25 Best States For Obstetricians and Gynecologists

If you’re going baby crazy then you will be gaga for the best states for obstetricians and gynecologists!

All of my friends are having kids. That is not a weird new fiction book I plan to sell in Brooklyn coffee shops. That is a fact, of life. So take this down, Blair–and Trudy and even you, Mrs. Garrett. You think I can’t just continue to list off characters from The Facts of Life? Think again, George Clooney’s character who was also named George!

Still, I digress, just ever so slightly. But all of my friends are having kids. One had one yesterday. She’s very cute. I won’t tell you her name, but her middle name is a month of the year. It’s not the one you’re thinking of either. She weights 9 whole pounds. You know what I have that weighs 9lbs? The cat of my wife who I am, at best, on civil terms with. Another friend has a baby a few months ago, he is almost 11lbs! She is not a large person and I just have to wonder what that experience was like–not enough to partake in it. I’m more of a “root you on with a sign” type of labor companion.

When my sisters had their babies, they have 4 in total right now, one of them had all c-sections which is much more common in the U.S. than it was decades earlier. According to the CDC roughly 32% of American births in 2015 were c-sections.   C-sections are now routine procedures for doctors, and often unavoidable especially depending on the circumstances of the birth. However, this highlights that things can change midstream in the process of delivering a baby. That is why you want to have a great doctor.

OBGYNS don’t simply help people give birth, though that would definitely be enough–helping to bring new life in the world is, you know, kind of a big deal. They also help women monitor and treat a variety of health conditions including cancer. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that there are a lot of infants in my life and obgyns are good people.

According to Learn.Org, “Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) are medical professionals who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth and the female reproductive system.” Whether your baby is 6lbs like I was, or 11lbs like my friend’s Jack, or 14lb Loyalty–the biggest baby born in the U.S. last year–these docs will happily greet your baby and do everything in their power to keep you healthy while doing so.  They will also help you throughout pregnancy and before you get there. These physicians typically work in hospitals and health centers, and would most likely have a lying-in clinic. They are also licensed to do minor surgeries and to treat diseases such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, etc.

We should note that obstetricians are different from gynecologists. The former is usually specializing in pregnancy, maternity, and after-birth care, while the latter specializes in the overall female reproductive system. When a physician is an OB-GYN, it means she or he does both. Their job description includes examining patients, treating diseases, and caring for pregnant women. Women who are still trying to get pregnant also go to their trusted OB-GYNs for consultation or just to say hi! Okay but really don’t do that, they are busy.

To be an obstetrician and gynecologist takes hard work, as there are tons of challenges one has to deal with before actually practicing the profession. They have to go through the same ordeal as any other physicians, which means they have to take rigorous training programs after a tedious medical course journey in a college or university. The residency and training they have to deal with for specialization require both patience and passion for the job. Apart from really loving the job, people who aspire to be OB-GYNs should have exceptional communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. They are also expected to be compassionate, detail oriented, and be physically fit for the demands of the job, i.e. good at catching slippery babies.

Needless to say, being an obstetrician and gynecologist is not for the faint of heart. For one, the residency and specialization training could last from three to seven years. The long years of training and studying, long hours on the job, and the stresses could be too much for someone who does not really love what he or she does.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most obstetricians and gynecologists in America work in physician’s offices, which could mean most of them are working in private practices. No wonder, since it is known that they earn more that way instead of just being an employee in a surgical center or hospital.

The demands of the job could make you lose your sanity. The question is, is it actually worth it? According to BLS, the annual median wages earned by obstetricians and gynecologists reached $222,400 in 2015. That’s around $106.92 per hour. So yes, yes it is totally worth it. That is a lot of money, trust me, I wouldn’t know.

Do you think any of the 25 Best States for Family and General Practitioners would make it to this list, too?

Now, in looking for the best states for obstetricians and gynecologists, we have to consider three points of value. First is each state’s annual median wages for these professionals, and the employment rates they have for them. Both data were sourced from BLS. The other point we used in the criteria is the cost of living index, which we derived from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Each ranking was averaged, which brought us to the results you’ll see as you read on.

