Is Pulmonology 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

Pulmonology Compensation & Earnings

Take-Home Pay by State

How much a Pulmonology 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 Pulmonology 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 Pulmonology 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

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Explore Pulmonology

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 Pulmonology 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 March 2026), Pulmonology is a medical specialty. Median total compensation is $0.