Source: SalaryDr salary data for Critical Care (N=25 verified submissions, updated February 11, 2026, data as of 2026-02-11). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
The median critical care salary in the United States is $450,000 per year as of February 2026, based on 25 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr. The average critical care salary is $470,261, with the 25th percentile at $400,000 and the 75th percentile at $505,000.
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated
$450,000
$470,261
$400,000
$505,000
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 $158 per hour based on a 57-hour work week.
As of February 11, 2026, a Critical Care earns approximately $450,000 per year ($37,500 monthly). Based on an average 57-hour work week, this translates to about $158 per hour.
Explore Critical Care salaries by location: California, Texas, New York, or view all Critical Care locations.
From 25 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.
The salary progression for Critical Care shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $448,877, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $490,000 – a 9% increase.
Most commonly, Critical Care physicians work in Hospital Employed settings (60% of submissions). On average, base salary accounts for 85% of total compensation—about $398,861—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Go beyond salary data. Discover real physician experiences, work-life balance insights, and what Critical Care doctors love (and would change) about their specialty.
Explore critical care salary data across different states. Click on any state to view detailed compensation information for that location.
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.
Critical Care is considered a high-earning specialty, with median salaries above $400,000 annually.
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.
Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive physician salary benchmarks to see how compensation compares across different specialties and regions.
View Physician Benchmarks| Years of Experience |
|---|
Distribution based on 25 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $450,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Critical Care physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Critical Care physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$470,261
Median Salary
$450,000
Salary Range
$400,000 - $505,000
National Average
$470,261
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
25 local / 25 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-employed | $488,000 | 15 submissions |
| Academic | $416,250 | 8 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Average Salary: $400,000
Based on 150 reports
Average Salary: $380,000
Based on 120 reports
Average Salary: $350,000
Based on 100 reports
Average Salary: $340,000
Based on 90 reports
Average Salary: $360,000
Based on 80 reports
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.
Get answers to the most common questions about physician salaries in Critical Care.
Data Source: All salary information is based on verified submissions from practicing physicians and is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.
Step-by-step guide to negotiating a competitive Critical Care salary with confidence and data-driven strategies.
Research current Critical Care salary data using verified sources like SalaryDr, MGMA, and local market reports. Document the median, 25th, and 75th percentile ranges for your specialty and experience level.
Learn more →Create a comprehensive list of your qualifications, certifications, years of experience, patient outcomes, and any unique skills or subspecialty training. Quantify your contributions with specific metrics where possible.
Look beyond base salary to include benefits, bonuses, CME allowances, malpractice insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks. Calculate the total compensation value to make informed comparisons.
Develop three negotiation scenarios: your minimum acceptable offer, target salary, and ideal compensation package. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs between salary and benefits.
Rehearse your negotiation conversation focusing on your value to the organization, market data, and specific reasons for your salary request. Practice addressing common objections professionally.
Request a formal meeting with decision-makers. Present your research professionally, emphasize your value, and be prepared to negotiate on multiple aspects of the compensation package.
Professional Tip: This guide provides general recommendations. Always consult with career advisors, mentors, and legal professionals for personalized advice specific to your situation.
We need more Critical Care physician in United States salary submissions to provide accurate insights. Your data helps colleagues make informed career decisions.
| Average Salary |
|---|
| Sample Size |
|---|
| 0-2 years | $441,667 | 3 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $452,360 | 7 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $442,857 | 7 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $477,500 | 6 submissions |
| 16+ years | $650,000 | 2 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Critical Care physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 3.8 out of 5, with 92% saying they would choose this specialty again.
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.
The job outlook for critical cares remains positive across most medical specialties.The specialty continues to offer stable career opportunities with competitive compensation.