Is Pulmonary Critical Care a Good Career in 2026?

Managing respiratory diseases and providing critical care for the sickest patients.

Based on BLS employment data and national physician surveys

Pulmonary Critical Care Compensation & Earnings

Take-Home Pay by State

How much a Pulmonary Critical Care 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 Pulmonary Critical Care physician keeps $27,600 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $300,000.

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.

Career Lifestyle

Is Pulmonary Critical Care Worth It? →
Detailed ROI analysis, satisfaction deep-dive, and physician perspectives

Job Market & Future Outlook

Training & Getting Started

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

Subspecialty Fellowships

Interventional PulmonologySleep MedicineCritical CareTransplant Pulmonology

Explore Pulmonary Critical Care

Take the Next Step in Your Pulmonary Critical Care 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 June 2026), Pulmonary Critical Care is a medical specialty. Median total compensation is $0.