Graduate Medical Education Salary Gap: Is Military Service an Equalizing Force? [4C

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Disparities exist between resident salaries and other professionals. We compared salaries to determine if military pay equalizes financial disparities in civilian graduate medical education training. METHODS: Using aggregate salary data, we compared military versus civilian salaries for residents and staff physicians in OB/GYN. Military pay was from 2017 Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) tables, including: base pay, housing/subsistence allowances, incentive and board certification pay. Military residents were calculated for O-3, and staff salaries the average of O-4 and O-5. Civilian salaries were from Medscape 2016 Residents Salary & Debt Report, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2017 Provider Compensation Report for private practice, and from 2015-2016 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Faculty Salary Report for academic providers, using the rank of Assistant Professor. RESULTS: The GME salary gap was positive, with mean civilian OB/GYN residents $55,000, compared to military residents $91,287, +66% difference. For staff, the salary gap is negative, with mean private practice $368,135 and mean academic $277,000 compared to military $163,099, -56% and -42% respectively. For subspecialists in OB/GYN, the military is $168,099 compared to private practice UROGYN $422,413 (-$60%); private practice REI $427,667 (-60%) academic REI $392,000 (-57%); private practice GYN/ONC $486,118 (-65%) academic GYN/ONC $323,600 (-50%); private practice MFM $536,279 (-69%) academic MFM $339,700 (-52%). CONCLUSION: A salary gap exists in the military, shifting from positive in residency to negative for staff. The gap is smaller for academic faculty compared to private practice. Actual salaries vary based on multi-year bonuses and scholarship programs that decrease debt.