Cost of living and employment rates are both just as important as the wages. The two will definitely determine how much your net pay would be, after you take out your living expenses. Of course, you also have to consider how friendly the state is for this profession. To prove the point, Maine topped the list of the highest paying American states for obstetricians and gynecologists, offering them average wages of $279,390, but it did not make the final list of the best ones for these professionals.

Without further ado let’s see our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists!

25. New Hampshire

Annual median wage: $260,230

Cost of living: 119.2

Employment: 130

The number of hospitals in New Hampshire reflects their fair employment rates. Then again, that is not to say you cannot practice your profession here. There might be plenty of maternity clinics around the state as well. New Hampshire pays the fourth highest wages for obstetricians and gynecologists, so you know they value medical professionals really well. The downside is the cost of living they have, although you could make compromises to still sustain a living with what you earn. And now let’s see what else we have in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists.

24. North Dakota

Annual median wage: $257,410

Cost of living: 98.9

Employment: 40

North Dakota would probably have topped the list if only they had higher employment rates. The wages they offer to obstetricians and gynecologists ranks fifth in the country, and they have an ideal cost of living rates that do not even reach past the national average. When you earn well and have to spend so little for your living expenses, you can say you’ve hit the jackpot. If you have the means to put up a clinic in North Dakota, and a tolerance for snow, you’ll probably love being an OB-GYN there.

23. Maryland

Annual median wage: $255,980

Cost of living: 125

Employment: 260

There are only 73 recorded hospitals in Maryland, the next one in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists, but those medical centers prove to be among the best in the country. We know of this state as being an expensive one, which also meant they pay their workers well. You could probably say that even when they have an expensive cost of living prices, obstetricians and gynecologists could very easily sustain a decent living here. Wondering why they did not rank better in this list? There are states with a better balance between wages and expenses.

22. Massachusetts

Annual median wage: $249,510

Cost of living: 134.7

Employment: 440

In looking for any job, Massachusetts, the number 22 in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists would most probably top anyone’s list. It is popular for offering really good paychecks for any professional and also have impressively high employment rates. Massachusetts is among the most expensive states in America, too, which kind of lessens its appeal to families. Everything is generally more expensive there than in most states, which would mean some sacrifices to really enjoy your hard earned money. However, with 116 hospitals, most of which meets the international standards, this state is certainly one of the best for medical experts in these two fields.

21. Washington

Annual median wage: $227,820

Cost of living: 107.1

Employment: 570

We are continuing our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists with Washington that has 107 hospitals on record, making them a great state to practice a medical profession. The wages they offer to obstetricians and gynecologists reach past the national average, which could explain why more and more doctors want to make the move to Washington. The cost of living expenses they have hovers just around the average, not too high yet not too low. House rent, food, and other basic needs would not cost you too much, so you can enjoy your wages more.

20. Kansas

Annual median wage: $214,450

Cost of living: 90.4

Employment: 130

Up next on our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists we have Kansas that has 161 hospitals on file, so why do its employment rates for obstetricians and gynecologists look bleak? This could mean that most of them practice on their own private clinics. On the other hand, it could also mean they need more OB-GYNs in the state. Could this be a sign for you to move there? They pay not quite much when you compare it with other states, but with their very low cost of living rates, how can you even say no?

19. Alabama

Annual median wage: $216,100

Cost of living: 91.2

Employment: 180

With 131 hospitals in Alabama and just 180 OB-GYNs, they could still be looking for more. The demand must be high, as their population is said to be growing consistently. Why could anyone resist working in Alabama? Well, aside from preferring to live elsewhere. Their wages might not even reach the average, but when you factor in how much you have to spend on a daily basis, it will still feel like you are paid more than most states. Everything is cheaper here than in Maryland, which pays more to these professionals–and also might be the first time in history that Maryland and Alabama were compared on any level–so why not give it a try?

18. Virginia

Annual median wage: $216,030

Cost of living: 100.2

Employment: 990

Only 76 hospitals in Virginia, the next one in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists, and they score really high on the employment rates for obstetricians and gynecologists. It could be simply because they have more medical professionals working in their own clinics rather than in big hospitals. They welcome professionals by paying them high salaries. Okay, so it does not reach the national average. However, the cost of living expenses they have would not hurt your budget as much as other states would. That still makes this state among the best ones to be a doctor.

