Physician Salary Trends
Discover the latest compensation trends across 42 medical specialties. Interactive analysis showing 10th percentile, median, and 90th percentile salaries based on submissions from practicing physicians.
For a quick summary, see our Physician Salary Guide (2026).
Interactive Salary Trends by Specialty
Each dot represents the 10th percentile, median, and 90th percentile total compensation for attending physicians in that specialty. Specialties are ranked by median salary and include only those with at least 15 reports.
Interactive: Hover over specialties to highlight, click to see detailed values
Showing top 20 specialties by median salary (out of 42 total)
| Specialty | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | $520k | $1.1M | $1.6M | 26 |
| Neurosurgery | $739k | $895k | $1.3M | 99 |
| Thoracic Surgery | $620k | $790k | $1.0M | 20 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $548k | $770k | $1.0M | 124 |
| Plastic Surgery | $610k | $740k | $900k | 74 |
| Ophthalmology | $413k | $670k | $950k | 100 |
| Cardiology | $400k | $620k | $990k | 180 |
| Dermatology | $427k | $620k | $978k | 88 |
| Pain Management | $435k | $615k | $875k | 26 |
| Vascular Surgery | $500k | $613k | $800k | 56 |
| Interventional Radiology | $484k | $600k | $768k | 53 |
| Urology | $500k | $590k | $718k | 88 |
| Radiation Oncology | $506k | $585k | $627k | 43 |
| Radiology | $459k | $560k | $700k | 116 |
| Gastroenterology | $454k | $550k | $703k | 94 |
| Anesthesiology | $365k | $528k | $688k | 164 |
| Otolaryngology | $445k | $525k | $650k | 43 |
| General Surgery | $389k | $513k | $700k | 141 |
| Hematology/Oncology | $350k | $490k | $604k | 125 |
| Critical Care | $396k | $480k | $589k | 33 |
Highest Paying Specialties
Key Trends & Statistics
How to Use This Salary Trend Data
Salary Negotiation
Use percentile data to understand your market position and negotiate fair compensation.
Career Planning
Compare specialties to make informed decisions about fellowship training and career paths.
Market Research
Understand compensation trends and regional variations in physician salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the dots in the salary chart represent?
Each dot represents a salary percentile: the left dot shows 10th percentile (10% of physicians earn less), the middle dot shows median salary (50% earn less), and the right dot shows 90th percentile (90% earn less). The horizontal line connects the 10th and 90th percentiles to show the salary range.
How often is the salary trend data updated?
The salary trend data is updated daily with new physician submissions. The page shows the last updated date and includes only specialties with at least 15 attending reports, enough to publish a 10th–90th percentile range.
How can I use this salary trend data for negotiations?
Use the percentile data to understand your market position. If your salary is below the median for your specialty, you have room to negotiate. The 10th-90th percentile range shows the typical salary spread, helping you set realistic expectations.
Which medical specialties pay the highest salaries?
Based on our data, surgical specialties typically pay the highest salaries, with neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery often leading the compensation rankings. However, salary varies significantly by location, experience, and practice setting.
Want More Detailed Trend Analysis?
Get access to location-specific salary data, practice setting breakdowns, and years of experience analysis.