Ownership-sensitivity model
The 10 vectors of a physician career.
Every path is scored 0-100 across 10 critical dimensions using public-data signals, modeled assumptions, and verification prompts. Modeled estimate. Not a salary survey. See methodology.
50/100
Income ceiling
Income ceiling
Strictly capped by the RVU system's bias against cognitive time.
The reality
A complex 45-minute ALS evaluation pays terribly compared to a 10-minute cataract surgery.
The signal
You can raise the ceiling by incorporating high-volume EMGs, EEGs, and Botox injections for migraines.
The catch
However, you are fundamentally a cognitive physician without ASC leverage.
The verdict
Provides a comfortable W-2 living, but absolutely not a massive wealth-builder.
80/100
Lifestyle control
Lifestyle control
Highly controllable in a purely outpatient setting.
The reality
The clinic is scheduled, predictable, and elective.
The signal
There are no hospital emergencies to disrupt your day.
The catch
The main threat to your lifestyle is the EMR inbox and prior authorizations for expensive drugs.
The verdict
An excellent, highly civilized lifestyle for the cognitive physician.
Premium analysis
8 more dimensions scored, with the reasoning behind each
The scores are below. Premium adds what sits behind each one: the claim, the signal supporting it, the limitation that weakens it, and what it should change about your decision.
- Sleep / call burdenLower is better20/100
- Ownership / facility upsideHigher is better10/100
- Geography flexibilityHigher is better85/100
- Innovation / industry adjacencyHigher is better80/100
- Training opportunity costLower is better25/100
- Job-market densityHigher is better85/100
- Malpractice / litigation pressureLower is better30/100
- Burnout-mismatch riskLower is better30/100
Scores are modeled from the specialty module's evidence and are estimates, not measurements. Confidence and data depth are labeled inside every premium card.
DoctorCalculator modeled income structure
Derived model. DirectionalModeled base range
$315k - $405k
Outpatient baseline.
Production upside
Moderate
Clinic economics with long visit times; ancillary density determines private viability.
Ownership upside
Minimal
Modest: EMG/EEG in-office ancillaries and infusion suites (MS, migraine biologics) in private groups.
Salary-only gap
Low
Employed neurologists forgo infusion-suite margins. The quiet ownership lever in modern neurology.
Modeled estimate. Not a salary survey. Derived model. Directional only. Verify against real offers, contracts, and local mentors. Income scales with payer mix, ownership, and geography. See methodology.
Want the code-level view behind numbers like these? Open the RVU calculator for this specialty's procedures, CMS times, and locality-adjusted Medicare rates.
External benchmark reference
Verify independently~$320k
External benchmark reference - verify independently. Not ingested DoctorCalculator source data.
Best fit
- The Lifestyle-First Clinician. A good life on sane hours, and the math actually works.
Poor fit
- The Procedure-Heavy Wealth Builder. Top-tier income through volume, procedures, production, and ownership.
This path is described at validated confidence (Evidence depth: moderate). Detailed evidence cards are added as the module is validated; we will not manufacture precision before then.