Gastroenterologist Salary

A gastroenterologist is a type of doctor who specializes in the problems of the digestive system. So, if you have any trouble eating or any sort of problems of the digestive system, a gastroenterologist is the one you should meet!

Annual Salary

The job of a gastroenterologist is definitely one of the highest paying jobs. Data suggests that the median annual salary for gastroenterologists in America today is as high as USD 267,444. The ones with a greater experience, of course may be able to charge higher for their services. How much higher? Well, a gastroenterologist with 1-2 years of experience can make about USD 265,000, one with 3 or more years of experience can make up to USD 349,000 and one with even more experience can make up to a heart-stopping USD 590,000!

Of course, since most of them earn money based on what they charge to individual patients rather than a fixed salary, these numbers could widely differ based on where the gastroenterologist practices. In the higher paying bigger cities, the salary is higher than that in the smaller towns. The other factor influencing the pay is of course, the number of patients that come through his door and the range of problems which they suffer from. So a gastroenterologist with a lot more patients will make more money than a gastroenterologist with fewer patients. This is where experience counts for a lot, since gastroenterology is a pretty difficult science, people do not mind paying more money to go to a more experienced doctor. Hence, the salary of gastroenterologist with more years of experience is markedly higher.

Becoming a Gastroenterologist

As remunerative as the salary is becoming, a gastroenterologist is no easy task and often takes one of the highest number of years to complete the education. To become a gastroenterologist, you first need to complete your graduation in a related field of science or medicine. This is followed by a 4 year dedicated course in medicine from a reputed medical school. Towards the later years, you have to pick gastroenterology as your subject for specialization. This is followed by a 3 year course in internal medicine, after which you are expected to complete a 2 or 3 years fellowship program involving training in how to cure digestive problems. And then there is the exam conducted by the American Board for Internal Medicine, which you have to pass in order to finally become a certified gastroenterologist. This means there is a long 13 year education (provided you don't fail!) you have to undergo.

Job Description

As tough as this long and difficult path to become a gastroenterologist is, the job itself is equally demanding. The job involves treating severe digestive conditions such as colon polyps, colon cancer, colonitis, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease. A gastroenterologist uses various techniques to cure these diseases, the most prominent of which is endoscopy. Endoscopy involves entering a small camera with a light through a long thin tube which helps the gastroenterologist examine the problem in order to cure it.

So, should you hope to one day explore the career opportunities in this field, I hope this article proves useful!