Race and gender differences in general internists' annual incomes

Specialty, work effort, and female gender have been shown to be associated with physicians' annual incomes; however, racial differences in physician incomes have not been examined.

To determine the influence of race and gender on General Internists' annual incomes after controlling for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics.

Retrospective survey-weighted analysis of survey data.

One thousand seven hundred and forty-eight actively practicing General Internists who responded to the American Medical Association's annual survey of physicians between 1992 and 2001.

Work effort, provider and practice characteristics, and adjusted annual incomes for white male, black male, white female, and black female General Internists.

Compared with white males, white females completed 22% fewer patient visits and worked 12.5% fewer hours, while black males and females reported completing 17% and 2.8% more visits and worked 15% and 5.5% more annual hours, respectively. After adjustment for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics, black males' mean annual income was 188,831 dollars or 7,193 dollars (4%) lower than that for white males (95% CI: -31,054 dollars, 16,669 dollars; P=.6); white females' was 159,415 dollars or 36,609 dollars (19%) lower (95% CI: -25,585 dollars, -47,633 dollars; P<.001); and black females' was 139,572 dollars or 56,452 dollars (29%) lower (95% CI: -93,383 dollars, -19,520 dollars; P=.003).

During the 1990s, both black race and female gender were associated with lower annual incomes among General Internists. Differences for females were substantial. These findings warrant further exploration.