Is Infectious Disease a Good Career in 2026?

Based on BLS employment data and national physician surveys

SalaryDr Career Intelligence

Based on BLS employment data and national physician surveys

0
/ 100
Good

* Limited data — score may shift as more physicians contribute

Score Breakdown

Salary
0
Satisfaction
0
Demand
0
Would Choose Again
0
Work-Life Balance
0
Training ROI
0
AI Resilience
0

Demand score powered by BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034): 3.3% projected growth (as fast as average)

$236,350
Median Salary
3.3%
10yr Growth

Infectious Disease Compensation & Earnings

Infectious Disease Compensation

$236,350

BLS National Estimate
See Full Infectious Disease Salary Data →

Best States for Infectious Disease Physicians (After Tax)

Georgia$384,117
Gross: $406,430Very High (5,000)
Missouri$349,770
Gross: $367,020Limited (90)
South Dakota$339,050
Gross: $339,050Low (160)
Washington$323,100
Gross: $323,100Moderate (810)
Minnesota$300,654
Gross: $327,510High (1,870)

Estimate Your Take-Home

Based on median Infectious Disease salary of $236K/yr

Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay

Full Take-Home Calculator

Take-Home Pay by State

How much a Infectious Disease physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes

Highest Take-Home States

1
Georgia
Gross: $406,430 · 36.4% tax
$258,399
+$203,000/yr
2
Missouri
Gross: $367,020 · 34.9% tax
$238,771
+$183,372/yr
3
South Dakota
Gross: $339,050 · 29.7% tax
$238,498
+$183,099/yr
4
Washington
Gross: $323,100 · 29.3% tax
$228,505
+$173,106/yr
5
North Dakota
Gross: $306,540 · 31.0% tax
$211,386
+$155,987/yr

Lowest Take-Home States

47
Tennessee
Gross: $67,150 · 17.5% tax
$55,399
$203,000/yr
48
New Jersey
Gross: $155,570 · 32.1% tax
$105,593
$152,806/yr
49
Delaware
Gross: $153,600 · 31.0% tax
$105,925
$152,474/yr
50
Nevada
Gross: $154,040 · 24.9% tax
$115,748
$142,651/yr
51
New York
Gross: $173,340 · 32.9% tax
$116,232
$142,167/yr

Tax impact: A Infectious Disease physician keeps $203,000 more per year in Georgia vs. Tennessee — a 85.9% difference on gross income of $236,350.

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.

Median: $236,350/yr
Infectious Disease Physician Salary (2026)

Career Lifestyle

Is Infectious Disease Worth It? →
Detailed ROI analysis, satisfaction deep-dive, and physician perspectives

Job Market & Future Outlook

Job Market Outlook

BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) for Infectious Disease

3.3%projected growth
as fast as average
Infectious Disease3.3%
All occupations avg4%
73,200
practicing today
+2,400
new positions by 2034

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034. Includes wage/salary and self-employed physicians.

AI & Automation Impact

76/100 · High Resilience
8 FDA-cleared AI devices
16% of core tasks AI-compatible

AI helps track resistance patterns and optimize antibiotics, but novel infections and immunocompromised patients need human infectious disease expertise.

3.3% projected growth (2024-2034)
Infectious Disease Job Market — Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Data sources: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (May 2024) • BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology

According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data (as of March 2026), the Physician Career Score for Infectious Disease is 50/100. Median total compensation is $236,350. The BLS reports 73,200 practicing Infectious Disease Physicians nationally with 3.3% projected growth (2024-2034).