A key reason for the shortage of family doctors is pay. How their average annual salary compares to other specialties:

Primary care doctors: $149,250*

OB/GYNs: $210,000

General surgeons: $225,000

Cardiologist (noninvasive): $325,000

Orthopedic surgeons: $300,000

Gastroenterologists: $300,000

Plastic surgeons: $400,000

Cardiologists (invasive): $400,000

Source: Medical Economics

*Primary care includes general practitioners, pediatricians, family physicians and internists

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