Is Infectious Disease a Good Career in 2026?
Based on 77 approved physician salary reports + BLS employment projections
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 77 approved physician salary reports + 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 – $390,000(P25–P75)
Infectious Disease Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 77 approved salary reports
2 submissions
2 submissions
22 submissions
47 submissions
8 submissions
+11% salary growth from early career ($337,500) 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) |
| Illinois | $400,000(10) | $380,200 | High(1,660 jobs) |
| New York | $400,000(3) | $370,000 | Very High(11,110 jobs) |
| Massachusetts | $380,000(17) | $361,000 | Very High(2,010 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 77 approved infectious disease salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 77 Infectious Disease physician reports — 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, physician-reported compensation data. 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 77 approved reports by Infectious Disease Physicians (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Infectious Disease is 62/100. Median total compensation is $360,000, career satisfaction is 4.1/5, and 92% would choose the specialty again. The BLS reports 73,200 practicing Infectious Disease Physicians nationally with 3.3% projected growth (2024-2034).