There is no gynecological subspecialty in surgery, although all gynecologists and OB/GYNs — obstetricians-gynecologists — receive surgical training. Salaries are based on a physician’s education and training, including specializing in fields such as gynecological oncology. Most gynecologists and OB/GYNs perform many surgical procedures such as hysterectomies, laparoscopies, D & Cs — dilation and curettage — and endometrial ablations. Generally, gynecologists and OB/GYNs who receive additional training through fellowships and residencies receive higher salaries than their counterparts who don’t receive such training.

Education and Training

Most gynecologists receive an OB/GYN education, although gynecology program minus obstetrics training are available. After obtaining an undergraduate degree and completing four years of medical school, a residency of at least four years is required, although subspecialty training can increase residency training to as much as eight years. Board certification is provided by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Subspecialties recognized and requiring their own board certification include gynecologic oncology, maternal/fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility and urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery. All gynecology, OB/GYN and subspecialties require extensive surgical training.

Gynecologist Salary

According to the 2009 Physician Compensation Survey conducted by the American Medical Group Association, or AMGA, the median salary for gynecologists is $232,075. A 2006 Allied Physicians Salary Survey reported an average salary of $159,000 for gynecologists during their first two years of practice, $213,000 after two years and a maximum salary of $358,000.

OB/GYN Salary

The 2010 Merritt Hawkins Review of Physician Recruiting Incentives showed OB/GYNs were the eighth-most recruited physician specialty in the United States and that salary offers ranged from a low of $175,000 to a high of $350,000, with an average offer of $272,000. The AMGA salary survey listed a median salary of $275,152 for OB/GYNs. The Allied Physicians report showed an average salary of $211,000 for OB/GYNs during their first two years of practice, $261,000 after two years and a top-end salary of $417,000.

Sub-Specialist Salaries

All OB/GYN subspecialists are highly trained in many surgical procedures. CB Salary reports a 2011 national average salary of $225,185 for reproductive endocrinologists. The AMGA survey lists a median salary of $317,312 for reproductive endocrinologists. For gynecologic oncologists, the AMGA reports a median salary of $413,500. Maternal-fetal medicine physicians, according to the Allied Physicians salary survey, make $286,000 during their first two years of practice, $322,000 after the second year and a maximum pay rate of $610,000 a year.

General Surgeon Salary

General surgeons also perform gynecologic surgical procedures. The AMGA survey reports a median salary of $357,091 for general surgeons. The Allied Physicians report shows an average salary of $226,000 for general surgeons during the first two years of practice, $291,000 after two years and a high-end figure of $520,000. The Merritt Hawkins survey revealed general surgeons were the 10th-most recruited of all physician specialties and received an average low-end offer of $175,000, an average offer of $314,000 and a high-end offer of $410,000.