17. Minnesota

Annual median wage: $229,100

Cost of living: 101.1

Employment: 580

There are 145 hospitals in Minnesota, making the state very rich in terms of medical professions. The wages they pay to obstetricians and gynecologists are more than average, but the value sure feels beyond that because of the cost of living rates they have. Minnesota is not necessarily a cheap state, but their living expenses hang pretty tight on the national average. That alone is enough for it to make it to the list.

16. Utah

Annual median wage: $244,500

Cost of living: 92.8

Employment: 190

Utah has just 53 hospitals on file, but the employment rates they have for obstetricians and gynecologists seem to be more than that. It could be because most of them have their own practices and clinics in the state, which honestly makes more sense than working in a hospital as an employee. Utah has quite a good balance between people’s wages and expenses, making them deserve being one of the best states for obstetricians and gynecologists.

15. Illinois

Annual median wage: $217,900

Cost of living: 95.5

Employment: 710

This state has 221 hospitals in total, so if you’re looking for a state with a high demand for obstetricians and gynecologists, or any other medical professional for that matter, Illinois is one of your safest bets. They have an ideally low cost of living rate, which means cheaper rent, cheaper food, maybe even cheaper scrubs! The more affordable your living expenses are, the more you can enjoy what you worked hard for. Illinois does not skimp on their wages, too, in case you thought they do cheaper wages.

14. Oklahoma

Annual median wage: $245,540

Cost of living: 88.6

Employment: 120

At the 14th spot in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists is Oklahoma that has 157 hospitals on file, we all might be wondering why they have relatively low employment rates for obstetricians and gynecologists. As we have said before, it could be either they practice out of hospitals or the state needs more of them. Whichever the case may be, the fact that living expenses in Oklahoma are cheaper than most states in the US already make it a great one to live and work in. Another great thing about this state is that the wages they offer these professionals make it past the average. Can you just imagine how ideal that situation is?

13. Missouri

Annual median wage: $229,110

Cost of living: 90.8

Employment: 250

Having 150 hospitals makes Missouri, the next one in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists a great state to be an obstetrician and gynecologist, or any doctor for that matter. What makes the place even better for these people is that they pay very well for experience and skills. The more experience you have as a doctor, the bigger your paycheck would be. Missouri not only scored well on the wages, they also top the cost of living charts in America–being the third most affordable state in the country. If you get a job in Missouri, what more could you ask for? Two jobs, perhaps?

12. Michigan

Annual median wage: $188,070

Cost of living: 88.2

Employment: 470

We are continuing our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists with Michigan that has 176 hospitals. That could mean they need more obstetricians and gynecologists if you want to factor in their employment rates. Nevertheless, you can always put up your own clinic if you decide you really want to practice your profession in this state. More and more people are moving to Michigan because of their low cost of living expenses. It is so low basically anyone can sustain a living there. The wages they have for OB-GYNs might be among the lowest in the country, but can you imagine how much you are going to save in the long run?

11.  Arkansas

Annual median wage: $240,950

Cost of living: 88.5

Employment: 130

With 107 hospitals in this state number 11 in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists, there could be more jobs available for obstetricians and gynecologists, as long as people see the value of working here than in any other state. For starters, Arkansas pays wages that reach past the national average. You will have a budget that would not have problems like being hugely slashed with the expensive cost of living expenses. Basic needs like food and house rent do not cost much here, and with a pay as high as this one, you’d most definitely enjoy the fruits of your labor.

10. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $228,800

Cost of living: 89.8

Employment: 260

This state has 157 hospitals, which could equate to tons of job opportunities not only for obstetricians and gynecologists but also other medical professionals. Tennessee has always been popular for being an affordable state, luring more and more people to move there, more especially those raising a family. With a low cost of living rates and wages hovering around the national average, being a doctor in Tennessee seems to hold so much promise.

