Salary Equity in Academic Radiology Relative to Other Clinical Specialties

Equity in faculty compensation in U.S. academic radiology physicians relative to other specialties is not well known.

The aim of this study is to assess salary equity in U.S. academic radiology physicians at different ranks relative to other clinical specialties.

The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Faculty Salary Survey was used to collect information for full-time faculty at U.S. medical schools. Financial compensation data were collected for 2023 for faculty with MD or equivalent degree in medical specialties, stratified by gender and rank.

The AAMC Faculty Salary Survey data for 2023 included responses for 97,224 faculty members in clinical specialties, with 5847 faculty members in Radiology departments. In radiology, compared to men (n = 3839), the women faculty members (n = 1763) had a lower median faculty compensation by 6% at the rank of Assistant Professor, 3% for Associate Professors, 4% for Professors and 6% for Section Chief positions. Surgery had the highest difference in median compensation with 21%, 24%, 22% and 19% lower faculty compensation, respectively, for women faculty members at corresponding ranks. Pathology had the lowest percent difference (<1%) in median compensation for all professor ranks. Salary inequity in radiology was lower compared to most other specialties. From assistant to full professors, all other clinical specialties except Pathology and Psychiatry, had a greater salary inequity than Radiology.

The salary inequity in academic radiology faculty is lower than most other specialties. Further efforts should be made to reduce salary inequities as broader efforts to provide a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

Salary inequity in academic radiology faculty is lower than most other specialties.