Is Pain Management a Good Career in 2026?
Evaluating and treating acute and chronic pain through multimodal approaches.
Based on 26 approved physician salary reports
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 26 approved physician salary reports
Score Breakdown
Pain Management Compensation & Earnings
Pain Management Compensation
$630,000
$465,000 – $800,000(P25–P75)
Pain Management Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 26 approved salary reports
3 submissions
6 submissions
19 submissions
1 submissions
+79% salary growth from early career ($435,000) to mid-career ($780,000)
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Pain Management salary of $630K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Pain Management physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Pain Management physician keeps $57,960 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $630,000.
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 26 approved pain management salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 26 Pain Management physician reports — not job board estimates.
Job Market & Future Outlook
Training & Getting Started
4 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options
Subspecialty Fellowships
Physicians Also Consider
Explore Pain Management
Take the Next Step in Your Pain Management 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 26 approved reports by Pain Management Physicians (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Pain Management is 76/100. Median total compensation is $630,000, career satisfaction is 4.3/5, and 92% would choose the specialty again.