Pulmonologist Salary 2026: $623K Median | SalaryDr
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According to SalaryDr data from 6 verified pulmonology physicians, the median total compensation for Pulmonology in 2026 is $622,500. The 25th percentile is $462,000 and the 75th percentile is $750,000. Base salary: $353,667. Bonuses: $308,750 (47% receive). Satisfaction: 3.7/5. Workload: ~58 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/pulmonology Sample size: 6. Last updated: March 29, 2026.

Data updated March 2026|6 verified submissions

Pulmonologist Salary 2026: $623K Median

At a Glance: Pulmonologist Salary (2026)

The median pulmonologist salary in the United States is $622,500 per year as of March 2026, based on 6 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr. The average pulmonologist salary is $662,417, with the 25th percentile at $462,000 and the 75th percentile at $750,000.

Median Salary
$622,500
Average Salary
$662,417
25th Percentile
$462,000
75th Percentile
$750,000
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated March 29, 2026

Median

$622,500

Average

$662,417

25th

$462,000

75th

$750,000

Based on 6 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$462K$462,000 – $894K$894,000
25th
$462K$462,000
Median
$623K$622,500
75th
$750K$750,000
Avg
Middle 50% earn
$462K$462,000 – $750K$750,000
Median salary
$623K$622,500
Average salary
$662K$662,417

Salary Range

Minimum$462,000
Maximum$1,350,000

Percentiles

25th$462,000
75th$750,000

Breakdown

Monthly$51,875
Hourly$299

How much does a Pulmonologist make?

Quick Answer: Pulmonologist Salary

a pulmonologist earns approximately $622,500 per year, with most earning between $462,000 and $750,000 annually. This translates to about $218 per hour based on a 58-hour work week.

As of March 5, 2026, a Pulmonologist earns approximately $622,500 per year ($51,875 monthly). Based on an average 58-hour work week, this translates to about $218 per hour.

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

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 6 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $462,000 to $750,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $1,350,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Pulmonologist salaries are above the national median.

Career Growth and Employment Trends

The salary progression for Pulmonologist shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $559,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $765,833 – a 37% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

Most commonly, Pulmonologist physicians work in Hospital Employed settings (67% of submissions). On average, base salary accounts for 53% of total compensation—about $353,667—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.

Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction

Pulmonology Bonus & Incentive Pay (2026)

Based on 6 verified salary submissions. 67% of Pulmonology physicians reported receiving bonus/incentive compensation.

$416,250
Median Bonus
67%
Report Bonus Pay
$210,000
25th Percentile
$1,000,000
75th Percentile

Bonus Compensation Overview

Average Bonus
$463,125
Median Bonus
$416,250
Bonus Range (IQR)
$210,000 - $1,000,000
Bonus as % of Total Comp
58%
Physicians with Bonus
4 of 6 (67%)

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.

Pulmonology Salaries by State

Browse All Specialties →

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

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Pulmonology Salary FAQ (2026)

Answers based on 6 verified physician salary submissions, updated in real-time.

Explore More About Pulmonologist Compensation

  • Pulmonology Salary Overview
  • Pulmonology Salary Benchmarks
  • Pulmonology Salary Negotiation Guide
  • Pulmonology in California
  • Pulmonology Lifestyle & Satisfaction
  • Best Cities for Pulmonology
  • Pulmonology in Texas
  • Is Pulmonology Worth It?
  • Pulmonology in New York
  • Pulmonology in Florida
  • Pulmonology in Illinois
  • Pulmonologist Lifestyle & Satisfaction
  • Take-Home Pay Calculator
  • Physician Salary FAQ
  • Offer Analyzer Tool
  • Is Pulmonology a Good Career? (Career Outlook)

Pulmonologist Compensation Benchmarks

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

View Pulmonologist Benchmark DataAll Specialty Benchmarks

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Salary Comparison

Location Statistics

Average Salary

$662,417

Median Salary

$622,500

Salary Range

$462,000 - $750,000

National Comparison

National Average

$662,417

Difference

+0% vs National Average

Sample Size

6 local / 6 national reports

Salary by Practice Type

Hospital-employed
Average Salary
$500,500
Sample Size
4 submissions
Salary breakdown by practice type

Physician Satisfaction in Pulmonology

Satisfaction Rating

3.7/5

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

Would Choose Again

83%

Percentage of Pulmonology 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 Pulmonology Salary Benchmark

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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 Pulmonology Salary

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

6 Steps2 Hours
1

Research Market Rates

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

100% Anonymous
Verified Data
Always Free
Practice TypeAverage SalarySample Size
Hospital-employed$500,5004 submissions

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

Pulmonology physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 3.7 out of 5, with 83% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Career Path and Training Requirements

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

How much does a Pulmonology make in 2026?

Based on 6 verified physician salary submissions on SalaryDr, the median Pulmonology salary in 2026 is $622,500 per year. The average salary is $662,417. This works out to approximately $218 per hour based on a 58-hour work week.

What is the salary range for Pulmonology?

The middle 50% of Pulmonology physicians earn between $462,000 (25th percentile) and $750,000 (75th percentile). Top earners at the 90th percentile or above can make $1,350,000 or more annually. This data comes from 6 verified salary reports.

How much do first-year Pulmonology physicians make?

Early career Pulmonology physicians (0-5 years experience) earn a median salary of approximately $559,000, while those with 10+ years of experience earn around $765,833 — a 37% increase. The most significant salary growth typically occurs in years 3-7 of practice.

What is the average Pulmonology signing bonus?

Among Pulmonology physicians, 67% report receiving bonus or incentive compensation. The median bonus is $416,250 and the average is $463,125. Bonus packages typically include signing bonuses, productivity incentives, quality bonuses, and relocation allowances.

What is the base salary vs bonus split for Pulmonology?

For Pulmonology physicians, base salary accounts for approximately 53% of total compensation (around $353,667), with the remaining 47% coming from bonuses, incentives, and productivity pay. Total compensation averages $662,417 per year based on 6 verified submissions.

Are Pulmonology physicians satisfied with their salary?

Pulmonology physicians rate their overall job satisfaction at 3.7 out of 5, with 83% saying they would choose this specialty again. Satisfaction ratings account for compensation, work-life balance, and career fulfillment. Based on 6 verified responses.

How is Pulmonology salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr collects Pulmonology salary data from 6 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 6 verified, anonymous submissions from practicing physicians. Data is updated in real-time as new submissions are received. Learn about our methodology.

Salary by Experience Level

0-2 years
Average Salary
$462,000
Sample Size
1 submissions
3-5 years
Average Salary
$722,500
Sample Size
4 submissions
6-10 years
Average Salary
$622,500
Sample Size
1 submissions
Salary breakdown by years of experience
Years of ExperienceAverage SalarySample Size
0-2 years$462,0001 submissions
3-5 years$722,5004 submissions
6-10 years$622,5001 submissions

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

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Total Salary
$622,500
Federal Income Tax
-$188,511
State Income Tax
-$31,125
FICA Tax
-$23,282
Take-Home Pay
$379,582
Monthly
$31,632
Taxes (39.0%)
Take-Home (61.0%)
Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.