Is Infectious Disease a Good Career in 2026?
Based on 73 verified physician submissions + BLS employment projections
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 73 verified physician submissions + BLS employment projections
Score Breakdown
Demand score powered by BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034): 3.3% projected growth (as fast as average)
Infectious Disease Compensation & Earnings
Infectious Disease Compensation
$360,000
$340,000 – $385,000(P25–P75)
Infectious Disease Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 73 verified submissions
20 submissions
46 submissions
7 submissions
+15% salary growth from early career ($327,500) to mid-career ($375,000)
Best States for Infectious Disease Physicians (After Tax)
| State | Median Salary | After-Tax Income | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $450,000(2) | $450,000 | Very High(2,930 jobs) |
| Washington | $450,000(3) | $450,000 | Moderate(810 jobs) |
| New York | $400,000(3) | $370,000 | Very High(11,110 jobs) |
| Massachusetts | $380,000(17) | $361,000 | Very High(2,010 jobs) |
| Iowa | $375,000(5) | $360,750 | Low(360 jobs) |
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Infectious Disease salary of $360K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Infectious Disease physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Infectious Disease physician keeps $203,000 more per year in Georgia vs. Tennessee — a 56.4% difference on gross income of $360,000.
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 73 verified infectious disease salaries — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 73 verified Infectious Disease physicians — not job board estimates.
Job Market & Future Outlook
Job Market Outlook
BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) for Infectious Disease
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034. Includes wage/salary and self-employed physicians.
AI & Automation Impact
AI helps track resistance patterns and optimize antibiotics, but novel infections and immunocompromised patients need human infectious disease expertise.
Training & Getting Started
5 years of post-medical-school training
Explore Infectious Disease
Take the Next Step in Your Infectious Disease Career
Real compensation data from verified physicians. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.
Powered by SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology
According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data from 73 verified Infectious Disease Physicians (as of August 2026), the Physician Career Score for Infectious Disease is 61/100. Median total compensation is $360,000, career satisfaction is 4.0/5, and 90% would choose the specialty again. The BLS reports 73,200 practicing Infectious Disease Physicians nationally with 3.3% projected growth (2024-2034).