the educational level and skill profile suggest a rigorous but structured path for those prepared to commit to advanced professional training.
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