Critical Care Salary Data
Median
$450,000
Average
$465,936
25th
$400,000
75th
$505,000
Salary Range
Percentiles
Breakdown
How much does a Critical Care make?
Quick Answer: Critical Care Salary
a critical care earns approximately $450,000 per year, with most earning between $400,000 and $505,000 annually. This translates to about $155 per hour based on a 58-hour work week.
As of November 12, 2025, a Critical Care earns approximately $450,000 per year ($37,500 monthly). Based on an average 58-hour work week, this translates to about $155 per hour.
Explore Critical Care salaries by location: California, Texas, New York, or view all Critical Care locations.
Salary Range and Market Analysis
From 23 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $400,000 to $505,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $700,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Critical Care salaries are above the national median.
Career Growth and Employment Trends
The salary progression for Critical Care shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $435,593, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $493,750 – a 13% increase.
Practice Settings and Compensation Structure
On average, base salary accounts for 86% of total compensation—about $401,805—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction
Critical Care physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 3.8 out of 5, with 91% saying they would choose this specialty again.
Career Path and Training Requirements
Becoming a critical care requires extensive medical training including medical school, residency, and often fellowship training. The total training time ranges from 7-8 years post-undergraduate education.
Job Outlook and Future Prospects
The job outlook for critical cares remains positive across most medical specialties.The specialty continues to offer stable career opportunities with competitive compensation.
Critical Care Salaries by State
Browse All Specialties →Explore critical care salary data across different states. Click on any state to view detailed compensation information for that location.
Popular Locations
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $400,000
Based on 150 reports
Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $380,000
Based on 120 reports
Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $350,000
Based on 100 reports
Houston, TX
Average Salary: $340,000
Based on 90 reports
Miami, FL
Average Salary: $360,000
Based on 80 reports
Boston, MA
Average Salary: $370,000
Based on 70 reports
* Showing locations with the most reported salaries.
* Some locations may be omitted if they have fewer than 3 reports.
Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Care Salaries
What factors influence Critical Care salaries?
Critical Care salaries are influenced by geographic location, years of experience, practice setting (hospital vs. private practice), subspecialty training, and local market demand. Academic positions typically offer lower base salaries but may include benefits like research opportunities and protected time.
How do Critical Care salaries compare to other medical specialties?
Critical Care is considered a high-earning specialty, with median salaries above $400,000 annually.
What is the job outlook for Critical Care?
The demand for Critical Care remains strong, driven by an aging population and increased access to healthcare. Job opportunities are expected to grow, particularly in underserved areas and growing metropolitan regions.
Compare Physician Salaries
Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive physician salary benchmarks to see how compensation compares across different specialties and regions.
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