Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire an Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring obstetrician-gynecologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $292,910), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify ABOG board certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for obstetrician-gynecologists
There are about 22,800 obstetrician-gynecologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +1.7% from 2025–35 (slower than average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $94,680–$179,810 | $45.52–$86.45 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $292,910 | $140.82 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $369,390 | $177.59 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $437,300 | $210.24 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Obstetric care
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- ABOG board certification
- State medical license
- Maternal-fetal medicine certification
- Experience with fetal monitors
Where to find obstetrician-gynecologists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: OB-GYN, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, Women’s Health Physician
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why OB-GYN?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you handle emergencies?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “How do you support patient choices?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you balance call and life?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
5. “What subspecialty interests you?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Manage Preeclampsia (see the steps)
- Perform a Cesarean Delivery (see the steps)
- Counsel on Contraception (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Prenatal care, Cesarean section, Preeclampsia
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Obstetrician-Gynecologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Obstetrician-Gynecologist training. Show them the path forward: OB-GYN Resident → OB-GYN → Subspecialist → Department Chair.
Hiring obstetrician-gynecologists: FAQ
How much should I pay an obstetrician-gynecologist?
The U.S. median wage for obstetrician-gynecologists is $292,910 per year ($140.82/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($179,810), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($369,390). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an obstetrician-gynecologist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ABOG board certification and State medical license where relevant, plus skills such as obstetric care, surgical skills, and ultrasound.
How long does it take to train a new obstetrician-gynecologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 12 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”