Physician compensation rates and gender disparities in interventional spine and pain practices: Insights from a Spine Intervention society survey study

Summary of background data

Physician compensation in the U.S. varies widely across specialties. Little is known about compensation patterns among U.S. interventional pain and spine physicians. Understanding these disparities is essential to address inequities and inform career decisions for physicians.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the compensation landscape of U.S. interventional pain and spine physicians, identify key factors influencing compensation, and investigate the role of gender and practice experience in shaping salary outcomes.

Methods

A survey was conducted among members of the International Pain and Spine Interventional Society (IPSIS), focusing on demographics, clinical practice characteristics, and compensation details. A Poisson regression model was used to identify predictors of physician compensation.

Results

Survey respondents were primarily specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) (76.1 %) and had completed fellowship training (84.8 %). Compensation ranged widely, with most physicians earning between $250,000 and $450,000. Four main predictors of compensation were identified: years in practice, compensation model, gender, and first job salary. Physicians with 3–20 years in practice (vs. 0–2 years) and higher first job salaries earned significantly more, while female physicians earned 29 % less than their male counterparts.

Discussion/conclusion

This study highlights notable trends in compensation among U.S. interventional pain and spine physicians, with years of practice and first job salary as significant predictors. Female gender was associated with a 29 % lower income compared to male counterparts. These findings suggest the need for further exploration into the factors that drive compensation in this field and for initiatives aimed at addressing gender disparities to ensure more equitable compensation.