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SalaryDr Career Intelligence

Data-driven career insights for every physician specialty

Compare physician careers with our proprietary Career Score. Real salary data, physician satisfaction ratings, BLS job outlook, and insights from physician salary reports.

Career Scores by Specialty

Ranked by our proprietary Career Score (0-100), combining salary, satisfaction, demand, retention, work-life balance, and training ROI.

#1
84

Dermatologist

Treating skin, hair, and nail conditions with both medical and procedural approaches.

$620,000
Median
6.4%
Growth
88
Physicians
#2
80

Orthopedic Surgeon

Surgically and non-surgically treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

$775,000
Median
4.1%
Growth
125
Physicians
#3
80

Ophthalmologist

Treating eye diseases and performing vision-restoring surgical procedures.

$670,000
Median
4.3%
Growth
100
Physicians
#4
79

Plastic Surgeon

Reconstructing and enhancing form and function through surgical and non-surgical techniques.

$750,000
Median
3.9%
Growth
74
Physicians
#5
77

Neurosurgeon

Performing surgical treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system.

$900,000
Median
3.9%
Growth
99
Physicians
#6
76

Pain Management Physician

Evaluating and treating acute and chronic pain through multimodal approaches.

$630,000
Median
—
Growth
26
Physicians
#7
75

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Performing surgery on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other thoracic structures.

$1,200,000
Median
—
Growth
26
Physicians
#8
72

Urologist

Treating urinary tract and male reproductive conditions surgically and medically.

$600,000
Median
3.9%
Growth
89
Physicians
#9
72

Radiation Oncologist

Treating cancer with precisely targeted radiation therapy.

$585,000
Median
—
Growth
43
Physicians
#10
72

Cardiologist

Diagnosing and treating heart disease — the leading cause of death worldwide.

$623,000
Median
4.1%
Growth
180
Physicians
#11
71

Otolaryngologist (ENT)

Treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and head & neck through surgical and medical management.

$525,000
Median
—
Growth
41
Physicians
#12
69

Anesthesiologist

Ensuring patient safety and comfort during surgery and medical procedures.

$535,000
Median
3.2%
Growth
166
Physicians
#13
69

Gastroenterologist

Diagnosing and treating digestive system disorders with both medical and procedural approaches.

$550,000
Median
3.3%
Growth
94
Physicians
#14
69

Vascular Surgeon

Treating diseases of arteries, veins, and lymphatic system through open and endovascular techniques.

$615,000
Median
3.9%
Growth
56
Physicians
#15
69

Radiologist

Diagnosing disease and guiding treatment through medical imaging technology.

$580,000
Median
2.7%
Growth
117
Physicians
#16
67

Psychiatrist

Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders through medication and therapy.

$355,000
Median
6.1%
Growth
103
Physicians
#17
67

Neurologist

Diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

$420,000
Median
5.4%
Growth
69
Physicians
#18
66

General Surgeon

Performing operative management of abdominal, trauma, and critical care conditions.

$525,000
Median
3.9%
Growth
141
Physicians
#19
66

Emergency Medicine Physician

Providing immediate care for acute injuries and life-threatening conditions.

$410,000
Median
2.7%
Growth
145
Physicians
#20
66

Hematology/Oncology Physician

Treating blood disorders and cancers through chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.

$495,000
Median
3.3%
Growth
126
Physicians
#21
65

Physiatrist

Restoring function and quality of life for patients with physical disabilities and injuries.

$400,000
Median
3.7%
Growth
38
Physicians
#22
64

Pathologist

Diagnosing disease through laboratory analysis of tissue, blood, and body fluids.

$391,000
Median
4.2%
Growth
56
Physicians
#23
62

Endocrinologist

Managing hormonal disorders including diabetes, thyroid disease, and metabolic conditions.

$360,000
Median
3.3%
Growth
62
Physicians
#24
62

Addiction Medicine Physician

Treating substance use disorders and behavioral addictions through evidence-based medical approaches.

$315,000
Median
—
Growth
17
Physicians
#25
61

Rheumatologist

Diagnosing and treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases affecting joints, muscles, and organs.

