Embarking on a career as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a commitment to a lifetime of learning, healing, and patient care. It's also a path that offers significant financial rewards and robust job security. For those considering this demanding yet fulfilling profession, a key question is: "What is the salary for a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?"
The short answer is that a DO's earning potential is excellent, with most physicians earning well over $200,000 annually. However, the full picture is more nuanced, with top-tier specialists in high-demand areas earning upwards of $500,000 or more. This article will break down the salary expectations for a DO, the factors that drive compensation, and the bright future of this growing profession.
What Does a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Do?
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a fully licensed and practicing physician in the United States. Like their Allopathic (MD) counterparts, DOs diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in all medical specialties. They complete four years of medical school followed by a residency program lasting three to seven years.
The key distinction of osteopathic medicine is its patient-centered, holistic philosophy. DOs receive additional, specialized training in the musculoskeletal system and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)—a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. This "whole person" approach to medicine is a core tenet of their practice, whether they are working in family medicine or as a neurosurgeon.
It is critical to understand that for the purposes of salary, licensure, and practice rights, DOs and MDs are considered equivalent. A DO specializing in cardiology earns a cardiologist's salary; a DO in pediatrics earns a pediatrician's salary.
Average Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Salary
When analyzing physician salaries, it's helpful to look at multiple data sources, as figures can vary based on methodology. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which groups DOs and MDs together under "Physicians and Surgeons," provides a strong baseline.
- According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median pay for physicians and surgeons was greater than $239,200 per year as of May 2022. This figure represents the midpoint, meaning half of all physicians earned more than this amount.
Salary aggregators provide a more detailed range based on user-reported data:
- Salary.com reports the average Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine salary in the United States is $224,905 as of May 2024, with a typical range falling between $194,775 and $251,219.
- Payscale notes that the average base salary for a professional with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is approximately $211,000 per year as of June 2024.
These figures represent the broad average across all specialties and experience levels. The most significant variations in salary come from the factors we'll explore next.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your final compensation as a DO is not a single number but a dynamic figure influenced by several key decisions you make throughout your career.
Level of Education and Post-Doctoral Training
While the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is the terminal degree, your post-doctoral training is what truly shapes your earning potential. After medical school, all physicians must complete a residency program.
- Residency: During this 3-7 year period, you are considered a physician-in-training. Resident salaries are modest, typically ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on the institution and location.
- Fellowship: After residency, some DOs pursue a fellowship for sub-specialization (e.g., a fellowship in cardiology after an internal medicine residency). This additional 1-3 years of training leads to expertise in a specific niche and almost always results in a significantly higher salary upon completion. The real jump in earnings occurs after you complete all training and become a board-certified "attending" physician.
Years of Experience
Once you are a practicing attending physician, experience directly correlates with income. An experienced DO with an established patient base and a strong professional reputation can command a higher salary or generate more revenue for a private practice. A physician moving from early-career (0-5 years post-residency) to mid-career (10+ years) can expect their compensation to increase substantially.
Geographic Location
Where you choose to practice has a major impact on your salary. This is often driven by supply and demand.
- High-Demand, Lower-Cost Areas: States in the Southeast and Midwest often offer higher-than-average physician compensation to attract and retain talent. According to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2023, states like Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma are among the highest paying for physicians.
- Major Metropolitan vs. Rural Areas: Rural and underserved communities frequently offer competitive salaries, loan forgiveness programs, and signing bonuses to fill critical vacancies. Conversely, while major coastal cities like New York and San Francisco have high salaries, the extremely high cost of living can result in lower discretionary income.
Practice Setting (Company Type)
The type of environment you work in is a primary determinant of your salary structure and potential.
- Private Practice (Physician-Owned): According to the Medscape report, self-employed physicians (those who own their practice) earn more on average than employed physicians—$385,000 vs. $344,000 in 2023. This comes with the responsibilities of running a business, including managing overhead, billing, and staff.
- Hospital-Employed or Large Health System: This is an increasingly common model offering a stable, predictable salary, benefits, and freedom from administrative burdens.
- Academic Medical Center: Salaries in academia are often slightly lower than in private practice. However, the benefits include opportunities for teaching, research, and often a better work-life balance.
- Government: Working for an entity like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the military provides a structured salary, exceptional job security, and excellent federal benefits.
Area of Specialization
This is the single most significant factor in determining a physician's salary. Compensation is directly tied to the procedures performed, the complexity of care, and market demand for that specialty.
Data from the Doximity 2023 Physician Compensation Report and Medscape highlight this disparity:
- Top-Earning Specialties (Average Annual Compensation >$500,000):
- Neurosurgery ($750k+)
- Thoracic Surgery ($700k+)
- Orthopedic Surgery ($624k)
- Plastic Surgery ($571k)
- Cardiology ($544k)
- Primary Care & Lower-Earning Specialties (Still Excellent Salaries):
- Family Medicine ($273k)
- Pediatrics ($260k)
- Psychiatry ($309k)
- Internal Medicine ($294k)
A DO who becomes an orthopedic surgeon will earn an orthopedic surgeon's salary, while a DO who becomes a pediatrician will earn a pediatrician's salary. The degree (DO vs. MD) does not dictate the pay—the specialty does.
Job Outlook
The future for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine is exceptionally bright. The BLS projects that employment for physicians and surgeons will grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032, which is as fast as the average for all occupations.
This demand is driven by several factors, including:
- A growing and aging national population requiring more medical care.
- A wave of current physicians nearing retirement age.
- The increasing recognition and integration of DOs into every facet of the healthcare system.
The osteopathic profession is one of the fastest-growing medical fields, ensuring a high degree of job security for graduates for decades to come.
Conclusion: A Path to a Rewarding Career
Choosing to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a decision to pursue a career that is both personally and financially rewarding. While the national average salary provides a useful benchmark, your ultimate earning potential is in your hands.
Key Takeaways:
- A DO is a fully licensed physician whose salary is on par with their MD colleagues.
- The average salary for a DO is well over $200,000, but this is highly variable.
- The most significant drivers of income are your chosen specialty, practice setting (private vs. employed), and geographic location.
- The job outlook is strong and stable, with consistent demand for physicians across the country.
For prospective students and medical professionals, a DO degree opens the door to a secure, respected, and high-impact career with the potential for exceptional financial success.