Nephrologist Salary 2026: $400K Median | SalaryDr
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According to SalaryDr data from 31 verified nephrology physicians, the median total compensation for Nephrology in 2026 is $400,000. The 25th percentile is $350,000 and the 75th percentile is $500,000. Base salary: $350,107. Bonuses: $70,839 (17% receive). Satisfaction: 3.6/5. Workload: ~50 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/nephrology Sample size: 31. Last updated: March 28, 2026.

Data updated February 2026|31 verified submissions

Nephrologist Salary 2026: $400K Median

At a Glance: Nephrologist Salary (2026)

The median nephrologist salary in the United States is $400,000 per year as of March 2026, based on 31 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr. The average nephrologist salary is $420,946, with the 25th percentile at $350,000 and the 75th percentile at $500,000.

Median Salary
$400,000
Average Salary
$420,946
25th Percentile
$350,000
75th Percentile
$500,000
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated March 28, 2026

Median

$400,000

Average

$420,946

25th

$350,000

75th

$500,000

Based on 31 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$275K$275,000 – $575K$575,000
10th
$280K$280,000
25th
$350K$350,000
Median
$400K$400,000
75th
$500K$500,000
90th
$550K$550,000
Avg
Middle 50% earn
$350K$350,000 – $500K$500,000
Median salary
$400K$400,000
Average salary
$421K$420,946

Salary Range

Minimum$350,000
Maximum$750,000

Percentiles

25th$350,000
75th$500,000

Breakdown

Monthly$33,333
Hourly$192

How much does a Nephrologist make?

Quick Answer: Nephrologist Salary

a nephrologist earns approximately $400,000 per year, with most earning between $350,000 and $500,000 annually. This translates to about $162 per hour based on a 50-hour work week.

As of February 7, 2026, a Nephrologist earns approximately $400,000 per year ($33,333 monthly). Based on an average 50-hour work week, this translates to about $162 per hour.

Explore Nephrology salaries by location: California, Texas, New York, or view all Nephrology locations.

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 31 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $350,000 to $500,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $750,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Nephrologist salaries are above the national median.

Career Growth and Employment Trends

The salary progression for Nephrologist shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $397,948, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $437,556 – a 10% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

Most commonly, Nephrologist physicians work in Hospital Employed settings (39% of submissions). On average, base salary accounts for 83% of total compensation—about $350,107—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.

Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction

Nephrology Bonus & Incentive Pay (2026)

Based on 31 verified salary submissions. 90% of Nephrology physicians reported receiving bonus/incentive compensation.

$60,000
Median Bonus
90%
Report Bonus Pay
$45,000
25th Percentile
$80,000
75th Percentile

Bonus Compensation Overview

Average Bonus
$78,429
Median Bonus
$60,000
Bonus Range (IQR)
$45,000 - $80,000
Bonus as % of Total Comp
19%
Physicians with Bonus
28 of 31 (90%)

New Graduate Offer Package

Early Career Physicians
N=7
% Receiving Bonus

Nephrology Salaries by State

Browse All Specialties →

Explore nephrology salary data across different states. Click on any state to view detailed compensation information for that location.

ArizonaCaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaIllinois

Nephrology Salary FAQ (2026)

Answers based on 31 verified physician salary submissions, updated in real-time.

Explore More About Nephrologist Compensation

  • Nephrology Salary Overview
  • Nephrology Salary Benchmarks
  • Nephrology Salary Negotiation Guide
  • Nephrology in California
  • Nephrology Lifestyle & Satisfaction
  • Best Cities for Nephrology
  • Nephrology in Texas
  • Is Nephrology Worth It?
  • Nephrology in New York
  • Nephrology in Florida
  • Nephrology in Illinois
  • Nephrologist Lifestyle & Satisfaction
  • Take-Home Pay Calculator
  • Physician Salary FAQ
  • Early Career Nephrologist Salary
  • Mid-Career Nephrologist Salary
  • Offer Analyzer Tool

Nephrologist Compensation Benchmarks

Need benchmark data for nephrology compensation? Our on-demand benchmark reports include percentile analysis, BLS cross-validation, and IRS §482 compliance language.

View Nephrologist Benchmark DataAll Specialty Benchmarks

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Salary Comparison

Location Statistics

Average Salary

$420,946

Median Salary

$400,000

Salary Range

$350,000 - $500,000

National Comparison

National Average

$420,946

Difference

+0% vs National Average

Sample Size

31 local / 31 national reports

Salary by Practice Type

Private Practice
Average Salary
$486,667
Sample Size
9 submissions
Hospital-employed

Physician Satisfaction in Nephrology

Satisfaction Rating

3.6/5

Average satisfaction rating reported by Nephrology physicians (1-5 scale).

Would Choose Again

81%

Percentage of Nephrology physicians who would choose this specialty again.

Career Satisfaction

Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.

Primary Challenges

On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.

Monthly Nephrology Salary Benchmark

Get a monthly digest with new submissions, median changes, and how your comp compares.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Data from verified physician submissions only.

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.

Related Specialties

  • Internal Medicine salary data and compensation trends
  • Family Medicine salary data and compensation trends
  • Radiology salary data and compensation trends

How to Negotiate Your Nephrology Salary

Step-by-step guide to negotiating a competitive Nephrology salary with confidence and data-driven strategies.