9. Texas

Annual median wage: $172,070

Cost of living: 90.7

Employment: 1,530

Texas, the next one in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists has the second highest employment rates for obstetricians and gynecologists, next to California. They have 579 hospitals in total, making Texas have the highest number of hospitals in America. This explains why they have lower wages as compared to other states. The demand is not as high as the others since most doctors are there already. Even so, working in Texas still appeals to people because of how sustainable living there is.

8. Nebraska

Annual median wage: $252,660

Cost of living: 91.3

Employment: 180

There are only 97 hospitals in Nebraska, which kind of explains why their employment rates for obstetricians and gynecologists do not impress much. However, the impression is improved well when you see how well they balance wages and expenses. Nebraska is popular for being an affordable state, which means almost anything there practically costs to nothing. Earning this much would mean you could basically afford anything, does that sound good to you as it does to me?

7. Ohio

Annual median wage: $226,860

Cost of living: 93

Employment: 1,180

With 212 hospitals in total, there is no doubt that Ohio is one of the best states for obstetricians and gynecologists. The state has the fifth-highest employment rates for these professionals, which only shows how great it is to practice your profession in Ohio. As always, the low cost of living expenses this state has been known for made it possible for it to make the list. Not only that, as their wages actually cost more than most expensive states.

6. Arizona

Annual median wage: $256,150

Cost of living: 98.1

Employment: 380

Arizona’s hospitals reach just a small 99 count, but that does not mean it is not a good state for obstetricians and gynecologists. Their employment rates prove just how high the possibility is in Arizona. Most of them probably chose to work in their own private clinics instead of being employed in hospitals. Their wages look very promising, especially after you consider their very low cost of living rates.

5. North Carolina

Annual median wage: $238,500

Cost of living: 94.2

Employment: 680

There are 144 hospitals in total in North Carolina, the next one in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists, but the employment rates they have seem to be worth more than that. Again, this is most definitely because most doctors choose to do their practice privately. What makes this state rank higher than most American states is its high wages and low cost of living. It is quite rare for popularly known affordable states to offer wages that reach past the average, which North Carolina did for obstetricians and gynecologists. Why would you even look elsewhere to practice?

4. Florida

Annual median wage: $243,560

Cost of living: 99

Employment: 1,340

The number 4 in our list of best states for obstetricians and gynecologists is Florida that has 258 hospitals in total, no wonder their employment rates are quite impressive. Apart from being a state that is friendly to medical professionals, what made Florida a part of this list is its high annual median wage. Their salaries for obstetricians and gynecologists rank higher than most American states. They also have cost of living rates that stay below average. You can expect to enjoy what you earned, what more can you ask for?

3. Mississippi

Annual median wage: $270,510

Cost of living: 86

Employment: 250

There are 117 hospitals in Mississippi, proving how great this state is for any doctor. If only they had higher employment rates than what they already have, this state might have finished first in this list. If you are looking for a state where there is a great balance between what you earn and what you should spend, Mississippi sure is one of your best bets. In case you still don’t know by now, it is America’s most affordable state, where everything costs to nothing. What’s more, they have the third highest wages for OB-GYNs. The only question is, why are you still not making the move to Mississippi?

2. Kentucky

Annual median wage: $253,220

Cost of living: 90.8

Employment: 310

With only 130 hospitals, but that high employment rates, it is certain that Kentucky has room for more obstetricians and gynecologists, more especially if you’d choose to practice privately. Like Mississippi, Kentucky has a low cost of living rates that would attract you to put up a clinic and live there. Not only is everything cheap there, they also offer high wages for medical professionals.

1. Georgia

Annual median wage: $253,550

Cost of living: 91.4

Employment: 720

There are 185 hospitals in Georgia, quite low when you compare it to the employment rates they have for obstetricians and gynecologists. It offers one of the eighth-highest wages in the country for these medical professionals, but it sure feels even more than that when you live in this affordable state. Where you can afford everything and earn so much, isn’t Georgia so deserving of the number one spot?

These states all look very promising and seem to have so much potential not only for obstetricians and gynecologists but for other doctors as well. In looking for the best place to be, you should make sure the place would not cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re really convinced to work in expensive states, you have to be ready to compromise. Whatever the case may be, make sure you check out the best states for obstetricians and gynecologists before jumping on the plane to move.