Obstetricians and gynecologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · SOC 29-1218 · O*NET 29-1218.00
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.
Obstetricians and gynecologists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do obstetricians and gynecologists earn?
BLS does not publish a current median annual wage for obstetricians and gynecologists, which usually means the occupation is small, niche, or reported only as part of a broader category. For pay context, check the parent SOC group or O*NET's wage-by-state tables.
Is obstetricians and gynecologists a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for obstetricians and gynecologists is +1.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 21K positions in 2024 to 21K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What do obstetricians and gynecologists do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working obstetricians and gynecologists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Treat diseases of female organs.
- 2.Care for and treat women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
- 3.Perform cesarean sections or other surgical procedures as needed to preserve patients' health and deliver babies safely.
- 4.Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical histories, reports, or examination results.
- 5.Plan, implement, or administer health programs in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention and treatment of injuries or illnesses.
- 6.Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- 7.Prepare government and organizational reports on birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or the medical status of individuals.
- 8.Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
Top skills for obstetricians and gynecologists
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become obstetricians and gynecologist?
Becoming a obstetricians and gynecologist typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Licensing requirements for obstetricians and gynecologists
Obstetricians and gynecologists are regulated at the state level in the United States. Practicing without a current license is not legal in most jurisdictions.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about obstetricians and gynecologists
What is the median salary for obstetricians and gynecologists?
BLS does not publish a current median wage for obstetricians and gynecologists as a standalone occupation.
Is obstetricians and gynecologists a growing career?
BLS projects +1.2% growth for obstetricians and gynecologists from 2024 through 2034, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become obstetricians and gynecologist?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to obstetricians and gynecologists?
Related occupations within the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.