Gender differences in diagnostic radiologists' annual incomes.

Area of Science:

• Medical Economics
• Radiology
• Physician Compensation

Background:

• Physician income is influenced by specialty, work effort, and gender.
• Previous research has not thoroughly examined gender-based income differences at the diagnostic radiology subspecialty level, controlling for other factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between provider gender and annual income among diagnostic radiologists.
• To control for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics in this analysis.

Main Methods:

• A linear regression model was used.
• Data were collected from 491 actively practicing white diagnostic radiologists during the 1990s.
• The model controlled for work effort, provider, and practice characteristics.

Main Results:

• Female radiologists worked 2% fewer hours annually than males.
• Female radiologists had fewer years of practice and were more likely to be employees.
• After adjustments, female radiologists' mean annual income was $80,090 (23%) lower than that of white males.

Conclusions:

• Female gender was associated with lower annual incomes for diagnostic radiologists in the 1990s.
• Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to this income gap.