Physician Salary Components 2026
Beyond base salary, physician compensation includes several key components. Explore data-driven breakdowns of signing bonuses, wRVU rates, and call pay across specialties and locations.
Signing Bonus
Explore physician signing bonus data by specialty and state. See which specialties command the highest sign-on bonuses and what percentage of offers include one.
View Full Data →wRVU Rates
Compare work RVU compensation rates across specialties and practice settings. Understand how wRVU-based pay varies and what drives higher per-RVU rates.
View Full Data →Call Pay
Review on-call compensation data by specialty and state. See how call pay varies for surgical vs. non-surgical specialties and across different regions.
View Full Data →Understanding Physician Compensation Components
Signing Bonuses
Signing bonuses are one-time payments offered to attract physicians to a new position. They are commonly used in competitive specialties and underserved areas. Most signing bonuses include a repayment clause if the physician leaves before a specified period, typically 1-3 years.
wRVU Rates
Work Relative Value Units (wRVUs) measure physician productivity. Many compensation models pay a base salary plus a per-wRVU bonus above a threshold. Understanding your wRVU rate is critical for evaluating productivity-based compensation offers.
Call Pay
Call pay compensates physicians for being available outside regular hours. Structures include flat daily/nightly rates, per-call stipends, or annual amounts. Surgical and hospital-based specialties typically command higher call pay due to the intensity and frequency of on-call responsibilities.
Explore More
Source: SalaryDr salary data (N=multiple approved reports). URL: https://www.salarydr.com