Should I Choose Pulmonology? Real Physician Decision Guide (2026) | SalaryDr
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  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle Insights
  3. Pulmonology
  4. Should I Choose?

Should I Choose Pulmonology?

Real decision-making data from 4 verified Pulmonology physicians. Here is what they actually think.

4/5
Avg Satisfaction
100%
Would Choose Again
59
Avg Hours/Week
$797K
Avg Compensation

The Verdict

100%
of Pulmonology physicians would choose the specialty again

An overwhelming 100% of Pulmonology physicians say they would choose the specialty again -- a strong endorsement.

Work-Life Balance Reality in Pulmonology

59
average hours per week reported by Pulmonology physicians
“Flexible in how much hours I pick.”
— Pulmonology Physician
“A lot of call and some weeks are 89 hours depending on ICU coverage and procedures. Some weeks are easier however other weeks suck the life out of me and can take a toll on family time. ”
— Pulmonology Physician
“50/50 pulmonary and critical care role. 1 week full AM/PM clinic with weekend off. 1 week AM clinic/PM hospital rounds and procedures with weekend off. 1 week critical care with 7 days of 12 hour shift. 1 week off for every week of critical care. Contract requires 12-13 weeks of critical care so get 12-13 weeks off. Critical care has a set base pay with no RVU incentive. Pulmonary also has a base pay with RVU incentive (4200 target per year). Bonus for RVU earned over 4200”
— Pulmonology Physician

How Pulmonology Compares

See how Pulmonology stacks up against other popular specialties.

PulmonologyCurrent
Satisfaction:4/5
Choose Again:100%
Hours:59
Comp:$797K
Pediatrics
Satisfaction:4/5
Choose Again:84%
General Dentist
Satisfaction:3.5/5
Choose Again:83%
Family Medicine
Satisfaction:3.6/5
Choose Again:76%
SpecialtySatisfactionWould Choose Again

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pulmonology worth it?

Based on 4 verified physician responses, Pulmonology physicians report 4/5 average satisfaction and 100% say they would choose the specialty again. Average total compensation is $797K. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities, but the data suggests most physicians are satisfied with their choice.

What's the work-life balance like in Pulmonology?

Pulmonology physicians work an average of 59 hours per week. One physician shared: "Flexible in how much hours I pick."

How much do Pulmonology physicians make?

Based on SalaryDr data, Pulmonology physicians earn an average total compensation of $797K. With an average of 59 hours per week, that translates to roughly $260/hour.

Still deciding? Hear from more Pulmonology physicians

Explore detailed lifestyle insights or contribute your own experience to help others make their decision.

View Full Pulmonology InsightsShare Your Experience

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Specialties
  • All Physician Salaries
  • Salaries by City
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Salaries by State
Tools
  • Salary Comparison
  • Take Home Calculator
  • Offer Analyzer
  • Compare Specialties
  • Salary Negotiation
Salary Data
  • Salary Benchmarks
  • Salary Trends
  • Compensation Analysis
  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Compensation Components
  • Annual Report
Community
  • SalaryDen Forum
  • Latest Discussions
  • Submit Your Salary
  • Share Feedback
  • Salary FAQ
For Dentists
  • All Dentist Salaries
  • Dental Salary Database
  • Dentist Salary by State
  • Submit Dental Salary
  • Dental Calculator
Legal
  • About
  • Methodology
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Community Guidelines
  • DMCA Policy
  • Data Retention
  • Cookie Policy
  • Safe Harbor
  • Data Requests

Follow SalaryDr

  • TikTok (@salarydr)
  • Instagram (@salarydr_)
  • X (Twitter) (@salarydr)

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Avg Hours
Avg Comp
PulmonologyCurrent4/5100%59$797K
Pediatrics4/584%46$355K
General Dentist3.5/583%36$364K
Family Medicine3.6/576%44$315K