SalaryDr vs MGMA vs Sullivan Cotter

See how SalaryDr benchmark data compares to MGMA, Sullivan Cotter, AMGA, and BLS. Pricing, data freshness, methodology, and coverage — all in one place.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSalaryDrMGMASullivan CotterAMGABLS OEWS
Starting Price$799 per report$3,000+/year$5,000+/year$2,500+/yearFree
Data FreshnessRolling (daily updates)Annual surveyAnnual surveyAnnual surveyAnnual (18-month lag)
Data SourcePhysician-reportedEmployer-reportedEmployer-reportedEmployer-reportedEmployer surveys (BLS)
Specialty Granularity75+ specialties60+ specialties50+ specialties40+ specialties~15 broad categories
Geographic BreakdownsState + Region + NationalRegion + NationalRegion + NationalRegion + NationalState + Metro
BLS Cross-ValidationN/A (is BLS)
IRS §482 / FMV Language
FTE Normalization
wRVU Benchmarking
On-Demand (No Subscription)
API Access
Practice Setting Analysis

Comparison based on publicly available information as of 2026. Features and pricing subject to change.

Why Organizations Choose SalaryDr

No Subscription Required

MGMA and Sullivan Cotter require annual subscriptions starting at $3,000–$5,000+. SalaryDr reports are one-time purchases from $799 — no recurring costs, no contracts. Buy only what you need, when you need it.

Physician-Reported Data

MGMA and Sullivan Cotter rely on employer-reported compensation data. SalaryDr captures physician-reported figures directly, providing an independent and complementary perspective. Using both employer-reported and physician-reported sources strengthens any FMV analysis.

Rolling Data Updates

Traditional vendors publish annual surveys that can be 12–18 months stale by the time you use them. SalaryDr collects verified submissions continuously, so reports reflect current market compensation rather than last year’s figures.

Built-In BLS Validation

Every SalaryDr report automatically cross-references compensation data against Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS published data. This multi-source validation provides the independent verification IRS examiners and FMV appraisers expect — no separate BLS analysis required.

Use SalaryDr Alongside Your Existing Sources

Many CPA firms and valuation consultants use SalaryDr as a third-party validation source alongside MGMA or Sullivan Cotter. Having multiple independent data sources strengthens transfer pricing analyses and FMV determinations.

Multi-Source Validation Approach

  1. 1Primary source: MGMA or Sullivan Cotter (employer-reported survey data)
  2. 2Independent validation: SalaryDr (physician-reported + BLS cross-validation)
  3. 3Government benchmark: BLS OEWS (included in every SalaryDr report)

This three-source approach demonstrates due diligence and provides the independent multi-source verification that IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60 contemplates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use SalaryDr instead of MGMA?
MGMA requires an annual subscription starting at $3,000+/year and publishes survey data once per year. SalaryDr offers on-demand reports starting at $799 with no subscription — pay only for what you need. Our data is physician-reported (vs. employer-reported) and updated continuously, providing a complementary and independent data source. Reports also include BLS OEWS cross-validation for multi-source verification.
Is SalaryDr data accepted for IRS §482 compliance?
Yes. Our Premium Benchmark Suite includes FTE-normalized percentile analysis with arm's length determination language specifically written for IRS §482 transfer pricing documentation and fair market value (FMV) determinations. Many CPA firms use SalaryDr alongside MGMA or Sullivan Cotter as an independent validation source.
How does SalaryDr compare to BLS data?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data is free but limited to ~15 broad physician categories with 18-month reporting lag. SalaryDr provides 75+ specialty-specific benchmarks with rolling updates. Every SalaryDr report automatically cross-references against BLS published data for independent multi-source validation.
Can I use SalaryDr data for Stark Law compliance?
Yes. Our independently sourced, physician-reported compensation data provides the credible third-party benchmarks that Stark Law compliance reviews require. The Premium Suite includes FMV language suitable for regulatory filings and compliance documentation.
Do I need a subscription?
No. SalaryDr benchmark reports are one-time purchases with no recurring fees. Buy a single report for $799 or a Premium Suite for $1,999. Organizations needing multiple reports can purchase bundles of 10 ($5,999) or 25 ($12,499) at significant per-report savings.
How does physician-reported data compare to employer-reported data?
Employer-reported data (MGMA, Sullivan Cotter) captures what organizations pay. Physician-reported data (SalaryDr) captures what physicians receive, including all compensation components. Using both sources provides a more complete picture and strengthens FMV and transfer pricing analyses with independent verification from different perspectives.

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