Palliative Care Salary 2026 — $325,000 Median | SalaryDr
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According to SalaryDr data from 16 verified palliative care physicians, the median total compensation for Palliative Care in 2026 is $325,000. The 25th percentile is $305,000 and the 75th percentile is $350,000. Base salary: $267,063. Bonuses: $58,125 (18% receive). Satisfaction: 4.1/5. Workload: ~43 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/palliative-care Sample size: 16. Last updated: March 15, 2026.

Last updated: June 3, 2025 | Based on 16 verified submissions

Palliative Care Salary Data

At a Glance: Palliative Care Salary (2026)

The median palliative care salary in the United States is $325,000 per year as of March 2026, based on 16 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr. The average palliative care salary is $325,188, with the 25th percentile at $305,000 and the 75th percentile at $350,000.

Median Salary
$325,000
Average Salary
$325,188
25th Percentile
$305,000
75th Percentile
$350,000
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated March 15, 2026

Median

$325,000

Average

$325,188

25th

$305,000

75th

$350,000

Based on 16 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$305,000 – $372,500
25th
$305,000
Median
$325,000
75th
$350,000
Middle 50% earn
$305,000 – $350,000
Median salary
$325,000
Average salary
$325,188

Salary Range

Minimum$305,000
Maximum$428,000

Percentiles

25th$305,000
75th$350,000

Breakdown

Monthly$27,083
Hourly$156

How much does a Palliative Care make?

Quick Answer: Palliative Care Salary

a palliative care earns approximately $325,000 per year, with most earning between $305,000 and $350,000 annually. This translates to about $147 per hour based on a 43-hour work week.

As of June 3, 2025, a Palliative Care earns approximately $325,000 per year ($27,083 monthly). Based on an average 43-hour work week, this translates to about $147 per hour.

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

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 16 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $305,000 to $350,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $428,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Palliative Care salaries are above the national median.

Career Growth and Employment Trends

The salary progression for Palliative Care shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $306,625, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $343,750 – a 12% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

Most commonly, Palliative Care physicians work in Hospital Employed settings (75% of submissions). On average, base salary accounts for 82% of total compensation—about $267,063—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.

Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction

Salary Distribution

$0K$100K$200K$300K$400K$305,00025th$325,000Median$350,00075th

Distribution based on 16 verified physician salary submissions.

Median Salary: $325,000

Palliative Care Salaries by State

Browse All Specialties →

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

AlabamaArizonaCaliforniaGeorgiaIllinois

Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care Salaries

What factors influence Palliative Care salaries?

Palliative 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 Palliative Care salaries compare to other medical specialties?

Palliative Care offers competitive compensation, with median salaries in the mid-range compared to other medical specialties.

What is the job outlook for Palliative Care?

The demand for Palliative 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.

Explore More About Palliative Care Compensation

  • Palliative Care Salary Overview
  • Palliative Care Salary Benchmarks
  • Palliative Care Salary Negotiation Guide
  • Palliative Care in California
  • Palliative Care in Texas
  • Palliative Care in New York
  • Palliative Care in Florida
  • Palliative Care in Illinois
  • Palliative Care Lifestyle & Satisfaction
  • Take-Home Pay Calculator
  • Physician Salary FAQ
  • Early Career Palliative Care Salary
  • Mid-Career Palliative Care Salary
  • Offer Analyzer Tool
  • Private Practice Palliative Care Salary
  • Full-Time Palliative Care Salary

Compare Physician Salaries

Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive physician salary benchmarks to see how compensation compares across different specialties and regions.

View Physician Benchmarks

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Salary by Experience Level

0-2 years
Average Salary
$270,000
Sample Size
1 submissions
3-5 years
Average Salary
$310,600
Sample Size
5 submissions
6-10 years
Average Salary
$333,571
Sample Size
7 submissions
11-15 years
Average Salary
$347,500
Sample Size
2 submissions
16+ years
Average Salary
$350,000
Sample Size
1 submissions
Salary breakdown by years of experience

Physician Satisfaction in Palliative Care

Satisfaction Rating

4.1/5

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

Would Choose Again

88%

Percentage of Palliative Care 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.

Salary Comparison

Location Statistics

Average Salary

$325,188

Median Salary

$325,000

Salary Range

$305,000 - $350,000

National Comparison

National Average

$325,188

Difference

+0% vs National Average

Sample Size

16 local / 16 national reports

Salary by Practice Type

Hospital-employed
Average Salary
$331,917
Sample Size
12 submissions
Academic
Average Salary
$300,000
Sample Size
3 submissions
Salary breakdown by practice type
Practice TypeAverage SalarySample Size
Hospital-employed$331,91712 submissions
Academic$300,0003 submissions

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

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Total Salary
$325,000
Federal Income Tax
-$84,124
State Income Tax
-$16,250
FICA Tax
-$16,291
Take-Home Pay
$208,336
Monthly
$17,361
Taxes (35.9%)
Take-Home (64.1%)
Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions about physician salaries in Palliative Care.

Data Source: All salary information is based on verified submissions from practicing physicians and is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.

How to Negotiate Your Palliative Care Salary

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

6 Steps2 Hours
1

Research Market Rates

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

100% Anonymous
Verified Data
Always Free
Years of ExperienceAverage SalarySample Size
0-2 years$270,0001 submissions
3-5 years$310,6005 submissions
6-10 years$333,5717 submissions
11-15 years$347,5002 submissions
16+ years$350,0001 submissions

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

Palliative Care physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 4.1 out of 5, with 88% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Career Path and Training Requirements

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

Iowa
Massachusetts
Montana
New York
Washington
Is Palliative Care Worth It?

Subspecialty Comparison

Hospice

Average Salary
$348,600
Sample Size
5 submissions
Focuses on specialized hospice procedures and treatments within palliative care, providing expert care in this specific area.
Subspecialty salary comparison
SubspecialtyAverage SalarySample SizeDescription
Hospice$348,6005 submissionsFocuses on specialized hospice procedures and treatments within palliative care, 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.