Healthcare career

Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Also called: OB-GYN · Obstetrician · Gynecologist · Women’s Health Physician

What obstetrician-gynecologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an obstetrician-gynecologist do?

Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical and surgical care for women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The median pay is $292,910 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +1.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $292,910
    $140.82/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +1.7%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    12 years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    22,800
    Employment, 2025

What obstetrician-gynecologists do

OB-GYNs care for women across their lives. They provide prenatal care, deliver babies, perform cesarean sections, manage high-risk pregnancies, do annual exams and cancer screenings, treat menstrual and menopause problems, provide contraception and perform gynecologic surgery.

OB-GYNs complete medical school and a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology; subspecialties include maternal-fetal medicine and gynecologic oncology.

Typical duties

  • Provide prenatal care
  • Deliver babies and perform cesarean sections
  • Manage high-risk pregnancies
  • Perform gynecologic exams and screenings
  • Treat reproductive conditions
  • Perform gynecologic surgery
  • Provide contraception and menopause care

Work environment and schedule

OB-GYNs work in clinics, hospitals, labor and delivery units and operating rooms.

Schedule: Babies arrive any time, so OB-GYNs take overnight and weekend call; some work only gynecology or as laborists on shifts.

A day in the life

  1. Check patients in labor.
  2. See prenatal patients in clinic.
  3. Deliver a baby.
  4. Perform a scheduled cesarean.

See a full day in the life of an obstetrician-gynecologist →

Obstetrician-Gynecologist salary

Half of obstetrician-gynecologists earned more than $292,910 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $94,680 for the lowest 10% to $437,300 for the top 10%.

Full obstetrician-gynecologist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an obstetrician-gynecologist

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete medical school
  3. Complete OB-GYN residency
  4. Pass boards
  5. Practice or subspecialize

Medical school plus a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency are required, along with a license and board certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Obstetric care
  • Surgical skills
  • Ultrasound
  • High-risk pregnancy management
  • Gynecologic oncology screening

People skills

  • Calm under pressure
  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Decisiveness

All obstetrician-gynecologist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Deeply meaningful work
  • High pay
  • Mix of clinic and surgery
  • Long-term patient relationships

Cons

  • Unpredictable hours
  • High liability
  • Emergencies
  • Long training

Certifications and licenses

  • ABOG board certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
  • State medical license: Required.
  • Maternal-fetal medicine certification: High-risk pregnancy.
  • Gynecologic oncology certification: Cancer surgery.

Career path

  1. OB-GYN Resident: Train.
  2. OB-GYN: Practice.
  3. Subspecialist: MFM or oncology.
  4. Department Chair: Lead women’s health.

Learn the job before day one

Our Obstetrician-Gynecologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as manage preeclampsia and perform a cesarean delivery, safety and how to land your first job.

View Obstetrician-Gynecologist trainingIs this career right for me?

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Obstetrician-Gynecologist FAQ

How long does it take to become an OB-GYN?

About 12 years after high school.

Do OB-GYNs do surgery?

Yes, including cesareans and gynecologic surgery.

Do OB-GYNs take call?

Most do, though some work shifts as laborists.

How much does an obstetrician-gynecologist make?

The median annual wage for obstetrician-gynecologists was $292,910 ($140.82 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $94,680 and the highest 10% earned more than $437,300.

How long does it take to become an obstetrician-gynecologist?

Most people need about 12 years after high school of training. Medical school plus a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency are required, along with a license and board certification.

Do you need a degree to be an obstetrician-gynecologist?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More obstetrician-gynecologist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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