Is Critical Care a Good Career in 2026?
Based on 33 approved physician salary reports
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 33 approved physician salary reports
Score Breakdown
Critical Care Compensation & Earnings
Critical Care Compensation
$480,000
$425,000 – $550,000(P25–P75)
Critical Care Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 33 approved salary reports
1 submissions
15 submissions
16 submissions
2 submissions
+7% salary growth from early career ($450,000) to mid-career ($480,000)
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Critical Care salary of $480K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Critical Care physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Critical Care physician keeps $44,160 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $480,000.
Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 employment. State rates from Tax Foundation 2025. Gross salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024. FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K). Actual take-home varies with deductions, filing status, and local taxes.
How does your compensation compare?
Benchmark yourself against 33 approved critical care salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 33 Critical Care physician reports — not job board estimates.
Job Market & Future Outlook
Training & Getting Started
4 years of post-medical-school training
Explore Critical Care
Take the Next Step in Your Critical Care Career
Real, physician-reported compensation data. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.
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Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology
According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data from 33 approved reports by Critical Care Physicians (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Critical Care is 66/100. Median total compensation is $480,000, career satisfaction is 3.7/5, and 91% would choose the specialty again.