Bonuses, based either on RVU production or a combination of other factors, are included especially in the case of compensation programs based entirely on RVU production. These numbers are guidelines, not written in stone elements to be used when negotiating. At the top of the list in compensation are the 13 states of the Midwest. Wisconsin physicians earn the most with averages of $200 an hour and annual highs more than $500K. It is followed by Illinois and Iowa with averages in the $195 an hour and highs topping $293.

Ohio is back on track and catching up due to good incomes from Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus with an average of $193 an hour and highs more than $275 an hour that include strong sign-on bonuses. Indiana provided limited information, but the numbers ran about the same as Ohio. The Dakotas are middle of the pack with averages state-wide in the $190 hour range. Missouri is a state of contrasts with one group near Memphis offering $200 an hour plus $175K in loan assistance, full benefits, relocation, pension, etc. all topping $500K, and a low of $120 an hour in more rural areas. The average in Missouri is $180 an hour.

Kentucky provides a higher state-wide average at $185 an hour, but the incidental highs top out at $400K. Look for some good perks and higher sign-on bonuses there. Minnesota is also all over the place with annual lows of $240K in rural positions and average earnings state-wide of about $300K. Kansas was also low reporting but what numbers did appear were averaging $180 an hour. I only found a few spots open in Nebraska and the numbers looked like $140 an hour lows and $205 an hour highs. As usual, Michigan trails the pack, especially without the $200 an hour jobs usually found in Detroit that are absent this season. There are signs of increases however, with a few opportunities in that range outside the city.

How do I describe the compensation trends of the nine states in the West? Well, a total lack of information is a good start and it applies to Hawaii and Utah, which isn’t a serious problem because there aren’t jobs there anyway. In a different vein, Arizona has plenty of jobs but little information on earnings. The highest comp package I could find was in the $420K range in the western part of the state but averages in the highly desirable lifestyle areas of Maricopa County are closer to $150 an hour with CEP America exceeding that at their Sun City opportunities.