New specialist income figures show that obstetricians and gynaecologists are earning $179 an hour, although there remains a significant earnings gap between female and male practitioners.

The figures — taken from the MABEL longitudinal survey of more than 8000 doctors across Australia — found on average male obstetricians and gynaecologists earned $22 more an hour than female colleagues, averaging $160 per hour.

Across all specialties, the top earners were radiologists, whose median hourly income after tax but before practice costs was $261.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists in the lowest quarter of earners took home less than $115 per hour, while those in the highest quarter made at least $268 per hour before tax.