You're Basically Just an Administrative Assistant. Salary: $50,000 or less

Unable to find a position at a hospital or nursing home, you unfortunately must spend your time working at a local health care clinic that does not have the budget for you. You spend most of your time doing administrative work for little money, wondering how you're going to pay for all of your student loans.

The Rolling Geriatrician. Salary: $90,000

You've learned one of the hardest lessons about being a geriatrician: not everyone values a geriatrician. So while all of your medical school buddies have been able to find permanent residencies over at Big Bucks Hospital, you had to pick up a rotational gig at a few local nursing homes where you and a few other geriatricians alternate the days that you're there. It's not exactly the most stable gig, but at least you're beginning to develop a patient base.

Stable, Long-Term Geriatrician. Salary: $180,000

You've established your career as a stable member of a government funded long-term facility for older people. It's great, and you love the fact that you are able to develop a relationship with your patients. Families rely on you to make sure their loved one is in the best hands (and that their money is being well-spent).

Independent Private Practice. Salary: $200,000

You've got it your way. After building trust in the community (and ensuring that you won't kill someone's grandma) you're able to make a living with your own private practice. You set your own hours and determine when you go on vacation. You're able to establish a great relationship with your clients and truly feel like a part of the family.

Big Kahuna Hospital Director. Salary: $230,000+

You've entered the big leagues. Because of all your hard work and notoriety in the field, you've become head of the geriatrics department in your local hospital. Not only are you able to oversee the treatment and care when it comes to your older patients, but you are able to help enforce and lobby for change in the geriatric health world. That means you're able to help ensure that the doctors in your hospital not only have the best but also the right training, knowledge, and equipment needed to adequately treat patients.