| Endocrinologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Job Outlook | 7% |
An Endocrinologist diagnoses and treats hormone level disorders caused by malfunctioning of endocrine glands in the patients.
To become an endocrinologist, you need to undergo the study related to endocrine glands, such as thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, etc.
Endocrinologists generally specialize in the treatment of disorder in hormonal secretion, weight issues, growth disorders, irregular metabolism and diabetes.
Since from the last few years, there has been an increase in hormonal diseases largely due to the effects of unhygienic lifestyle and pollution.
As a result, the demand for good and efficient Endocrinologists has gone up.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become an Endocrinologist
Endocrinologists are doctors, so you’ll have to to earn a degree in medical science in order to build a career in this field.
Almost all the medical schools offer M.D.
or D.O.
degree to students who pass the final exam with a minimum qualifying grades after studying medical science for four years.The education requirements to become an endocrinologist includes:
- 4 years of undergraduate program resulting in Bachelor degree
- 4 year of medical schooling resulting in medical degree from an M.D program
- 3 years of residency training in internal medicine
- 2-3 years of internship in endocrinology
Once the student earns a D.O.
or M.D.
degree, they can start practicing as a regular physician either on their own or at any hospital or clinic.
Formal training is also imparted to the students during their medical college days.
Those who want to build a successful career in Endocrinology, licensing and certification are absolutely essential.
Students need to pass all the three levels of the United States Medical Licensing Exam before they can have a license in endocrinology.
For those who want to become Endocrinologist, the licensing and the certification part is the most important.
Practicing Endocrinologists have to renew their license after every seven to ten years, depending on the rules and regulations of the state.
Once the license is obtained, one can start a career as a professional endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist Job Description
An endocrinologist examines patients and looks for symptoms of hormonal imbalance and other disorders like osteoporosis, diabetes or thyroid problems.
Accordingly, they prescribe the right medicine, therapy or even surgery, if necessary.
Sometimes, endocrinologists ask patients to get certain tests done to get a clear picture of the patient’s condition.
They also evaluate sugar level and insulin in patients, if need be, and gives patients an explanation of their condition and accordingly advises treatment.
Endocrinologists also offer counseling on diet and other preventative measures for hypertension and cholesterol etc.
If working in a hospital, an endocrinologist is accountable to a medical director.
Endocrinologist Salary and Career Path
Building a career in the field of medical science is always lucrative especially with the increasing demand for quality healthcare services.
Most of the endocrinologists are now employed by hospitals and clinics, though are also a few who practice on their own.
This job is a test of one’s skill and knowledge in medical procedures and on the other it is a career that allows the professional to have quite a high level of income at the end of the month.
If you want to opt for a job in the healthcare sector, you must have knowledge on how to become an Endocrinologist.
On an average an Endocrinologist has to work around forty hours a week, though it always depends on the pressure of the work.
Endocrinologists are well paid and can easily secure $240,000 per year on an average.
The BLS mentioned that the normal salary (as on May 2012) for physicians and surgeons is $184,820.
However, the earning largely depends on the experience as well as the reputation of the doctor.
Hence, more experienced you are better is your chance of having a good income from this job.
There are endocrinologists who earn up to $355,000 per year on an average.
According to Medical Group Management Association, the average annual income of endocrinologist is $241,564.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$245,450Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $402,000 |
| Arizona | - NA - |
| Arkansas | $175,810 |
| California | $275,110 |
| Colorado | $275,870 |
| Connecticut | $280,260 |
| District of Columbia | - NA - |
| Florida | $233,010 |
| Georgia | $337,610 |
| Hawaii | $# |
| Idaho | $267,940 |
| Illinois | $226,750 |
| Indiana | $282,410 |
| Iowa | $244,890 |
| Kentucky | $283,180 |
| Louisiana | - NA - |
| Maine | $290,530 |
| Maryland | $252,330 |
| Massachusetts | $238,050 |
| Michigan | $223,280 |
| Minnesota | $294,060 |
| Mississippi | $325,090 |
| Missouri | $224,930 |
| Montana | $260,000 |
| Nebraska | $202,460 |
| Nevada | $202,000 |
| New Hampshire | $233,890 |
| New Jersey | $237,520 |
| New Mexico | $270,750 |
| New York | $200,320 |
| North Carolina | $261,770 |
| Ohio | $205,760 |
| Oklahoma | $257,750 |
| Oregon | $267,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $280,130 |
| Rhode Island | $221,950 |
| South Carolina | $232,380 |
| South Dakota | $316,690 |
| Tennessee | $155,070 |
| Texas | $224,640 |
| Utah | $206,020 |
| Vermont | $240,770 |
| Virginia | $251,540 |
| Washington | $308,930 |
| Wisconsin | $304,150 |
| Guam | $# |
| Puerto Rico | $121,430 |
The top earning state in the field is Alaska, where the average salary is $402,000.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the glands.
Endocrinologists study the metabolism and the biochemical processes that make the body function and treat a variety of conditions and diseases, such as hormone imbalances, thyroid disorders or infertility.
Endocrinologists often team up with other physicians and healthcare professionals to treat patients.
Like all doctors, endocrinologists need many years of training but also a variety of personal skills, such as problem-solving skills, compassion and communication skills.
How much does an endocrinologist make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for physicians and surgeons, in general, was equal to or greater than $208,000 as of May 2018.
Salaries in this field vary depending on a wide range of factors, including the physician’s level of experience, the region, the employer and the specialty.
How much does it cost to become an endocrinologist?
In order to be able to practice as an endocrinologist, you will need many years of training and a state license.
First, you have to get your bachelor’s degree followed by four years of medical school.
Tuition costs vary depending on the school you choose and the program itself.
For example, pre-med programs can cost you anywhere between $15,000 and more than $60,000 a year.
Public medical schools cost somewhere in the range of $35,000 a year for in-state students and more around $60,000 a year for out-of-state students; private schools can be more expensive.
Medical education can be expensive but there are many loans and scholarships that can help you cover the costs.
What is the demand for endocrinologists?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for physicians and surgeons, in general, is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028.
However, job opportunities vary widely depending on the specialty and the region and the demand for physicians’ services is also dependent upon the changes in health coverage policies.
Endocrinologists will still be needed to help patients who suffer from hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and other gland problems.
Physicians who are willing to practice in underserved areas should have better job prospects.
Endocrinologists who specialize in treating diseases that affect aging baby boomers will also be in-demand.
How long does it take to become an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists need a medical degree, which can be obtained after four years of medical school.
To be eligible to enroll at a medical school a bachelor’s degree is required.
After graduating from medical school endocrinologists spend 3-4 years in residency training that covers internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology.
Afterward, they spend 2-3 years in endocrinology training.
In conclusion, endocrinologists need at least 13-15 years of training beyond high school.
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