Source: SalaryDr Medical Residency Salary Guide (2026). Average PGY-1 salary: $67,400/year. Salary by PGY year, moonlighting rates, and residency-to-attending salary comparisons. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary
Medical Residency Salary Guide (2026)
Everything you need to know about how much medical residents earn in 2026 — from PGY-1 through PGY-6+, top-paying locations, moonlighting income, benefits, and how residency pay compares to attending physician salaries.
Quick Answer
The average medical resident salary in the United States is approximately $67,400 per year for PGY-1 (2026), increasing roughly $2,000–$3,000 per year of training. By PGY-6+, residents can earn $76,000–$88,000 per year. These figures represent national averages and vary by program and location.
Residency Salary by PGY Year (2026)
National average salary ranges for medical residents by postgraduate year level. Figures represent total annual stipend before taxes.
| PGY Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $63,000–$72,000 |
| PGY-2 | $65,000–$75,000 |
| PGY-3 | $67,000–$78,000 |
| PGY-4 | $70,000–$81,000 |
| PGY-5 | $73,000–$84,000 |
| PGY-6+ | $76,000–$88,000 |
Note: These are national averages and vary by program, institution, and geographic location. Some high-cost-of-living programs pay above these ranges.
Highest-Paying Residency Locations
Cities with the highest nominal residency salaries. Keep in mind that higher pay often correlates with higher cost of living, so purchasing power may not increase proportionally.
New York City, NY
PGY-1 Range: $72,000–$82,000
Very high cost of living; many programs offer housing stipends
San Francisco, CA
PGY-1 Range: $70,000–$80,000
Highest COL in the U.S.; adjusted purchasing power is lower
Boston, MA
PGY-1 Range: $68,000–$76,000
High COL; strong academic programs with research opportunities
Los Angeles, CA
PGY-1 Range: $69,000–$78,000
High COL; wide range of programs from academic to community
Seattle, WA
PGY-1 Range: $68,000–$75,000
No state income tax increases take-home pay
Chicago, IL
PGY-1 Range: $65,000–$73,000
Moderate COL relative to coastal cities; strong program variety
Residency vs. Attending Salary: The Gap by Specialty
The jump from residency to attending-level income is the single largest salary increase in a physician’s career. The gap varies significantly by specialty.
| Specialty | Residency Salary | Attending Median | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $63,000–$78,000 | $250,000 | 3.5x |
| Internal Medicine | $63,000–$78,000 | $280,000 | 3.9x |
| Emergency Medicine | $63,000–$78,000 | $415,000 | 5.8x |
| General Surgery | $63,000–$84,000 | $450,000 | 5.9x |
| Anesthesiology | $63,000–$81,000 | $535,000 | 7.4x |
| Cardiology | $63,000–$88,000 | $550,000 | 7.1x |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $63,000–$84,000 | $795,000 | 10.8x |
| Neurosurgery | $63,000–$88,000 | $750,000 | 9.7x |
Attending salary figures are approximate medians from the SalaryDr Physician Salary Database. Multiplier represents attending median divided by average residency salary for that training path.
Moonlighting During Residency
Many residency programs allow moonlighting as a way for residents to supplement their income. There are two main types:
Internal Moonlighting
Working additional clinical shifts within your own institution, often covering extra call or staffing urgent care clinics run by the hospital.
Typical rate: $75–$150/hour
External Moonlighting
Working clinical shifts at an outside hospital or clinic, independent of your training program. Requires program approval and an unrestricted medical license in most states.
Typical rate: $100–$250/hour
Important: Moonlighting must comply with ACGME duty-hour regulations (80-hour weekly limit averaged over 4 weeks). Not all programs permit external moonlighting, and some restrict moonlighting during certain rotations. Always check your program’s policies first.
Benefits Beyond Salary
Residency compensation extends beyond the base stipend. Most programs offer a benefits package that adds meaningful value.
Health & Dental Insurance
Most programs provide comprehensive health insurance for residents and dependents, often at reduced or no premium cost.
$8,000–$15,000/year value
Meal Stipends
Monthly or annual meal allowances for on-call meals and cafeteria access during clinical rotations.
$500–$1,500/year
Housing Allowance
Some programs in high-cost areas provide housing stipends or subsidized on-campus housing options.
$0–$10,000/year (varies widely)
Student Loan Benefits
Income-driven repayment plans, loan deferment options, and some programs offer partial loan repayment assistance or PSLF-eligible employment.
Varies; PSLF can save $100,000+
CME & Education
Annual allowance for conferences, books, board review courses, and continuing medical education materials.
$500–$2,000/year
Malpractice Insurance
Programs provide malpractice coverage during residency at no cost to the resident, covering all clinical activities.
Included at no cost
After Residency: What Comes Next
Completing residency is the gateway to attending-level compensation. Your next steps depend on specialty, fellowship plans, and career goals.
Straight to Practice
Physicians who do not pursue fellowship can enter practice immediately after residency. Starting attending salaries range from $250,000 for primary care to $500,000+ for surgical specialties. Most new attendings also receive signing bonuses of $20,000–$50,000.
Explore attending salariesFellowship Training
Subspecialty fellowship adds 1–3 years of training at fellow-level pay ($70,000–$90,000). While this delays full earning potential, fellowship-trained physicians often earn 20–50% more as attendings than their generalist peers.
Salary by career stage FAQBrowse Attending Salaries by Specialty
Residency Salary FAQ
How much do medical residents make in 2026?
Medical residents earn between $63,000 and $88,000 per year in 2026, depending on their postgraduate year (PGY) level and program location. PGY-1 residents average approximately $67,400 per year, with salary increasing roughly $2,000–$3,000 per year of training.
Do residency salaries vary by specialty?
Residency salaries are generally determined by the training institution and PGY level rather than specialty. However, programs in higher cost-of-living areas tend to pay more. The real salary difference by specialty emerges after residency when attending-level compensation can vary by 3x–10x.
Can residents moonlight to earn extra income?
Many residency programs allow moonlighting, either internally (within the same institution) or externally (at outside facilities). Internal moonlighting rates are typically $75–$150 per hour, while external moonlighting rates can range from $100–$250 per hour depending on specialty and location. Moonlighting policies vary by program and must comply with ACGME duty-hour regulations.
What benefits do residents receive beyond salary?
Most residency programs provide health and dental insurance, meal stipends ($500–$1,500 per year), housing allowances or subsidized housing in some locations, a CME/education allowance ($500–$2,000 per year), malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. Some programs offer student loan deferment or repayment assistance.
How does residency pay compare to other professions?
At $63,000–$88,000 per year working 60–80+ hours per week, resident physicians earn roughly $15–$22 per hour. This is less than many other healthcare professionals on an hourly basis. However, residency training leads to attending physician salaries of $250,000–$800,000+, making it a long-term investment.
Do residency salaries keep up with inflation?
Residency salaries have increased approximately 2–3% per year over the past decade. While this roughly tracks inflation, the high cost of living in many academic medical centers means real purchasing power gains are modest. Some programs offer cost-of-living adjustments for high-expense areas.
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