Source: SalaryDr salary data for Pulmonary (N=78 verified submissions, updated March 25, 2026, data as of 2026-03-25). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Becoming a pulmonologist requires 10 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 3 years (IM residency) of residency, and 3 years pulm/crit fellowship. The median attending salary is $457,500/year based on 78 verified submissions.
4 years
Average medical school debt: $200,000 (AAMC). No physician income during this period.
3 years (IM residency)
Residency salary data not yet available. Typical resident salaries range from $63,000-$88,000/year.
3 years pulm/crit fellowship
Fellowship salary data not yet available. Fellows typically earn $70,000-$95,000/year.
0-5 years experience
Based on 16 verified submissions(16 submissions)
6-15 years experience
Based on 53 verified submissions(53 submissions)
16+ years experience
Based on 9 verified submissions(9 submissions)
Pulmonologist salaries typically increase significantly with experience. Mid-career pulmonologists earn approximately $82,500 more per year than early career physicians — a 22% increase. Senior pulmonologists earn a median of $480,000/year, reflecting peak earning potential.
| Career Stage | Median Salary | vs. Early Career | Submissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career (0-5 yrs) | $377,500 | Baseline | 16 |
| Mid-Career (6-15 yrs) | $460,000 | +$82,500 | 53 |
| Senior (16+ yrs) | $480,000 | +$102,500 | 9 |
It takes 10 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 3 years (IM residency) of residency, and 3 years pulm/crit fellowship. Most physicians begin independent practice in their early 30s.
Pulmonologists earn a full attending salary after completing all required training (10 years post-college). During residency and fellowship, physicians earn a training salary that is significantly less than attending pay.
With average medical school debt of $200,000 and a median attending salary of $457,500, pulmonologists can typically expect to reach a financial break-even point approximately 1 years after starting attending practice. Actual timelines vary based on loan terms, living expenses, and repayment strategy.
Yes. Pulmonary attending salaries generally increase with experience. Our data shows mid-career pulmonologists (6-15 years) earn approximately 22% more than early career physicians (0-5 years).
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