10 Top States For Doctors To Practice

A recent Becker’s ASC Review reported on a Medscape study by Shelly Reese, listing the 10 top states for doctors to practice. The ranking was based on various criteria like economics and practice environment. All 50 states in the union and the District of Columbia were evaluated to discover where doctors thrive most. Based on that report, here is a list of the Top Ten States for Doctors to practice.

1. Idaho

Leading the United States in population growth, Idaho needs doctors to keep up with its healthcare demands. The “Gem State” has the lowest physician density in the country.

Relevant statistics

• According to the United States Census Bureau, Idaho’s total population as of 2020 is around 1.8 million.
• The state’s median household income is $66,474.
• According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer, Idaho has had 7,381 violent and 37,589 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 8% of the population does not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average physician’s salary in Idaho is $195,271.
• As of 2021, the average cost of living in Idaho is $39,739.
• Idaho ranks 40th among the states with the highest tax burdens.

Practice environment

• According to the National Practitioner Data Bank, Idaho has seen 3,075 Adverse Action Reports and 1,243 Medical Malpractice Reports since 1990. In 2022, there have been a combined total of 45.
• Idaho’s total medical malpractice payout for the past 30 years is approximately $432 million.
• As of August 2022, 3,222 physicians are practicing in the state.
• US News & World Report ranked Idaho as the 24th best state for health care.

2. Georgia

Georgia’s low burnout rate and cost of living make it appealing to many doctors. Despite rising liability premiums, the “Peach State” can satisfy doctors who want to work in a quiet suburb or metropolitan sprawl.

Relevant statistics

Georgia’s total population as of 2020 is ten million+.

• The state’s median household income is $66,559.
• Georgia has had 47,349 violent crimes and 283,050 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 6% of the population does not have health care.

Economics

• The average physician’s salary in Georgia is $151,646, the lowest in the country.
• The average cost of living in Georgia is $43,482.
• Georgia has the nation’s 36th heaviest tax burden.

Practice environment

• Georgia has 26,052 Adverse Action, and Medical Malpractice Reports over three decades. As of this writing, there have been 589 in 2022.
• The state’s total medical malpractice payout for the past 30 years is just over $4.6 billion.
• 26,637 physicians practice in the state.
• Georgia is ranked the 43rd best state for health care.

3. South Dakota

Affordable housing, excellent schools, and more make South Dakota one of the best places to live. Doctors can find low tax burdens and medical malpractice payouts attractive.

Relevant statistics

• As of 2020, 886,667 people live in South Dakota.
• The state’s median household income is $66,143.
• Over the last two years, South Dakota has dealt with 5,768 violent and 32,450 property crime incidents.
• 5% of North Dakota residents do not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average physician in South Dakota makes $199,022 per year.
• The “Mount Rushmore State’s” average cost of living is $47,740.
• South Dakota ranks 44th among the states with the highest tax burdens.

Practice environment

• The state has had 3,253 Adverse Action and Medical Malpractice Reports since 1990. 2022 has only seen the state deal with 54.
• The state’s 30-year medical malpractice payout total is approximately $334 million.
• There are 2,114 active physicians in the state.
• South Dakota is the 29th best state for health care.

4. Texas

The “Lone Star State” offers doctors plenty of opportunities. Having one of the lowest rates of physicians per capita, Texas can be a lucrative market for doctors of many specialties.

Relevant statistics

• Approximately 29.1 million people reside in Texas.
• The state’s median household income is $66,963.
• Texas has seen 208,045 violent crimes and 1,166,289 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 18% of Texas does not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average physician’s salary in Texas is $173,695.
• The state’s average cost of living is $45,114 per year.
• Texas is ranked 32nd among the states with the highest tax burdens.

Practice environment

• Texas ranked 2nd among the states with the most medical malpractice lawsuits over the past 30 years. The state currently has 129,642 reports.
• The 30-year medical malpractice payout total is just over $8.3 billion.
• 68,608 physicians currently practice in the state.
• Texas is the 31st best state for health care.

5. Indiana

Indiana doctors should do what they can to avoid medical malpractice lawsuits that seem to plague the state’s medical industry. In 2021, one study found that the “Hoosier State” had the most lawsuits in the nation.

Relevant statistics

• Indiana’s total population as of 2020 is around 6.7 million people.
• Indiana’s median household income is $62,743.
• Over the past two years, 30,063 violent crimes and 170,437 property crime incidents have been reported in the state.
• 5% of the state does not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• Physicians in Indiana can make an average of $182,654 per year.
• The average cost of living in Indiana is $42,697.
• Indiana has the 28th highest tax burden in the United States.

Practice environment

• Indiana has filed 28,385 Adverse Action and Medical Malpractice Reports against its healthcare providers since 1990.
• The state’s medical malpractice payout for the past three decades is $2.7 billion+.
• 17,460 primary care physicians practice in the state.
• It is the 32nd best state for health care.

6. North Dakota

North Dakota’s scenery draws tourists and new residents each year. One of the most livable states in the country, North Dakota’s low malpractice payout history and elevated doctor salaries are just two more reasons to practice medicine there.

Relevant statistics

• 779,094 people are estimated to live in North Dakota.
• The state’s median household income is $66,519.
• North Dakota has reported 3,658 violent crimes and 32,522 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 9% of residents do not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average physician’s salary in North Dakota is $210,114 annually.
• The average cost of living in the state is $48,182.
• The “Peace Garden State” is #37 on the list of states with the highest tax burdens.

