Number of DOs is over 150,000, latest OMP Report reveals

Profession update

There are now over 197,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students, according to the report, which also shares the top 10 states where DOs practice today.

As the osteopathic medical profession celebrates its 150th anniversary, the latest Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) report finds the profession to be in a consistent state of growth. This year, for the first ever, the number of DOs in the U.S. surpassed 150,000 (the exact number is 157,456). Eleven percent of all U.S. physicians are DOs.

As the number of osteopathic physicians continues to rise, so does the number of osteopathic medical students, with 39,942 currently working toward their degree. Twenty-eight percent of all U.S. medical students are in DO programs. The profession is also expected to surpass 200,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students in the year ahead. The number of DOs in the U.S. has quadrupled in just the past 30 years.

Each year, the AOA produces the OMP Report to track expansion and growth within the osteopathic medical profession and examine demographics and trends related to DOs and osteopathic medical students.

Primary care in demand

Reflecting the profession’s ongoing commitment to primary care, 53% of osteopathic candidates matched into primary care residency programs in 2024, leading osteopathic medical schools to make up 16 of the top 20 schools producing the most graduates practicing in primary care, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 rankings.

These physicians—and those who will join the workforce in coming years—will play a critical role in helping to alleviate a shortage of up to 86,000 U.S. physicians by 2036, as projected by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Overall, 57% of DOs practice in primary care specialties, while 43% practice in other specialties. The top five non-primary care specialties for DOs include emergency medicine, anesthesiology, OB/GYN, general surgery and psychiatry.

The OMP report also found that nearly 70% of DOs in active practice today are under age 45, which aligns with the growth in the profession.

As the profession continues to evolve, DOs will undoubtedly play an even more impactful role in the U.S. and global health care systems, expanding further into diverse specialties, shaping healthcare policy and improving access to care.

Where DOs practice

While DOs practice medicine in all 50 states, half of all DOs practice in eight states: California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey. Rounding out the top 10 states for DOs are Illinois and Arizona.

Read the full report on Osteopathic.org.