Physician Recruitment Process and Compensation Overview
Where Academic Excellence Meets Financial Security
At $245,000 base salary with additional bonus potential, this position shatters the traditional narrative that choosing academic medicine means accepting financial sacrifice. You'll earn approximately $45,000 more than typical academic Family Medicine faculty positions at university medical centers, while enjoying a cost of living that amplifies every dollar into substantially more purchasing power than your colleagues in Dallas or Oklahoma City could imagine. This isn't just competitive compensation – it's a thoughtfully structured package that recognizes the true value of physicians who dedicate themselves to training the next generation while maintaining clinical excellence.
The financial architecture of this opportunity extends far beyond the impressive base salary, creating multiple pathways to build substantial wealth while living comfortably today. The $30,000 sign-on bonus provides immediate resources for relocation and settling into your new community, while the bonus structure tied to your 40% clinical component rewards productivity without the exhausting RVU treadmills common in purely clinical roles. When you factor in Lawton's remarkably affordable housing market and overall cost of living, your effective income rivals what physicians earning $400,000+ experience in major metropolitan areas – except you'll achieve this lifestyle without the crushing pace and administrative burdens they endure.
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Hospital-Paid Coverage:
- Full medical and dental coverage for you with comprehensive prescription drug benefits, eliminating the $15,000-20,000 annual healthcare costs many physicians face
- Term Life Insurance at 1x annual earnings up to $250,000 maximum, providing immediate family security
- Short-Term Disability covering 70% of salary for 26 weeks, ensuring income protection during unexpected health events
- Long-Term Disability providing 60% of monthly earnings up to $15,000 maximum, safeguarding your family's financial future
Retirement and Wealth Building:
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan through Bank of Oklahoma Finance with 2025 contribution limits of $23,500 (under 50) or $31,000 (50+)
- For 2025, the standard 457(b) contribution limit is $23,500. You can contribute up to this amount or 100% of your compensation, if that is lower. For those aged 50 or older, there is an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution available. Additionally, a new catch-up for ages 60 through 63 is available for 2025, allowing for a total contribution of up to $34,750 ($23,500 standard + $11,250 catch-up), but this is only available in governmental plans.
- 401(a) Physician Retirement Plan with unprecedented flexibility – contribute up to $70,000 annually through salary reduction or maximum allowable contributions
- Combined retirement potential exceeding $100,000 annually in tax-deferred savings – a wealth-building opportunity rarely seen in employed positions
- Bi-weekly payroll deductions ensuring consistent, automated retirement accumulation without mental burden
Additional Benefits:
- Comprehensive PTO package including 30 vacation days, 5 CME days, and holidays that actually get honored in this outpatient-only position
- Robust relocation assistance covering moving expenses and temporary housing to ensure a smooth transition
- Loan repayment: $100,000 qualified for government repayment
- CME allowance with protected time for conferences and continuing education, keeping you current without personal expense
- All professional expenses covered including licenses, DEA, board certifications, and specialty society dues
- Occurrence-based malpractice insurance with tail coverage – complete protection that travels with you throughout your career
- Hospital, pharmacy, cafeteria, and gift shop employee discounts adding up to thousands in annual savings
- Flexible Spending Account for pre-tax medical and dependent care expenses, further reducing your taxable burden
- PVCS Vision Benefits including free eye exams, office visits, and wholesale pricing on eyewear
Financial Advantages That Transform Your Future:
What truly distinguishes this opportunity financially isn't captured in any single line item but rather in how these elements synergize with Lawton's economic environment. Your $245,000 salary commands the purchasing power of $400,000+ in Dallas or $500,000+ in coastal cities, while the retirement contribution potential of over $100,000 annually could realistically trim 5-10 years off your path to financial independence compared to metropolitan academic positions. The combination of high income, low living costs, and exceptional retirement benefits creates a financial trajectory that few academic positions can match.
Consider this reality: while your former residency colleagues in big cities struggle with massive mortgages, private school tuitions that devour their salaries, and retirement savings that barely keep pace with inflation, you'll be maximizing tax-advantaged contributions, living in a beautiful home at a fraction of the cost, and still having abundant resources for the experiences and adventures that make life meaningful. This position doesn't ask you to choose between academic fulfillment and financial success – it delivers both with remarkable generosity.