Career Overview
Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
Also Known As
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- OBGYN (Obstetrician and Gynecologist)
- OBGYN Physician (Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician)
- Physician
Alternate Job Titles
- Doctor
- GYN (Gynecologist)
- GYN Physician (Gynecology Physician)
- Gynecologic Oncologist
- Gynecological Oncologist
- Hospitalist
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician (MFM Physician)
- MD (Medical Doctor)
- OB (Obstetrician)
- OB Specialist (Obstetrics Specialist)
- OB/GYN (Obstetrician Gynecologist)
- OB/GYN Generalist (Obstetrics and Gynecology Generalist)
- OB/GYN Hospitalist (Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospitalist)
- OB/GYN Physician (Obstetrics Gynecology Physician)
- OBGYN (Obstetrician and Gynecologist)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Treat diseases of female organs.
- Care for and treat women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
- Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
- Perform cesarean sections or other surgical procedures as needed to preserve patients' health and deliver babies safely.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical histories, reports, or examination results.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
- Prescribe or administer therapy, medication, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Empathy
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Adson forceps
- Allis forceps
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Babcock forceps
- Baby scales
- Bandage scissors
- Bipolar electrosurgical forceps
- Blood collection syringes
- Cauterizing equipment
- Cervical retractors
- Colposcopes
- Cord clamps
- Cryosurgical units
- Curved needle holders
- Debakey forceps
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $94,750 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 19,900
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $236,350
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Pediatricians, General
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $210,130
Family Medicine Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $238,380
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.