Doctors bemoan paychecks that most plebes would kill for

Nearly half of all doctors say they regret choosing a career in medicine, according to an annual survey conducted by Medscape. Only 54 percent of doctors said they'd make the same career choice again, down from 69 percent last year. Lower incomes from "decreased reimbursement" apparently play a role in this dissatisfaction, though certain specialties enjoyed modest income gains. But even though physicians made mean incomes that ranged from $156,000 (pediatricians) to $315,000 (radiologists, orthopedic surgeons) per year, only 11 percent of doctors considered themselves rich (cough, cough), and 45 percent agreed with the statement "My income probably qualifies me as rich, but I have so many debts and expenses that I don't feel rich." Physician, cheer thyself.