Oncologist Salary 2026: $500K Median | SalaryDr
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According to SalaryDr data from 25 verified oncology physicians, the median total compensation for Oncology in 2026 is $500,000. The 25th percentile is $470,000 and the 75th percentile is $525,000. Base salary: $448,190. Bonuses: $77,400 (15% receive). Satisfaction: 4.1/5. Workload: ~49 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/oncology Sample size: 25. Last updated: March 28, 2026.

Data updated December 2025|25 verified submissions

Oncologist Salary 2026: $500K Median

At a Glance: Oncologist Salary (2026)

The median oncologist salary in the United States is $500,000 per year as of March 2026, based on 25 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr. The average oncologist salary is $525,590, with the 25th percentile at $470,000 and the 75th percentile at $525,000.

Median Salary
$500,000
Average Salary
$525,590
25th Percentile
$470,000
75th Percentile
$525,000
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated March 28, 2026

Median

$500,000

Average

$525,590

25th

$470,000

75th

$525,000

Based on 25 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$443K$442,500 – $553K$552,500
10th
$450K$450,000
25th
$470K$470,000
Median
$500K$500,000
75th
$525K$525,000
90th
$545K$545,000
Avg
Middle 50% earn
$470K$470,000 – $525K$525,000
Median salary
$500K$500,000
Average salary
$526K$525,590

Salary Range

Minimum$470,000
Maximum$1,100,000

Percentiles

25th$470,000
75th$525,000

Breakdown

Monthly$41,667
Hourly$240

How much does an Oncologist make?

Quick Answer: Oncologist Salary

an oncologist earns approximately $500,000 per year, with most earning between $470,000 and $525,000 annually. This translates to about $207 per hour based on a 49-hour work week.

As of December 20, 2025, an Oncologist earns approximately $500,000 per year ($41,667 monthly). Based on an average 49-hour work week, this translates to about $207 per hour.

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

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 25 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $470,000 to $525,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $1,100,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Oncologist salaries are above the national median.

Career Growth and Employment Trends

The salary progression for Oncologist shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $506,796, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $540,357 – a 7% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

Most commonly, Oncologist physicians work in Hospital Employed settings (44% of submissions). On average, base salary accounts for 85% of total compensation—about $448,190—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.

Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction

Oncology Bonus & Incentive Pay (2026)

Based on 25 verified salary submissions. 96% of Oncology physicians reported receiving bonus/incentive compensation.

$67,500
Median Bonus
96%
Report Bonus Pay
$45,000
25th Percentile
$80,000
75th Percentile

Bonus Compensation Overview

Average Bonus
$80,625
Median Bonus
$67,500
Bonus Range (IQR)
$45,000 - $80,000
Bonus as % of Total Comp
15%
Physicians with Bonus
24 of 25 (96%)

New Graduate Offer Package

Not enough early career data available yet. Bonus packages for new graduates typically include signing bonuses ($10,000-$50,000+), relocation allowances, and loan repayment assistance.

Oncology Salaries by State

Browse All Specialties →

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

ArizonaCaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaIllinois

Oncology Salary FAQ (2026)

Answers based on 25 verified physician salary submissions, updated in real-time.

Explore More About Oncologist Compensation

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

Oncologist Compensation Benchmarks

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

View Oncologist Benchmark DataAll Specialty Benchmarks

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Share your salary anonymously and help build the most accurate oncology compensation database. It takes less than 2 minutes.

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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.

Oncology physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 4.1 out of 5, with 96% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Career Path and Training Requirements

Becoming an oncologist 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 oncologists remains positive across most medical specialties.The specialty continues to offer stable career opportunities with competitive compensation.

Indiana
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Oregon
Pennsylvania

How much does a Oncology make in 2026?

Based on 25 verified physician salary submissions on SalaryDr, the median Oncology salary in 2026 is $500,000 per year. The average salary is $525,590. This works out to approximately $207 per hour based on a 49-hour work week.

What is the salary range for Oncology?

The middle 50% of Oncology physicians earn between $470,000 (25th percentile) and $525,000 (75th percentile). Top earners at the 90th percentile or above can make $1,100,000 or more annually. This data comes from 25 verified salary reports.

How much do first-year Oncology physicians make?

Early career Oncology physicians (0-5 years experience) earn a median salary of approximately $506,796, while those with 10+ years of experience earn around $540,357 — a 7% increase. The most significant salary growth typically occurs in years 3-7 of practice.

What is the average Oncology signing bonus?

