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09/22/2025

12 Best States to Work in as an OBGYN

Working Locum Tenens

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TL;DR: The best states to work in as an OBGYN are Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arizona, and Texas. Keep reading for compensation, work, and lifestyle insights!

Looking to make big moves this year? Your OBGYN locums journey is all about finding a schedule, an assignment and a place that works for you. That means you’re doing research on which states to practice in, which have the best salaries and the right vibe for where you want to be on assignment. We’ve assembled a list of the top 12 best states to work in as an OBGYN based on local hospital and research networks, healthcare policy, and salary data. For each state, we provided a summary to help you research the location (think of it as a vibe check), and direct links to our jobs board. 

Want to browse open OBGYN jobs right now? Or have questions about open job locations or specifics? We’re just one click away.

Note about data: Salary data based on permanent roles & taken from ZipRecruiter.

What Is the Best State to Work in as an OBGYN?

  1. Washington
  2. Massachusetts
  3. Oregon
  4. New Jersey
  5. California
  6. Illinois
  7. Virginia
  8. Delaware
  9. Pennsylvania
  10. Arizona
  11. Wyoming
  12. Texas
  13. FAQs
  14. Looking for an OB/GYN locums role?
Two

1. Washington

Washington is a dream for OBGYN who value work-life balance, offering top-tier healthcare systems alongside unbeatable outdoor recreation. The state boasts progressive healthcare policies, strong support for women’s health, and a high demand for skilled practitioners, making it both a rewarding and scenic place to practice medicine. Washington has robust protections for reproductive health, codifying the right to an abortion. The state also mandates insurance coverage for a full range of reproductive services, including abortion.

Washington is a hub for major healthcare systems like Providence St. Joseph Health and UW Medicine. The University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle is a top-tier research institution, particularly renowned in women's health, offering significant opportunities for academic collaboration and cutting-edge clinical trials.

Seattle

2. Massachusetts

With world-renowned hospitals like Mass General and Brigham and Women’s, Massachusetts is a hub for medical innovation and OBGYN excellence. The state’s strong focus on maternal health, academic medicine, and competitive salaries makes it a prime destination for physicians who want to advance their careers while soaking in some New England charm. Massachusetts is a leader in pro-reproductive healthcare policy, mandating insurance coverage for contraception and abortion. The state has also taken steps to protect providers and patients from out-of-state legal challenges.

Massachusetts boasts an unparalleled concentration of world-class institutions. With Harvard Medical School, Boston University, and Tufts University anchoring the area, OBGYNs have access to pioneering research at affiliated hospitals like Mass General Brigham and Boston Medical Center, making it a global leader in medical innovation.

Beach

3. Oregon

  • Average Salary $279,968
  • Best for: Gorgeous coastal scenery, fantastic arts scene, and progressive healthcare policy 
  • View open OBGYN jobs in Oregon

OBGYNs in Oregon benefit from a thriving healthcare network, a focus on holistic and patient-centered care, and a laid-back yet progressive culture. Oregon's healthcare landscape is dominated by influential systems like Providence Health & Services and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland. OHSU serves as the state's primary academic medical center, providing robust research programs in reproductive endocrinology, maternal-fetal medicine, and rural health initiatives. Oregon has some of the nation's most expansive reproductive health policies, offering broad access to abortion and postpartum care. The state also provides funding to cover reproductive services for low-income residents, regardless of immigration status.

The state’s emphasis on work-life balance (paired with its natural beauty and strong job market) makes it an ideal place for physicians who want both professional fulfillment and an active outdoor lifestyle.

Welcome

4. New Jersey

New Jersey offers OBGYNs the best of both worlds: high earning potential and an enviable East Coast lifestyle. With top-ranked hospitals, a strong demand for women’s healthcare providers, and easy access to major metros, it’s a fantastic place to build a thriving practice while enjoying coastal relaxation or urban excitement. Additionally, New Jersey law strongly protects abortion access and requires insurance coverage for the procedure. The state's Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act codifies the right to abortion and contraception.

New Jersey also has a strong academic environment with Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, which includes New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Major networks like RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health provide extensive clinical platforms with integrated research institutes focused on population health and women's cancers.

