The article presents an analysis of the results of the study of the criteria for doctors' career success who work in city hospitals in St. Petersburg (surgeons and therapists). Definitions of professionalism and authority, as the main indicators of career, in the responses of doctors of both specialties are meaningfully close (this is “the result of work”, “the opinions of patients and colleagues”). Professionalism is often denoted by professional qualification, and authority is a social category.