Is critical care worth it in 2026?

Based on 33 approved physician salary reports on SalaryDr, 91% of critical care physicians would choose their specialty again. The median critical care physician salary is $480,000 per year, working an average of 55 hours per week.

How satisfied are critical care physicians?

Critical Care Physicians report an average career satisfaction of 3.7 out of 5, and 91% say they would choose critical care again. This is based on 33 approved physician salary reports on SalaryDr.

What is the average critical care physician salary?

The average critical care physician salary is $482,198 per year, with a median of $480,000. The 25th percentile earns $425,000 and the 75th percentile earns $550,000, based on 33 approved salary reports on SalaryDr.

Source: SalaryDr satisfaction data for Critical Care (N=33 approved reports). URL: https://www.salarydr.com

Last updated: November 9, 2026 | Based on 33 approved salary reports

Is Critical Care Worth It? (2026)

At a Glance: Is Critical Care Worth It?

91% of critical care physicians would choose their specialty again, with an average satisfaction of 3.7/5 and median salary of $480,000, based on 33 approved physician salary reports on SalaryDr.

Satisfaction: 3.7/5
Would Choose Again: 91%
Median Salary: $480,000
Avg Hours: 55/wk

Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated November 9, 2026

The Numbers

Median

$480,000

Average

$482,198

25th

$425,000

75th

$550,000

Based on 33 physician salaries

25thMiddle 50%75th

$425K$550K

Salary Distribution

$425K$425,000 – $613K$612,500

25th

$425K$425,000

Median

$480K$480,000

75th

$550K$550,000

Middle 50% earn

$425K$425,000 – $550K$550,000

Median salary

$480K$480,000

Average salary

$482K$482,198

Percentiles

25th$425,000

75th$550,000

Breakdown

Monthly$40,000

Hourly$231

Satisfaction Breakdown

Career Satisfaction3.7 / 5

Based on 33 physician responses (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied)

Would Choose Again91%

29 of 32 respondents would choose critical care again

Average Hours Worked55 hrs/week

Based on 33 physician responses (bar scaled to 80 hrs/week)

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