Survey of Salary and Job Satisfaction of Transplant Nephrologists in the United States

Abstract

Background and objectivesThere are no standardized benchmarks to measure productivity and compensation of transplant nephrologists in the United States, and consequently, criteria set for general nephrologists are often used.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsA web-based survey was sent to 809 nephrologists who were members of the American Society of Transplantation to gather data on measures of productivity, compensation, and job satisfaction. Factors associated with higher total compensation and job satisfaction were examined.ResultsOf 365 respondents, 260 were actively practicing in the United States and provided data on compensation. Clinical productivity was assessed variably, and although 194 (76%) had their work relative value units (wRVUs) reported to them, only 107 (44%) had an established RVU target; 234 (90%) had fixed base compensation, and 172 (66%) received a bonus on the basis of clinical workload (68%), academic productivity (31%), service (32%), and/or teaching responsibility (31%). Only 127 respondents (49%) filled out time studies, and 92 (35%) received some compensation for nonbillable transplant activity. Mean total compensation (base salary and bonus) was $274,460±$91,509. The unadjusted mean total compensation was higher with older age and was higher for men; Hispanic and White respondents; adult care transplant nephrologists; residents of the western United States; US medical school graduates; nonuniversity hospital employees; and those with an administrative title, higher academic rank, and a higher number of years in practice. Two hundred and nine respondents (80%) thought their compensation was unfair, and 180 (70%) lacked a clear understanding of how they were compensated. One hundred forty-five respondents (55%) reported being satisfied or highly satisfied with their job. Job satisfaction was greater among those with higher amounts of compensation and US medical school graduates.ConclusionsWe report significant heterogeneity in the assessment of productivity and compensation for transplant nephrologists and the association of compensation with job satisfaction.

Transplant Nephrology

“…In its 2019 Physician Compensation and Productivity Survey, SullivanCotter—a consulting group that helps health care entities establish compensation and benefit plans—reported that the median total compensations for staff physicians in the nephrology and transplant nephrology specialties were $271,800 and $273,600, respectively (9). Hence, the compensation reported by Singh et al (6) is in line with what has been previously reported. Nonetheless, local markets drive salaries more so than nationally reported data.…”

“…The study by Singh et al (6) is the first public effort to report the clinical productivity, compensation, job satisfaction, and burnout of US transplant nephrologists. However, it has significant limitations, including the sample size, response rate, and sampling bias, with a wide range of reported values.…”

“…Another key challenge for transplant nephrology is compensation, which, if left unaddressed, may threaten transplant care and create a deep divide between transplant nephrologists and their colleagues in general nephrology. In this issue of CJASN , Singh et al (6) present the results of a web-based survey to gather data on productivity, compensation, and job satisfaction measures. The survey was sent to 809 nephrologist members of the American Society of Transplantation, but only 260 respondents (32%) were included for analysis.…”

“…In this issue of CJASN , the American Society of Nephrology Task Force on Academic Nephrologist Compensation and Productivity presents two Perspectives that review the roles and responsibilities of transplant nephrology as well as existing transplant nephrology compensation models (4,5). In addition, Singh et al (6) present a survey of salaries and job satisfaction of transplant nephrologists in the United States. These articles discuss transplant nephrology's challenges related to clinical role, compensation, and reporting structure (3).…”

Challenges to establishing and maintaining kidney transplantation programs in developing countries: What are the coping strategies?

“…Although these activities are essential to multidisciplinary care and regulatory requirements, financial compensation may not be sufficient, even in developing countries. This pattern leads to low job satisfaction and threatens to sustain a sufficient KT workforce[ 80 ].…”