5. California

  • Average Salary $270,574
  • Best for: West-coast natural beauty alongside world-class medical research facilities and progressive health policy
  • View open OBGYN jobs in California

For OBGYNs, California combines competitive salaries with unparalleled quality of life. The state leads in progressive healthcare policies, cutting-edge research, and diverse patient populations. Whether you prefer beachside serenity, tech-driven innovation in Silicon Valley, or the vibrant culture of its major cities, California delivers endless opportunities. California policy actively protects and expands access to abortion, serving as a sanctuary for patients from restrictive states. The state mandates insurance coverage and uses public funds to support services for both residents and those traveling from elsewhere.

California features a diverse array of opportunities, from prestigious academic centers like UCSF and Stanford Medicine, which lead in translational research, to large, innovative systems like Kaiser Permanente. This allows OBGYNs to engage in everything from basic science to large-scale health services research.

Northern

6. Illinois

Illinois is a hidden gem for OBGYNs, offering prestigious hospitals like Northwestern Memorial and a lower cost of living than coastal states. With a robust job market, excellent malpractice protections, and a blend of urban and suburban practice settings, it’s a smart choice for physicians seeking career growth without sacrificing lifestyle. Illinois is a key access point in the Midwest, with laws protecting abortion rights and providers from out-of-state lawsuits. State policy also requires insurance coverage for abortion and contraception.

Illinois, particularly Chicago, is a major medical destination with the University of Chicago Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, and Rush University Medical Center. These academic powerhouses offer extensive research in oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and health equity, creating a vibrant clinical and intellectual community.

7. Virginia

Virginia blends Southern charm with East Coast convenience, offering OBGYNs top-tier hospitals (think Inova and UVA Health), a strong job market, and proximity to D.C. for policy-minded physicians. With its mix of history, outdoor recreation, and urban sophistication, it’s a sleeper hit for doctors seeking balance. Virginia's policies are a moderate outlier in the South, where abortion remains legal up to roughly 26 weeks of pregnancy. However, recent debates over potential new regulations create a less stable environment than in more protective states.

In Virginia, OBGYNs can engage with nationally recognized systems like Inova and Sentara Healthcare, which have strong research arms. The University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville and VCU Health in Richmond are major academic centers driving innovation in reproductive science and public health.

8. Delaware

Delaware offers OBGYNs a compelling combination of high earning potential and a stable, supportive policy environment. With average salaries exceeding $270,000 annually, the state also maintains strong protections for reproductive healthcare. Delaware law explicitly codifies the right to abortion and mandates insurance coverage for a full range of reproductive services, providing a clear and secure legal framework for both providers and patients.

The clinical landscape is anchored by influential health systems like ChristianaCare, a major regional provider known for its innovation and high-volume services, including a Level-1 trauma center and robust women’s health institute. Academic and research opportunities are available through affiliations with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and its partnership with ChristianaCare, as well as statewide public health initiatives driven by the University of Delaware.

9. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania presents OBGYNs with an attractive blend of strong compensation and diverse practice settings, underscored by an average salary of over $270,930 per year. The state's policy environment is a nuanced mix; while abortion remains legal under the state's existing law, access varies significantly by region, and it lacks the codified protections found in neighboring states like New Jersey or Delaware. This creates a dynamic where major metropolitan areas serve as critical access hubs within the broader Mid-Atlantic region.

The state boasts a world-class healthcare infrastructure, featuring premier academic powerhouses like the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the UPMC system in Pittsburgh, both of which are leaders in clinical research and innovation in women's health. Additional major players include the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital system in Philadelphia and Allegheny Health Network, offering ample opportunities for academic affiliation, specialized care, and participation in cutting-edge clinical trials.

10. Wyoming

  • Average Salary $253,600
  • Best for: Great opportunity to practice rural medicine and access to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons
  • View open OBGYN jobs in Wyoming.

For OBGYNs who crave wide-open spaces and a slower pace, Wyoming delivers. The state offers competitive salaries, a critical need for women’s health providers, and a lifestyle centered around nature’s grandeur. Whether you’re drawn to rural medicine in close-knit communities or a larger practice in Jackson or Cheyenne, Wyoming rewards those who want to blend meaningful work with unparalleled outdoor access.

