For procedural subspecialties, the percentage fill has increased from 97.1% to 99.1% (Figure 1). There has been a decline in percentage of positions filled by USMGs from 57.8% to 56.5%. Step 1 scores increased 11.67 points from 225 to 236.67. Average salaries have increased $101,000 (26.3%), from $283,000 to $384,000. The average annual increase is $14,300 ± $4,000 (+4.6% ± 1.3).
For non-procedural subspecialties, the percent of filled fellowship positions have fallen from 91.8% to 83.4% (-1.1% ± 1.2 per year) (Figure 1). The percent of positions filled by USMGs has fallen from 45.5 to 39.8 (-1.6% ± 1.7 per year). Step 1 scores have increased 14 points from 220.33 to 234.33. Average salaries have increased from $212,000 to $275,000, with an average annual increase of $10,400 ± $3,300 (+4.2% ± 1.4).
Cardiology fill percentage has held steady at 99.1% (Figure 2). USMG position fill percentage has also fallen from 60.7% to 56.5%, with an average annual decline of -1% ± 1.3 (Figure 3). USMLE scores have improved 10.67 points from 227 to 237.67. Average salaries have seen an increase from $320,000 to $423,000 which is the leading average salary in any of the subspecialties included in this study. The average annual increase was $14,700 ± $7,500 (+3.8% ± 2).
Pulmonary/critical care fill percentage has increased marginally from 96% to 99.5%. The percentage of positions filled by USMGs has increased slightly from 48.7% to 50.7%, both the lowest percentage within the procedural specialties. Step 1 scores have increased 13 points from 223.33 to 236.33. Finally, mean salaries have increased 28.3% from $230,000 to $321,000, an average annual increase of $13,000 ± $3,000 (+4.6% ± 1.1).
Gastroenterology fill percentage has remained high, increasing from 96.3% to 98.6%. USMG position fill percentage has decreased from 70.8% to 61.3%, still the highest percentage of any specialty included in this study. Step 1 scores have increased 11.66 points from 224.67 to 236.33. Salaries have increased 26.5% from $300,000 to $408,000, an average annual increase of $15,400 ± $4,600 (+4.2% ± 1.3).
Rheumatology grew in fill percentage from 92.1% to 98.6%. Percentage of positions filled by USMGs decreased from 50.9% in 2009 to 32% in 2014, an average annual decline of -8.2% ± 2.3, but strongly rebounded with an average annual increase of 11.9 ± 3 to 53.4% in 2018. Step 1 scores have increased 14.67 points from 220 to 234.67. Salaries have increased by 29.9% from $180,000 to $257,000, an average annual increase of $11,000 ± $5,700 (+4.8% ± 2.5).
Endocrinology fill percentage has increased from 87.4% to 92.9%. Percentage of positions filled by USMGs has declined from 44.4% to 39.7%, an average decline of -1.4% ± 2.1. Endocrinology USMG fill percentage trends have followed those of rheumatology, dropping sharply from 2009 - 2014 then rising. Step 1 scores have increased from 14.33 points from 221 to 235.33. Average salaries have increased 19.8% from $170,000 to $212,000, which lags behind all other specialties examined both in dollar amount and rate of increase. The average annual increase was +$6,000 ± $3,000 (+3% ± 1.5).
Hematology/oncology fill rates have increased slightly from 98.1% to 99.1% (Figure 2). This field’s selectivity has grown as evidenced by a percent fill by USMG increase from 51.2% to 60% (Figure 3). The average annual increase was +1.6% ± 1.7. This includes a +7.2% spike observed in the 2018 applicant pool. Step 1 scores have increased 15 points, the largest increase seen here, from 224.33 to 239.33. Average salaries have historically been the highest of the non-procedural specialties, and the trend continues here. They have increased 20.1% from $290,000 to $363,000, an average annual increase of +$10,400 ± $6,300 (+3% ± 1.9).
Infectious disease fill rate has fallen from 90.5% to 81.5%, an average annual decline of -1.4 ± 2.6. Fill rates went as low as 65.1% in 2016 but have rebounded to 81.5%. Percentage of positions filled by USMGs has fallen from 48.8% to 40.1%. The average annual decline is -3.4% ± 3.5. Step 1 scores have increased 14 points from 218.33 to 232.33. Average annual salaries have increased 25.1% from $173,000 to $231,000. The average annual increase was +$8,300 ± $5,500 (+3.8% ± 2.6).
Nephrology displayed some interesting trends. Fill rates have plummeted from 94.8% to 60.1%, an average annual decline of -5.4% ± 2.4 (Figure 3). Percent of positions filled by USMGs has followed the trend, declining 46.7% from 36% to 19.2%, an average annual decline is -8.4 ± 5.4 (Figure 3). Step 1 scores have increased 10 points, the smallest increase observed, from 219.33 to 229.33. Average salaries have increased 32% from $200,000 to $294,000, the largest increase, percentage wise, seen in this study. The average annual increase is +$14,700 ± $4,700 (+5.3% ± 1.6).