Physician wRVU Rates 2026
Work RVU (wRVU) compensation rates across physician specialties and practice settings, based on verified compensation reports.
wRVU Rates by Specialty
Top 15 specialties ranked by median wRVU rate.
| Specialty | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $72.00 | 72 |
| Thoracic Surgery | $72.00 | 17 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $70.00 | 66 |
| Plastic Surgery | $70.00 | 55 |
| Ophthalmology | $69.00 | 45 |
| Cardiology | $68.00 | 108 |
| Vascular Surgery | $68.00 | 43 |
| Dermatology | $68.00 | 75 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | $68.00 | 12 |
| Pediatric Surgery | $68.00 | 15 |
| Urology | $66.00 | 61 |
| General Surgery | $66.00 | 86 |
| Burn Surgery | $66.00 | 13 |
| Radiology | $65.00 | 57 |
| Gastroenterology | $64.00 | 66 |
wRVU Rates by Practice Setting
How wRVU compensation rates compare across practice settings.
| Practice Setting | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $66.00 | 629 |
| Hospital Employed | $65.00 | 42 |
| Community Hospital | $63.00 | 18 |
| Hospital-employed | $60.00 | 1,002 |
| Large Health System | $58.00 | 10 |
| Academic | $57.00 | 569 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average physician wRVU rate in 2026?
Based on 2,274 verified physician submissions, the median wRVU rate is $60.00 per wRVU. The 25th percentile is $50.00 and the 75th percentile is $68.00.
Which specialties have the highest wRVU rates?
The specialties with the highest median wRVU rates include Neurosurgery ($72.00/wRVU), Thoracic Surgery ($72.00/wRVU), Orthopedic Surgery ($70.00/wRVU). Rates tend to be higher for procedural and surgical specialties.
How do wRVU rates differ by practice setting?
wRVU rates vary across practice settings. Private Practice has a median rate of $66.00/wRVU; Hospital Employed has a median rate of $65.00/wRVU; Community Hospital has a median rate of $63.00/wRVU. Private practices may offer higher per-wRVU rates while hospital systems often provide more stable base salaries.
Related Compensation Data
Source: SalaryDr salary data (N=2,274 verified submissions, updated August 26, 2026, data as of 2026-08-26). URL: https://www.salarydr.com