6 Steps2 Hours
1

Research Market Rates

Research current Nephrology 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 →
2

Document Your Value Proposition

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.

3

Analyze Total Compensation Package

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.

4

Prepare Multiple Scenarios

Develop three negotiation scenarios: your minimum acceptable offer, target salary, and ideal compensation package. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs between salary and benefits.

5

Practice Your Pitch

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.

6

Schedule the Negotiation Meeting

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.

Help Build Better Physician Salary Data

We need more Nephrology physician in United States salary submissions to provide accurate insights. Your data helps colleagues make informed career decisions.

100% Anonymous
Verified Data
Always Free
Average Salary
$418,027
Sample Size
12 submissions
Academic
Average Salary
$365,300
Sample Size
10 submissions
Salary breakdown by practice type
Practice TypeAverage SalarySample Size
Private Practice$486,6679 submissions
Hospital-employed$418,02712 submissions
Academic$365,30010 submissions

* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

Nephrology physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 3.6 out of 5, with 81% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Career Path and Training Requirements

Becoming a nephrologist 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 nephrologists remains positive across most medical specialties.The specialty continues to offer stable career opportunities with competitive compensation.

86%
Median Bonus (0-3 yrs)
$27,500

Early career Nephrology physicians (0-3 years experience) frequently receive bonus packages including signing bonuses, relocation allowances, and productivity incentives as part of their initial offer.

Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New York
Pennsylvania
Texas

How much does a Nephrology make in 2026?

Based on 31 verified physician salary submissions on SalaryDr, the median Nephrology salary in 2026 is $400,000 per year. The average salary is $420,946. This works out to approximately $162 per hour based on a 50-hour work week.

What is the salary range for Nephrology?

The middle 50% of Nephrology physicians earn between $350,000 (25th percentile) and $500,000 (75th percentile). Top earners at the 90th percentile or above can make $750,000 or more annually. This data comes from 31 verified salary reports.

How much do first-year Nephrology physicians make?

Early career Nephrology physicians (0-5 years experience) earn a median salary of approximately $397,948, while those with 10+ years of experience earn around $437,556 — a 10% increase. The most significant salary growth typically occurs in years 3-7 of practice.

What is the average Nephrology signing bonus?

Among Nephrology physicians, 90% report receiving bonus or incentive compensation. The median bonus is $60,000 and the average is $78,429. Bonus packages typically include signing bonuses, productivity incentives, quality bonuses, and relocation allowances.

What is the base salary vs bonus split for Nephrology?

For Nephrology physicians, base salary accounts for approximately 83% of total compensation (around $350,107), with the remaining 17% coming from bonuses, incentives, and productivity pay. Total compensation averages $420,946 per year based on 31 verified submissions.

Are Nephrology physicians satisfied with their salary?

Nephrology physicians rate their overall job satisfaction at 3.6 out of 5, with 81% saying they would choose this specialty again. Satisfaction ratings account for compensation, work-life balance, and career fulfillment. Based on 31 verified responses.

How is Nephrology salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr collects Nephrology salary data from 31 anonymous, verified submissions by practicing physicians across the United States. Data includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, work hours, practice setting, and location — updated in real-time as new submissions arrive.

Data Source: All salary figures are based on 31 verified, anonymous submissions from practicing physicians. Data is updated in real-time as new submissions are received. Learn about our methodology.

  • Private Practice Nephrologist Salary
  • Full-Time Nephrologist Salary
  • Is Nephrology Worth It?
  • Nephrology Career Guide
  • Is Nephrology a Good Career? (Career Outlook)
  • Salary by Experience Level

    0-2 years
    Average Salary
    $273,333
    Sample Size
    3 submissions
    3-5 years
    Average Salary
    $453,332
    Sample Size
    7 submissions
    6-10 years
    Average Salary
    $373,636
    Sample Size
    11 submissions
    11-15 years
    Average Salary
    $458,600
    Sample Size
    5 submissions
    16+ years
    Average Salary
    $530,600
    Sample Size
    5 submissions
    Salary breakdown by years of experience
    Years of ExperienceAverage SalarySample Size
    0-2 years$273,3333 submissions
    3-5 years$453,3327 submissions
    6-10 years$373,63611 submissions
    11-15 years$458,6005 submissions
    16+ years$530,6005 submissions

    * Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

    Take-Home Pay Calculator

    Total Salary
    $400,000
    Federal Income Tax
    -$110,374
    State Income Tax
    -$20,000
    FICA Tax
    -$18,053
    Take-Home Pay
    $251,573
    Monthly
    $20,964
    Taxes (37.1%)
    Take-Home (62.9%)
    Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.

    Subspecialty Comparison

    Transplant

    Average Salary
    $441,182
    Sample Size
    11 submissions
    Performs life-saving organ transplantation procedures and manages complex immunosuppression protocols for transplant patients.
    Subspecialty salary comparison
    SubspecialtyAverage SalarySample SizeDescription
    Transplant$441,18211 submissionsPerforms life-saving organ transplantation procedures and manages complex immunosuppression protocols for transplant patients.

    * Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

    * Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.