Total compensation for medical doctors can vary hugely. I suspect that the article was done using physician salaries -- that is, those employed by hospitals, c

Total compensation for medical doctors can vary hugely. I suspect that the article was done using physician salaries -- that is, those employed by hospitals, clinics and private practices (i.e. the non-partners). The way physicians make top dollar is private practice. While not as lucrative on average as it used to be, it can still generate outsized incomes. Many medical doctors make well over $500k as a partner in a private practice. Of course, the hours can be insane and the risks are higher as you're running a business and corporate hospital squeeze associated practices. Finally, as odd as it may seem, smaller hospitals in second tier areas can sometimes pay more than top hospitals in tier one cities. Why? Simple, because few doctors want to go there.