Physician Pay Is Finally Transparent

See what physicians actually earn β€” based on 2,683+ verified submissions across 75 specialties.

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2025 Physician Salary Guide by Medical Specialty

Comprehensive doctor salary data from real physicians across the United States. Compare physician compensation, medical doctor pay scales, and healthcare salaries by specialty.

πŸ’°Highest Paying Medical Specialties

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery$1.2M+
  • Neurosurgery$900K+
  • Orthopedic Surgery$795K+
  • Anesthesiology$535K+
  • Emergency Medicine$415K+
View All Physician Salaries β†’

πŸ“ˆDoctor Salary by Experience

Resident Physician$55K-65K
New Attending (1-3 years)$250K-350K
Mid-Career (4-10 years)$300K-450K
Senior Physician (10+ years)$400K-600K
Department Chief$500K-800K
Physician Salary Benchmarks β†’

πŸ› οΈExplore Physician Salaries

  • Browse by Medical Specialty
  • Filter by Geographic Location
  • Compare Practice Settings
  • Analyze Career Trajectories
  • Real Physician Compensation
Explore Interactive Database β†’

Physician Salaries by State and City in 2025

Discover regional variations in doctor compensation across the United States. Compare physician salaries by state, metropolitan area, and cost of living adjustments.

πŸ—ΊοΈTop Paying States

California$420K
New York$395K
Texas$385K
Florida$375K
Washington$365K
View All States β†’

πŸ™οΈTop Metro Areas

San Francisco$485K
New York City$445K
Los Angeles$425K
Chicago$395K
Houston$385K
View All Metro Areas β†’

πŸ₯By Practice Setting

Private Practice$425K
Academic Medical Center$345K
Hospital Employment$375K
Locum Tenens$395K
Government/VA$285K
Compare Settings β†’

βš–οΈLifestyle Metrics

Avg Hours/Week52 hrs
Call Frequency4/month
Vacation Days28 days
Burnout Rate42%
Would Choose Again78%
View Lifestyle Data β†’

Geographic Salary Analysis: Cost of Living vs. Physician Compensation

Understanding physician salary variations by geographic location is crucial for career planning. Our data shows significant regional differences in doctor compensation, often reflecting local healthcare demand, cost of living, and competitive market dynamics.

High-Paying Regions

  • West Coast: Premium salaries in California, Washington, and Oregon due to high demand and cost of living
  • Northeast Corridor: Competitive compensation in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey
  • Texas Metro Areas: Strong physician salaries with favorable tax structures

Emerging Markets

  • Southeastern Growth: Rising physician demand in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia
  • Rocky Mountain Region: Lifestyle-focused positions with competitive packages
  • Midwest Opportunities: Excellent value proposition with lower cost of living

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: When evaluating physician job opportunities, consider both gross salary and cost-adjusted compensation. A $350K salary in Austin, TX might provide better purchasing power than a $450K salary in San Francisco, CA.

🎯 Real Physician Lifestyle Insights

Go beyond salary data. Discover what it's really like to practice in different medical specialties with authentic insights from real physicians about work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily life.

Family Medicine

Satisfaction
4.3/5
Would Choose Again82%

"Excellent work-life balance with strong patient relationships and diverse scope of practice..."

Read Full Insights β†’

Internal Medicine

Satisfaction
4/5
Would Choose Again73%

"Intellectually stimulating with broad scope of practice and strong diagnostic challenges..."

Read Full Insights β†’

Emergency Medicine

Satisfaction
4.2/5
Would Choose Again78%

"Fast-paced environment with immediate impact on patient outcomes and varied cases..."

Read Full Insights β†’

Common Career Questions We Answer

What's the work-life balance like in Emergency Medicine?

Real insights from EM physicians about shift work, burnout, and family time.

Should I choose Dermatology over Internal Medicine?

Side-by-side comparisons of lifestyle, satisfaction, and career prospects.

What do Orthopedic Surgery residents wish they knew?

Honest advice from practicing surgeons about training and career reality.

Which specialties have the happiest doctors?

Data-driven rankings based on satisfaction surveys from real physicians.

What's daily life like as a Radiologist?

Day-in-the-life descriptions from practicing radiologists across different settings.

How do you maintain work-life balance in surgery?

Practical tips and honest insights from surgical specialists.

Medical Career Planning: From Medical School to Attending Physician

Make informed decisions about your medical career path using real salary data. From specialty selection to residency matching and beyond.

Physician Career Salary Timeline

M1-M4

Medical School (4 years)

Average debt: $250,000 - $350,000

Focus on USMLE scores, research, and specialty exploration

PGY

Residency Training (3-7 years)

Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 annually

80+ hours/week, intensive clinical training

FEL

Fellowship (Optional, 1-3 years)

Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 annually

Subspecialty training, research opportunities

ATT

Attending Physician (Career)

Salary: $250,000 - $800,000+ annually

Varies significantly by specialty, location, and practice setting

πŸ“Š ROI Calculation

Despite 7-11 years of training at below-market wages, physician careers typically achieve positive ROI within 5-10 years post-graduation, with lifetime earnings significantly exceeding most other professions.

Specialty Selection Factors

πŸ’°Financial Considerations

  • β€’ Average starting salary and earning potential
  • β€’ Practice overhead and malpractice insurance costs
  • β€’ Length of training and opportunity cost
  • β€’ Geographic salary variations
  • β€’ Employment vs. private practice income

βš–οΈLifestyle Factors

  • β€’ Work-life balance and call schedule
  • β€’ Average hours per week
  • β€’ Vacation time and flexibility
  • β€’ Burnout rates by specialty
  • β€’ Job satisfaction scores

🎯Competitiveness & Match Rates

  • β€’ USMLE Step scores by specialty
  • β€’ Research requirements and publications
  • β€’ Match rates for US MD vs DO vs IMG
  • β€’ Geographic preferences and flexibility
  • β€’ Backup specialty considerations

Top-Paying Medical Specialties in 2025

Common Questions About Physician Pay

Frequently Asked Questions