While radiologists’ compensation crept downward, primary and specialty care physicians reported mixed movement in compensation in 2010, according to Medical Group Management Association’s (MGMA's) “Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.” The report also showed persistent regional discrepancies in compensation.

As physicians face tighter scrutiny from consumers and public health experts, a survey conducted by Jackson Healthcare reveals that physician salary accounts for approximately 8 percent of total U.S. spending on medical care, while only a minority of physicians receive additional earnings for ordering imaging or other tests.