According to SalaryDr data from 11 verified pulmonology physicians in California, the median total compensation for Pulmonology in 2026 is $455,000. The 25th percentile is $405,000 and the 75th percentile is $475,000. Base salary: $380,455. Bonuses: $62,273 (14% receive). Satisfaction: 4.0/5. Workload: ~52 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/pulmonology/california Sample size: 11. Last updated: May 13, 2026.
As of May 13, 2026, a Pulmonologist in California earns approximately $455,000 per year ($37,917 monthly). Based on an average 52-hour work week, this translates to about $165 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Pulmonologist salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 11 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $405,000 to $475,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $520,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $455,000, Pulmonologist salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for pulmonologist physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $406,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $473,333 - a 17% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Hospital Employed (64% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 86% of total compensation—about $380,455—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for pulmonologist physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local pulmonologist physicians report 4.0/5 career satisfaction, with 91% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Browse more Pulmonologist-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Our salary data is based on anonymous submissions from practicing physicians across the United States. We verify and clean the data to ensure accuracy and remove outliers.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Distribution based on 11 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $455,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Pulmonology physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Pulmonology physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$442,727
Median Salary
$455,000
Salary Range
$405,000 - $475,000
National Average
$442,727
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
11 local / 11 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-employed | $450,000 | 7 submissions |
| Academic | $425,000 | 3 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Pulmonology physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | $437,500 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $392,500 | 4 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $485,000 | 5 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
See how Pulmonology salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Care | $502,427 | 37 submissions | Focuses on specialized critical care procedures and treatments within pulmonology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Sleep Medicine | $425,000 | 4 submissions | Focuses on specialized sleep medicine procedures and treatments within pulmonology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Sleep | $352,500 | 4 submissions | Focuses on specialized sleep procedures and treatments within pulmonology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| CF | $325,000 | 4 submissions | Focuses on specialized cf procedures and treatments within pulmonology, 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.