Healthcare Practitioners
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Also called: GYN (Gynecologist), MD (Medical Doctor), OB (Obstetrician), OB/GYN (Obstetrician Gynecologist)
US median pay
$292,910
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.7%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
500
22,800 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
- Consult with or provide consulting services to other physicians.
- Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Instructing3.1/5
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
- Biology4.7/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Psychology4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-doctoral training74%
- Doctoral degree23%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.