Table 1 - Physicians by Gender (Excludes Students)
Note: Representation of female physicians in medicine continues to show steady increases. In 1980, women comprised 11.6% of the physician force, but by 2006, they accounted for 27.8% of the total physician population.
| Year | Total | Male | Female |
| 1970 | 334,028 | 308,627 | 25,401 |
| 1980 | 467,679 | 413,395 | 54,284 |
| 1990 | 615,421 | 511,227 | 104,194 |
| 2000 | 813,869 | 618,233 | 195,537 |
| 2002 | 853,187 | 638,182 | 215,005 |
| 2003 | 871,535 | 646,493 | 225,042 |
| 2006 | 921,904 | 665,647 | 256,257 |
Source: Physician Characteristics and Distribution in the U.S., 2008 Edition and prior editions. American Medical Association.
