Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Obstetricians and Gynecologists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Obstetricians and Gynecologists earn a median salary of $292,910 per year, ranking in the top 2% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.7% job growth through 2035, 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?

The median annual wage for obstetricians and gynecologists is $292,910. That puts obstetricians and gynecologists at #13 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Obstetricians and Gynecologists sit firmly in the top tier of U.S. earnings. Pay this high almost always requires extensive postgraduate education, board certification, or executive-level responsibility. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is obstetricians and gynecologists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for obstetricians and gynecologists is +1.7%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 22K positions in 2024 to 23K in 2034, a net change of 1K. 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. 1.Treat diseases of female organs.
2. 2.Prescribe or administer therapy, medication, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
3. 3.Plan, implement, or administer health programs in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention and treatment of injuries or illnesses.
4. 4.Care for and treat women during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods.
5. 5.Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
6. 6.Prepare government and organizational reports on birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or the medical status of individuals.
7. 7.Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
8. 8.Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.

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.

How to become obstetricians and gynecologist: step by step

The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about 11-16 years. Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.

1. 1

   Undergraduate Preparation (Pre-Med)

   ~4 years

   Complete a bachelor's degree with required pre-medical coursework. Any major is acceptable if you complete the prerequisites.

   • •General Biology I & II with lab
   • •General Chemistry I & II with lab
   • •Organic Chemistry I & II with lab
   • •Physics I & II with lab
   • •Biochemistry
   • •English/Writing
   • •Mathematics/Statistics
   • •Psychology and Sociology (recommended)
2. 2

   Standardized Testing

   Take the MCAT during your junior or senior year. Most medical schools require MCAT scores for admission.

   MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
3. 3

   Medical School (MD/DO)

   ~4 years

   Complete a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. First two years focus on classroom instruction, last two on clinical rotations.

   • •Clinical clerkships (Year 3-4)
   • •USMLE Step 1 & 2 (or COMLEX for DO)
   • •Research and clinical experience
4. 4

   Residency Training

   ~3 years

   Required 3-7 year residency in your chosen specialty (Family Medicine: 3 years, Surgery: 5-7 years, Internal Medicine: 3 years).

   • •USMLE Step 3 (or COMLEX Level 3)
   • •Board certification exams in specialty
5. 5

   Optional Fellowship

   Optional~2 years

   Optional 1-3 year fellowship for subspecialization (e.g., Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Orthopedic Surgery).

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Common questions parents ask about obstetricians and gynecologists