As a rural state, Wyoming's focus is on expanding access to care through systems like Wyoming Medical Center and the University of Wyoming's WWAMI medical education program. Research opportunities often center on rural and frontier health, telemedicine, and improving obstetric outcomes in underserved populations.

Physicians

11. Arizona

  • Average Salary $259,776
  • Best for: Exceptional outdoor adventuring alongside a thriving healthcare market fueled by a growing population
  • View open OB/GYN jobs in Arizona

For OB/GYNs, Arizona offers a thriving healthcare market, a growing population, and a sun-soaked lifestyle. The state’s demand for women’s health services is high, and its lower cost of living (compared to coastal hubs) means your salary stretches further. Plus, after a shift, you can unwind with a hike through slot canyons or a spa day in Scottsdale. At the same time, Arizona's policy landscape is currently volatile, shifting between strict near-total abortion bans and older, less restrictive laws due to ongoing legal battles. This creates significant uncertainty for providers and patients.

Arizona's healthcare sector is rapidly growing, anchored by the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix. These institutions are leaders in translational bioscience and offer unique research opportunities in areas like healthy aging and Southwestern health disparities.

Shot

12. Texas

OB/GYNs in Texas enjoy no state income tax, a booming healthcare sector, and diverse practice settings—from Houston’s world-class medical centers to Austin’s boutique clinics. The state’s robust patient population and physician-friendly laws make it a standout for career growth, whether you’re drawn to big-city energy or charming smaller towns. However, you should be aware that Texas has enacted some of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, prohibiting the procedure with very limited exceptions. State policy also restricts funding for providers like Planned Parenthood.

Texas is home to the massive Texas Medical Center in Houston, the largest medical complex in the world, which includes Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth. The state also boasts leading institutions like UT Southwestern in Dallas, providing vast opportunities in clinical trials, cancer research, and maternal health.

FAQS about the Best States for OB/GYNs

What is the best state to work in as an OB/GYN?

Our top choice for the best state to work in as an OB/GYN is Washington because it has the highest compensation rates of any state, a robust healthcare system, and provider-friendly health policies. That's not to mention the natural beauty of the state and fantastic school systems.

Factors to look for in the best states to be in as an OB/GYN include higher rates of pay than cost of living, caps on malpractice and low to no income tax. Many factors may go into what makes one state better for locums than others, including access to quality schools, amenities, stage of life and career, and cost of living.

Which state pays the most for OB/GYN?

Without a doubt, coastal states have the highest pay rates. Generally, Washington, Massachusetts and Oregon have the highest pay rates.

What is the best OB/GYN residency?

The top viewed residency programs according to the American Medical Association are Rush University, Medstar Health, University of Alabama, Mass General Brigham and Mount Sinai. Something to consider here is that there are many highly ranked programs for OB/GYN residencies, but you’ll want to make a choice based on more than program rankings. Today, many future OB/GYNs assess where they do their residencies based on the local malpractice climate. Currently, the top states with strong malpractice caps are California, Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

Where are OB/GYNs most needed?

OB/GYNs are most needed in obstetric care gap areas. Currently, the top states in need of OB/GYNs are California, Texas, Pennsylvania and Washington. 

Are OB/GYNs underpaid?

Don’t even get us started. Yes, OB/GYNs are underpaid. Across the country, OB/GYN salaries have fallen behind while workloads have gone up exponentially. But pay is also starting to go up as states realize that they can’t attract talent unless the salaries offered are actually competitive. It's yet another reason to choose locums work, because dedicated recruiters will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Looking for an OB/GYN Locum Tenens Role?

If you're ready to explore exciting opportunities across the U.S.—from the scenic Pacific Northwest to the vibrant heart of the South—locum tenens could be your perfect next step. Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and the chance to practice in top-tier facilities while discovering new cities and landscapes. If you crave adventure, career growth, or a better work-life balance, Era Locums can help you find unmatched freedom. 

Browse open OB/GYN positions today and find your ideal match! 

Resources

  • Salary data from ZipRecruiter
  • Featured image from Unsplash by Zac Gudakov
  • Photo of doctor with patient by TopSphere Media

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