Montana, South Dakota and Idaho are the three best places for physicians to practice in the U.S. in 2023, according to a March 20 WalletHub ranking. The three worst are Hawaii, Rhode Island and Alaska.
The ranking is based on 19 metrics across two key dimensions: opportunity and competition, and medical environment. Metrics included average wage, hospitals per capita and quality of the public health system.
The 10 best states for physicians:
1. Montana
2. South Dakota
3. Idaho
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota
6. Louisiana
7. Utah
8. Nebraska
9. Iowa
10. Indiana
The 10 worst states* for physicians:
51. Hawaii
50. Rhode Island
49. Alaska
48. New Jersey
47. District of Columbia
46. New Mexico
45. Massachusetts
44. New York
43. Pennsylvania
42. Oregon
41. Maryland
*plus the District of Columbia, for a total of 11
Four other insights from the ranking:
- Alabama — the 12th-best state for physicians — ranked No. 1 in opportunity and competition, but 33rd for medical environment.
- Utah had the top-ranked medical environment, but ranked No. 41 in opportunity and competition.
- Hawaii, the worst overall, placed last for opportunity and competition and came in at 43 for medical environment.