Is Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation a Good Career in 2026?
Restoring function and quality of life for patients with physical disabilities and injuries.
Based on 38 approved physician salary reports + BLS employment projections
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 38 approved physician salary reports + BLS employment projections
Score Breakdown
Demand score powered by BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034): 3.7% projected growth (as fast as average)
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Compensation & Earnings
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Compensation
$400,000
$350,000 – $420,000(P25–P75)
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 38 approved salary reports
9 submissions
1 submissions
11 submissions
24 submissions
3 submissions
+15% salary growth from early career ($350,000) to mid-career ($402,500)
Best States for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians (After Tax)
| State | Median Salary | After-Tax Income | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $500,000(2) | $487,500 | Very High(5,150 jobs) |
| Georgia | $420,000(5) | $396,942 | Very High(6,790 jobs) |
| Massachusetts | $400,000(6) | $380,000 | Very High(7,890 jobs) |
| Wyoming | $373,100 | $373,100 | Low(420 jobs) |
| Pennsylvania | $375,000(3) | $363,488 | Very High(17,780 jobs) |
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation salary of $400K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician keeps $222,652 more per year in South Dakota vs. District of Columbia — a 55.7% difference on gross income of $400,000.
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 38 approved physical medicine & rehabilitation salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 38 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician reports — not job board estimates.
Job Market & Future Outlook
Job Market Outlook
BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034. Includes wage/salary and self-employed physicians.
AI & Automation Impact
Rehabilitation medicine is inherently hands-on. AI may quantify progress but cannot perform the clinical assessment or motivate patients.
How Hard Is It to Match Into Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?
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.
Match Rate by Step 2 CK Score
What Differentiates Matched Applicants
| Metric | Matched | Unmatched |
|---|---|---|
| Step 2 CK | 248 | 236 |
| Research Experiences | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Publications | 9 | 6 |
| AOA Members | 14% | 0% |
| Programs Ranked | 14 | 5 |
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
5 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options
Subspecialty Fellowships
Physicians Also Consider
Explore Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Take the Next Step in Your Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 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 38 approved reports by Physiatrists (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is 66/100. Median total compensation is $400,000, career satisfaction is 4.1/5, and 97% would choose the specialty again. The BLS reports 315,400 practicing Physiatrists nationally with 3.7% projected growth (2024-2034).