Is Physical Medicine Rehabilitation a Good Career in 2026?

Restoring function and quality of life for patients with physical disabilities and injuries.

Based on BLS employment data and national physician surveys

Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Compensation & Earnings

Take-Home Pay by State

How much a Physical Medicine Rehabilitation physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes

Highest Take-Home States

1
Alaska
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
2
Florida
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
3
Nevada
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
4
New Hampshire
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
5
South Dakota
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr

Lowest Take-Home States

47
California
Gross: $300,000 · 37.9% tax
$186,433
−$27,600/yr
48
Oregon
Gross: $300,000 · 37.7% tax
$187,033
−$27,000/yr
49
District of Columbia
Gross: $300,000 · 37.6% tax
$187,333
−$26,700/yr
50
Hawaii
Gross: $300,000 · 37.5% tax
$187,633
−$26,400/yr
51
Minnesota
Gross: $300,000 · 36.9% tax
$189,433
−$24,600/yr

Tax impact: A Physical Medicine Rehabilitation physician keeps $27,600 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $300,000.

Calculate your exact take-home pay →Need physician-specific tax planning? Talk to Doc Wealth

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.

Career Lifestyle

Is Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Worth It? →
Detailed ROI analysis, satisfaction deep-dive, and physician perspectives

Job Market & Future Outlook

How Hard Is It to Match Into Physical Medicine Rehabilitation?

Very High CompetitivenessSource: NRMP 2024 Charting Outcomes

Physical Medicine Rehabilitation is one of the most competitive specialties to match into, with only 84.8% of U.S. MD seniors successfully matching. There were 0.59 applicants per position (343 applicants for 577 spots). Matched applicants had significantly higher Step 2 CK scores (248 vs 236). Students scoring >260 matched at 97%, compared to 76% for those scoring 231-240.

84.8%
Match Rate
0.59:1
Applicant Ratio
248
Avg Step 2 CK
577
Positions
343
Applicants

Match Rate by Step 2 CK Score

231-240
76%
241-250
85%
251-260
96%
>260
97%

What Differentiates Matched Applicants

MetricMatchedUnmatched
Step 2 CK248236
Research Experiences3.43.3
Publications96
AOA Members14%0%
Programs Ranked145

Data from Charting Outcomes in the Match, National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), 2024. U.S. MD seniors. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Training & Getting Started

4 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options

Subspecialty Fellowships

Sports MedicinePain MedicineSpinal Cord Injury MedicineBrain Injury MedicinePediatric RehabilitationNeuromuscular Medicine

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Explore Physical Medicine Rehabilitation

Full Salary Data
Percentiles, trends, comparisons
Is It Worth It?
ROI analysis and satisfaction deep-dive
Practice Settings
Academic vs private vs employed
Salary Trends
Historical compensation changes
Best Cities
Top cities by salary and lifestyle
Salary Explorer
Compare all specialties side by side

Take the Next Step in Your Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Career

Real compensation data from verified physicians. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.

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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 April 2026), Physical Medicine Rehabilitation is a medical specialty. Median total compensation is $0.