Source: SalaryDr Medical Student Loan Debt Analysis (2026). Based on 271 approved salary reports. Median student loan debt: $250,000. Median resident salary: $72,000. Debt-to-income ratio: 3.47x. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/student-loans
Medical Student Loan Debt & Residency Salary (2026)
Real student loan data from 271 residents and fellows. Median debt: $250,000. See how debt compares across specialties, program types, and explore payoff projections based on attending physician salaries.
Student Loan Debt Overview (2026)
Based on 271 approved salary reports from residents and fellows who reported student loan data.
Quick Answer
The median student loan debt among residents is $250,000, while the median residency salary is $72,000 per year. This means the typical resident carries a debt-to-income ratio of 3.47x their annual salary. For most physicians, meaningful loan repayment does not begin until attending-level income.
Source: SalaryDr approved salary reports • Updated Oct 2026
Student Loan Debt by Specialty
Median student loan debt reported by residents in each specialty. Sorted by highest debt. Specialties with fewer than 3 submissions are excluded.
| Specialty | Median Debt | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatrics | $360,000 | 9 |
| General Surgery | $350,000 | 23 |
| Emergency Medicine | $300,000 | 15 |
| Radiology | $294,000 | 10 |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $270,000 | 5 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | $260,000 | 5 |
| Family Medicine | $253,000 | 22 |
| Internal Medicine | $250,000 | 57 |
| Anesthesiology | $250,000 | 25 |
| Cardiology | $250,000 | 9 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $225,000 | 13 |
| Neurology | $225,000 | 8 |
| Urology | $203,000 | 8 |
| Psychiatry | $200,000 | 17 |
| Interventional Radiology | $187,500 | 8 |
| Ophthalmology | $178,000 | 9 |
Student Loan Debt: Academic vs. Community Programs
Median student loan debt by program type. Academic programs at nonprofit institutions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Academic
Community
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for Residents
Residents at nonprofit or government hospitals may qualify for PSLF. Under this program, remaining federal loan balances are forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) while employed by a qualifying employer.
- Residency years count toward the 120-payment requirement
- Income-driven repayment plans keep payments low during training
- Academic medical centers are typically qualifying employers
- Private practice physicians do not qualify unless at a 501(c)(3)
- PSLF can save physicians $100,000 or more over the life of their loans
Estimated Loan Payoff Timeline by Specialty
How long it could take to pay off student loans after residency, assuming 20% of attending gross income is allocated to loan repayment at 6% interest.
| Specialty | Median Debt | Years to Payoff |
|---|---|---|
| Interventional Radiology | $187,500 | ~2 years |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $225,000 | ~2 years |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | $260,000 | ~2 years |
| Urology | $203,000 | ~2 years |
| Anesthesiology | $250,000 | ~3 years |
| Radiology | $294,000 | ~3 years |
| Cardiology | $250,000 | ~3 years |
| Ophthalmology | $178,000 | ~3 years |
| Psychiatry | $200,000 | ~4 years |
| Emergency Medicine | $300,000 | ~4 years |
| Neurology | $225,000 | ~4 years |
| Internal Medicine | $250,000 | ~5 years |
Assumes 20% of attending gross salary goes to loan repayment at 6% annual interest. Actual payoff time will vary based on repayment strategy, interest rate, and lifestyle spending.
A Interventional Radiology resident with $187,500 in median debt earning $675,000 as an attending could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years by allocating $135,000/year (20% of gross income) to repayment.
A Orthopedic Surgery resident with $225,000 in median debt earning $725,000 as an attending could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years by allocating $145,000/year (20% of gross income) to repayment.
A Cardiothoracic Surgery resident with $260,000 in median debt earning $862,000 as an attending could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years by allocating $172,400/year (20% of gross income) to repayment.
A Urology resident with $203,000 in median debt earning $771,000 as an attending could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years by allocating $154,200/year (20% of gross income) to repayment.
Medical Students: Debt So Far
Verified medical students are adding their debt so far. We publish a median once 10 students in a group have reported, rounded to the nearest $5,000 and never with a name or school.
Medical student? Add your debt anonymouslyStudent Loan Debt FAQ
What is the average medical school debt for residents?
Based on 271 resident and fellow submissions on SalaryDr, the median student loan debt is $250,000 with an average of approximately $253,825. National estimates put average medical school debt at over $200,000 for the class of 2026.
How does student loan debt compare across specialties?
Student loan debt levels are relatively similar across specialties since debt is accumulated before residency begins. However, longer training programs mean more years of accruing interest before attending-level income begins. Surgical subspecialties with 5-7 year residencies face significantly more interest accumulation than 3-year primary care residencies.
Should I pursue PSLF during residency?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) can be an excellent option for residents at nonprofit or government hospitals. Under PSLF, remaining federal loan balances are forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) while working for a qualifying employer. Since residency itself counts toward these 120 payments, residents who enroll in an income-driven repayment plan early can make low payments during training while the clock ticks toward forgiveness. This is especially valuable for residents entering lower-paying specialties.
How long does it take to pay off medical school debt?
With a median debt of $250,000 and a median residency salary of $72,000, aggressive repayment during residency is difficult. Most physicians pay off their medical school debt within 5-10 years of becoming an attending, depending on specialty income, lifestyle choices, and repayment strategy. Allocating 20% of attending gross income to loans is a common target.
Student Loan Data by Specialty
Explore detailed student loan debt data for specific residency specialties, including debt-to-income ratios and payoff projections.
Share Your Salary & Loan Data
Your anonymous submission helps thousands of medical students and residents make informed decisions about their financial future. Include your student loan balance when submitting.