Is Nephrology a Good Career in 2026?
Based on 33 verified physician submissions
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 33 verified physician submissions
Score Breakdown
Nephrology Compensation & Earnings
Nephrology Compensation
$390,000
$335,000 – $433,000(P25–P75)
Nephrology Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 33 verified submissions
1 submissions
12 submissions
16 submissions
5 submissions
+27% salary growth from early career ($319,000) to mid-career ($405,000)
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Nephrology salary of $390K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Nephrology physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Nephrology physician keeps $35,880 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $390,000.
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 verified nephrology salaries — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 33 verified Nephrology physicians — not job board estimates.
What Physicians Actually Say
Thematic analysis of career insights from Nephrology physicians. Based on 5 anonymized responses.
About the Career (2 responses)
Compensation
50%1 physician mentioned this
“There is less money in academic. Old colleagues in private practice are making 800k+ a year.”— Academic, 18 yrs
Team & Collaboration
50%1 physician mentioned this
“There is less money in academic. Old colleagues in private practice are making 800k+ a year.”— Academic, 18 yrs
About the Lifestyle (3 responses)
Family Time
67%2 physicians mentioned this
“i would say this atypical of Nephrology. 250,000 of my salary comes from dialysis center directorshop. I did not include my share from JV with dialysis units, but that has significantly decreased because of cut reimbursements to dialysis. It took me 5 years to become partner and i think that's ...”— Private Practice, 5 yrs
“I do 13 weeks 24/7 with home call. Patient load 20-40 The rest I do 2.5 days clinic and then add dialysis on days I don’t do clinic. Generally I get Thursday off to do Administrative work”— Academic, 3 yrs
Call Impact
67%2 physicians mentioned this
“I work 5 days a week, no call or weekends worked. Flexible schedhule and easily able to move around patients if necessary. Mostly medical directorship and academic work rather than full-time clinical.”— Academic, 18 yrs
“I do 13 weeks 24/7 with home call. Patient load 20-40 The rest I do 2.5 days clinic and then add dialysis on days I don’t do clinic. Generally I get Thursday off to do Administrative work”— Academic, 3 yrs
Good Work-Life Balance
33%1 physician mentioned this
“I work 5 days a week, no call or weekends worked. Flexible schedhule and easily able to move around patients if necessary. Mostly medical directorship and academic work rather than full-time clinical.”— Academic, 18 yrs
Predictable Schedule
33%1 physician mentioned this
“I work 5 days a week, no call or weekends worked. Flexible schedhule and easily able to move around patients if necessary. Mostly medical directorship and academic work rather than full-time clinical.”— Academic, 18 yrs
Job Market & Future Outlook
Training & Getting Started
4 years of post-medical-school training
Explore Nephrology
Take the Next Step in Your Nephrology Career
Real compensation data from verified physicians. 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 verified Nephrology Physicians (as of August 2026), the Physician Career Score for Nephrology is 60/100. Median total compensation is $390,000, career satisfaction is 3.6/5, and 82% would choose the specialty again.