Among Oncology physicians, 96% report receiving bonus or incentive compensation. The median bonus is $67,500 and the average is $80,625. Bonus packages typically include signing bonuses, productivity incentives, quality bonuses, and relocation allowances.

What is the base salary vs bonus split for Oncology?

For Oncology physicians, base salary accounts for approximately 85% of total compensation (around $448,190), with the remaining 15% coming from bonuses, incentives, and productivity pay. Total compensation averages $525,590 per year based on 25 verified submissions.

Are Oncology physicians satisfied with their salary?

Oncology physicians rate their overall job satisfaction at 4.1 out of 5, with 96% saying they would choose this specialty again. Satisfaction ratings account for compensation, work-life balance, and career fulfillment. Based on 25 verified responses.

How is Oncology salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr collects Oncology salary data from 25 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 25 verified, anonymous submissions from practicing physicians. Data is updated in real-time as new submissions are received. Learn about our methodology.

  • Full-Time Oncologist Salary
  • Is Oncology Worth It?
  • Oncology Career Guide
  • Is Oncology a Good Career? (Career Outlook)
  • Physician Satisfaction in Oncology

    Satisfaction Rating

    4.1/5

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

    Would Choose Again

    96%

    Percentage of Oncology 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 Oncology 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.

    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 Oncology Salary

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

    6 Steps2 Hours
    1

    Research Market Rates

    Research current Oncology 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 Oncology physician in United States salary submissions to provide accurate insights. Your data helps colleagues make informed career decisions.

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    Always Free

    Salary Comparison

    Location Statistics

    Average Salary

    $525,590

    Median Salary

    $500,000

    Salary Range

    $470,000 - $525,000

    National Comparison

    National Average

    $525,590

    Difference

    +0% vs National Average

    Sample Size

    25 local / 25 national reports

    Take-Home Pay Calculator

    Total Salary
    $500,000
    Federal Income Tax
    -$145,374
    State Income Tax
    -$25,000
    FICA Tax
    -$20,403
    Take-Home Pay
    $309,223
    Monthly
    $25,769
    Taxes (38.2%)
    Take-Home (61.8%)
    Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.

    Salary by Practice Type

    Hospital-employed
    Average Salary
    $561,796
    Sample Size
    11 submissions
    Private Practice
    Average Salary
    $504,375
    Sample Size
    8 submissions
    Academic
    Average Salary
    $487,500
    Sample Size
    6 submissions
    Salary breakdown by practice type
    Practice TypeAverage SalarySample Size
    Hospital-employed$561,79611 submissions
    Private Practice$504,3758 submissions
    Academic

    Salary by Experience Level

    0-2 years
    Average Salary
    $435,000
    Sample Size
    1 submissions
    3-5 years
    Average Salary
    $430,792
    Sample Size
    6 submissions
    6-10 years
    Average Salary
    $600,000
    Sample Size
    9 submissions
    11-15 years
    Average Salary
    $517,000
    Sample Size
    5 submissions
    16+ years
    Average Salary
    $533,750
    Sample Size
    4 submissions
    Salary breakdown by years of experience
    Years of ExperienceAverage SalarySample Size
    $487,500
    6 submissions

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

    0-2 years$435,0001 submissions
    3-5 years$430,7926 submissions
    6-10 years$600,0009 submissions
    11-15 years$517,0005 submissions
    16+ years$533,7504 submissions

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

    Subspecialty Comparison

    Thoracic

    Average Salary
    $513,750
    Sample Size
    4 submissions
    Focuses on surgery of the chest, including lungs, esophagus, and mediastinum, often using minimally invasive techniques.

    Breast

    Average Salary
    $488,000
    Sample Size
    5 submissions
    Specializes in comprehensive breast care, including cancer surgery, oncoplastic techniques, and collaboration with plastic surgery for reconstruction.

    GI

    Average Salary
    $485,000
    Sample Size
    4 submissions
    Focuses on specialized gi procedures and treatments within oncology, providing expert care in this specific area.
    Subspecialty salary comparison
    SubspecialtyAverage SalarySample SizeDescription
    Thoracic$513,7504 submissionsFocuses on surgery of the chest, including lungs, esophagus, and mediastinum, often using minimally invasive techniques.
    Breast$488,0005 submissionsSpecializes in comprehensive breast care, including cancer surgery, oncoplastic techniques, and collaboration with plastic surgery for reconstruction.
    GI$485,0004 submissionsFocuses on specialized gi procedures and treatments within oncology, providing expert care in this specific area.

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

    * Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.