$350,000
Median
3.3%
Growth
61
Physicians
#26
60

Internist

Managing complex adult medical conditions as both primary care and hospitalist physicians.

$340,000
Median
3.3%
Growth
188
Physicians
#27
58

Family Medicine Physician

Providing comprehensive primary care across all ages and conditions.

$310,000
Median
2.7%
Growth
159
Physicians
#28
57

Obstetrics & Gynecology Physician

Providing women's reproductive healthcare from adolescence through menopause.

$425,000
Median
1.2%
Growth
77
Physicians
#29
51

Pediatrician

Providing medical care for infants, children, and adolescents through age 21.

$310,000
Median
0.8%
Growth
272
Physicians

Specialty Demand Comparison

BLS 10-year projected employment growth rate by physician specialty. The all-occupations average is 3.1%.

Faster than average
Average
Slower than average

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034.

AI Impact on Physician Specialties

Which specialties face the most disruption from artificial intelligence — and which are most protected? Based on FDA-cleared AI device counts, task automation analysis, and physician survey data.

AI Resilience Score (0-100) measures how protected a specialty is from AI disruption. Based on FDA-cleared AI/ML medical device counts (ACR AI Central, Dec 2025), task automation analysis (Brookings/McKinsey frameworks), and physician survey data. Higher score = more resilient.

Browse by Category

Surgical

Cardiothoracic SurgeonGeneral SurgeonBariatric SurgeonNeurosurgeonObstetrics & Gynecology PhysicianOphthalmologistOral & Maxillofacial SurgeonOrthopedic SurgeonOtolaryngologist (ENT)Plastic SurgeonReproductive UrologistUrogynecologistUrologistVascular Surgeon

Medical

Addiction Medicine PhysicianDermatologistNeurologistObesity Medicine PhysicianPhysiatristPsychiatristRadiation Oncologist

Primary Care

Family Medicine PhysicianInternistPediatrician

Diagnostic

Nuclear Medicine PhysicianPathologistRadiologist

Hospital-Based

AnesthesiologistEmergency Medicine Physician

Subspecialty Medicine

Allergist/ImmunologistCardiologistEndocrinologistGastroenterologistHematology/Oncology PhysicianInterventional Pain PhysicianMedical OncologistPain Management PhysicianPulmonologistRheumatologist

For medical students

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Career Resources

In-depth guides for physician career decisions, job searching, and negotiations.

Salary Explorer
Compare all specialty salaries side by side
Physician Career Guides
Career outlook, job search, and specialty comparison articles
Contract Negotiation Guide
How to negotiate your physician employment contract

From the Blog

📝
Career Advice
Guides for every career stage
🔬
Specialty Deep Dives
What each specialty is really like
SalaryDr Career Intelligence provides Career Scores for 29+ medical specialties, combining physician-reported salary data with BLS employment projections. Each Career Score (0-100) factors salary, satisfaction, demand, work-life balance, and training ROI. Source: salarydr.com/careers.

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Specialties
  • All Physician Salaries
  • Salaries by City
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Salaries by State
  • Residency Salaries
  • For dentists
Tools
  • Specialty Pay Briefings
  • Salary Comparison
  • Financial Calculators
  • Take Home Calculator
  • Offer Analyzer
  • Compare Specialties
  • Physician Jobs
Salary Data
  • Physician Careers
  • Physician Salary Guide
  • Salary Trends
  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Compensation Components
  • Annual Report
  • Benchmark Reports
Circle
  • SalaryDr Circle
  • Latest discussions
  • Submit Your Salary
  • Share Feedback
  • Salary FAQ
  • Physician Resources
  • Review My Residency
Company
  • About
  • Methodology
  • Contact
  • Partner with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Circle Guidelines
  • DMCA Policy
  • Data Retention
  • Cookie Policy
  • Safe Harbor
  • Data Requests

Follow Us

  • TikTok (@salarydr)
  • Instagram (@salarydr_)
  • X (Twitter) (@salarydr)

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