Equal Pay in Ophthalmology? Not Yet
A decade of AAMC salary data reveals a persistent gender pay gap in academic ophthalmology—and projects it will never close at senior ranks
By
Kerri Miller
March 31, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Equal Pay in Ophthalmology? Not Yet
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Gender-based salary inequity in academic ophthalmology Key Mechanisms Compensation disparities persist across academic ranks despite women's increasing representation. Target Population Full-time academic ophthalmologists in the US Care Setting Academic medical institutions
Key Highlights
Women earned 85 to 91 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2024. Compensation parity is projected only at the assistant professor and associate professor levels. Over a 30-year career, men are projected to earn $1.04 million more than women. Women's representation in academic ranks is increasing but remains lower at higher levels. Compensation growth for women is slower at the professor and chair levels. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify gender-based salary disparities in academic ophthalmology. Management
Implement structured and transparent institutional compensation systems. Conduct periodic department-wide salary reviews. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track compensation trends and gender representation in academic ranks. Risks
Sustained pay gaps can lead to generational wealth deficits. Patient & Prescribing Data
Not applicable; study focuses on academic ophthalmologists.
N/A
Clinical Best Practices
Incorporate financial literacy and negotiation training into medical education. Equalize starting salaries for new faculty. References
