The U.S. Department of Labor classifies all doctors as physicians and surgeons. Most doctors invest 10 to 17 years or more to preparing for a medical career. This includes four years of undergraduate school followed by medical school and internships. People who spending all of this time getting ready for a career in the medical field gain numerous advantages when they launch their career as a doctor. Job Stability One advantage of becoming a doctor is job stability. As long as there are people, sickness and disease in the world, doctors are needed. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 691,000 doctors employed in the United States in 2010. The department predicts a 24 percent increase in that number between 2010 and 2020, an increase of 168,300 jobs. This compares with an average job growth for all occupations of 14 percent. Doctors can start their own private practices instead of waiting on a medical facility to hire them. Income Another advantage of becoming a doctor is that you are well paid. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for doctors is $90 per hour, $187,199 annually. The bottom 10th percentile earns $55,190 annually. The mean hourly wage for doctors is $88.78 hourly, $184,650 annually. The highest paying state for doctors is Mississippi, with a mean wage of $112.80 hourly, $234,620 annually. The remaining top five highest-paying states include, in order, South Dakota, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Maine. The median pay for primary care doctors is $202,392 annually. The median pay for speciality care doctors is $356,885 annually. Recognition Recognition is another advantage that comes with being a doctor. Doctors are viewed as lifesavers and get a lot of respect in the community, especially from individuals they have provided health care to. Doctors build bonds with families in the community as they help to deliver babies and treat sick loved ones. Sometimes, a doctor is so admired that she becomes the family doctor and treats members of the family for generations. Excellent Health Insurance If you or a member of your family gets sick, it may be tempting to treat them yourself. However, doing so is a violation of medical ethics. The good news is that, if you are a doctor employed by a hospital, it likely provides excellent health insurance coverage for you and your entire household. As a result, your family can seek medical attention without a large medical bill. source
