Salary
Average Salary: $224,827
Expected Lifetime Earnings: $9,386,078
A seasoned nephrologist is likely to own his or her own practice and keep the lion's share of the medical fees, which are always enormous for procedures and treatments as specialized and difficult as the ones nephrologists provide. Though changes to the medical industry are coming, medical costs are still crazy high, which is a good thing—for you. Look out for number one, right?
In theory, the "average" nephrologist makes a figure of around $200,000, but it seems like the factors of location, experience, and specialization matter most for a practicing nephrologist's take-home pay. Nephrologists in Alaska, Hawaii, and California make the most, and doctors who are experienced, reputable, and already financially secure enough to own their own practice also make more annually (source). Go figure.
The highest paying sub-specializations are the ones dealing with the most critical conditions―again, go figure. Nephrologists who make the most moolah specialize in kidney transplantation, cancer of the kidneys, and chronic kidney disease (source).