Practice environment

• Only 4,041 Malpractice Reports have been filed since 1990.
• North Dakota has, topping out at around $214 million.
• As of this writing, North Dakota has 2,194 physicians.
• The state is the 27th best for health care access and quality.

7. Nebraska

Ranking 1st for physician happiness outside of work and 2nd for happiness on the job, the “Cornhusker State” is one of the most livable places for doctors. However, its relatively high tax burden might give prospective residents pause.

Relevant statistics

• Nebraska’s total population as of 2020 is approximately 1.9 million.
• The state’s median household income is $66,817.
• Nebraska has had 4,031 violent and 30,424 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 1% of Nebraska’s residents do not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average physician’s salary in Nebraska is $193,638.
• The average cost of living is $46,190.
• Nebraska has the 18th highest tax burden in the country.

Practice environment

• Nebraska has filed 10,430 Adverse Action and Medical Malpractice Reports since 1990. 2022’s current total is 130.
• The state’s 30-year medical malpractice payout amount is approximately $601 million.
• Nebraska has 5,781 physicians.
• It is listed as the 28th best state for health care.

8. Oklahoma

The “Sooner State” has many great places to visit, like the Gathering Place, a $465M 65+ acre park in the middle of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Gathering Place was voted USA Today’s Best City Park in 2021 and Best New Attraction in 2019. Oklahoma also boasts numerous outstanding companies to work for, like Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services. Additionally, Oklahoma’s small-town charm in cities like Edmond and Broken Arrow attracts and keeps residents.

Relevant statistics

• The state’s population is around 3.9 million people.
• Oklahoma’s median household income is $55,826.
• The past two years have seen Oklahoma residents report 24,195 violent crimes and 167,422 property crime incidents.
• 8% of the state’s population does not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The state’s average physician salary is $183,489.
• The average cost of living in Oklahoma is $38,650.
• Ranked 41st among the states with the highest tax burdens, Oklahoma’s property taxes are pretty low compared to other states.

Practice environment

• Oklahoma has had the most medical malpractice lawsuits per capita from 1990 to 2020, with 31,765 total reports. However, the state has 291 so far this year.
• The state’s 30-year medical malpractice payout amount is $1.7 billion+.
• 9,989 primary care physicians practice in the state.
• Oklahoma is the 48th best state in the country for health care.

9. Utah

The “Beehive State” might offer its residents a higher quality of life than other places, but its doctors report a high burnout rate. That may be why the state has one of the lowest physician densities in the country.

Relevant statistics

• As of 2020, Utah’s population is 3.2 million+.
• Utah’s median household income is $79,449.
• Utah has experienced 13,398 violent and 135,863 property crime incidents over the past two years.
• 0% of the state does not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• Utah physicians earn an annual average of $202,790.
• The average cost of living in Utah is $42,653.
• The state has the 15th highest tax burden in the country.

Practice environment

• Utah has seen 8,369 Adverse Action Reports and 3,787 Medical Malpractice Reports since 1990. In 2022, there were a total of 175.
• Utah’s total medical malpractice payout for the past 30 years is approximately $979 million.
• Utah has 7,209 physicians.
• Utah is the 11th best state for health care.

10. Florida

Florida, a top state for doctors to practice, has several thriving medical markets. Its tax burden is relatively low, making it appealing to people who do not want to pay a state income tax.

Relevant statistics

• 5 million+ people live in Florida.
• The “Sunshine State’s” median household income is $63,062.
• Since Florida does not contribute to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System like the previously listed states, its crime statistics for the past two years are unavailable. However, in 2019 and 2020, 164,381 violent crimes and 842,995 property crime incidents were reported.
• 1% of Floridians do not have healthcare coverage.

Economics

• The average salary for Florida doctors is $161,401 per year.
• The average cost of living in the “Sunshine State” is $50,689.
• Florida ranks 45th among the states with the highest tax burdens.

Practice environment

• Florida has had 90,954 Adverse Action and Medical Malpractice Reports since 1990. 2022’s current total is 1,668.
• The state’s medical malpractice payout since 1990 is $12 billion+.
• Florida has the 4th highest number of physicians (60,511).
• Florida sits in the middle of the list of states with the best health care, resting at #25.

Other Statistics to Consider

• Tennessee has the highest average physician salary at $230,783. As previously mentioned, Georgia has the lowest.
• Washington, DC, has the nation’s highest cost of living ($78,809). Mississippi has the lowest ($36,445).
• New York has the highest tax burden in the United States. Alaska has the lowest.
• Since 1990, California has had the most Adverse Action and Medical Malpractice reports, with 148,889. Hawaii has the fewest, with 2,635.
• New York has led the country in medical malpractice payouts since 1990 ($30 billion+). As previously stated, North Dakota has the lowest amount.
• As of August 2022, California has the most physicians (117,552). Wyoming has the fewest (1,241).
• Hawaii was found to have the best health care in the United States. Mississippi has the worst.

Doctors Can Impact Their Environment

Top-quality doctors can make any place they practice the best. With a winning combination of a positive mindset and extensive medical skills, doctors can treat their patients well and improve the quality of life in their communities. All it takes is one doctor to create a lasting positive ripple effect.

More information about Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services

Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services is a NCQA Credentialing Accredited family of healthcare companies. Sister companies include 5ACVO (credentialing and primary source verification specialists), Fifth Avenue Agency (MPLI and medical malpractice insurance specialists), and Primoris Credentialing Network (credentialing and provider enrollment specialists with 54+ health plan and network provider enrollment options).

This article was initially published by Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services here. For information on Fifth Avenue Healthcare Services, please visit FifthAvenueHealthcareService.com or Contact Us.