Source: SalaryDr salary data for in California (N=406 approved reports). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Physician Salary in California (2026)
The average physician salary in California is $597,449 across all specialties, based on 406 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The median is $540,000, with a typical range of $400,000–$700,000.
Source: SalaryDr physician-reported data • Updated Oct 2026
Cost of Living in California
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average (regional price parity 110.7, where the U.S. = 100). While nominal salaries may be higher, physicians should account for elevated housing and living costs when comparing offers. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physician Salaries by Specialty in California
| Specialty | Median Salary | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $880,000 | $1,087,619 | 21 |
| Thoracic Surgery | $770,000 | $661,250 | 4 |
| Plastic Surgery | $750,000 | $1,021,333 | 15 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $732,000 | $714,200 | 15 |
| Gynecologic Oncology | $700,000 | $695,000 | 4 |
| Pain Management | $695,000 | $620,000 | 3 |
| Ophthalmology | $680,000 | $776,538 | 13 |
| Dermatology | $680,000 | $657,000 | 22 |
| Cardiology | $670,000 | $691,958 | 24 |
| Vascular Surgery | $640,000 | $662,500 | 10 |
| Urology | $630,000 | $736,538 | 13 |
| Anesthesiology | $625,000 | $603,375 | 20 |
| Radiation Oncology | $615,000 | $614,857 | 7 |
| General Surgery | $610,000 | $565,769 | 26 |
| Radiology | $590,000 | $641,941 | 17 |
| Interventional Radiology | $585,000 | $632,778 | 9 |
| Gastroenterology | $580,000 | $809,536 | 14 |
| Otolaryngology | $535,000 | $533,333 | 3 |
| Hematology/Oncology | $520,000 | $591,065 | 14 |
| Pulmonology | $455,000 | $442,727 | 11 |
| Critical Care | $445,000 | $440,000 | 3 |
| Emergency Medicine | $430,000 | $513,680 | 16 |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $420,000 | $411,143 | 7 |
| Nephrology | $410,000 | $395,000 | 5 |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $400,000 | $396,667 | 3 |
| Pathology | $391,000 | $464,200 | 5 |
| Neurology | $390,000 | $406,600 | 5 |
| Neonatology | $380,000 | $400,000 | 5 |
| Occupational Medicine | $365,000 | $389,000 | 5 |
| Allergy/Immunology | $360,000 | $375,000 | 5 |
| Psychiatry | $355,000 | $445,579 | 13 |
| Sports Medicine | $355,000 | $368,333 | 3 |
| Internal Medicine | $350,000 | $394,616 | 14 |
| Family Medicine | $345,000 | $338,425 | 10 |
| Infectious Disease | $340,000 | $324,500 | 6 |
| Endocrinology | $340,000 | $320,000 | 5 |
| Preventive Medicine | $310,000 | $306,667 | 3 |
| Pediatrics | $305,000 | $330,464 | 28 |
Top Cities for Physicians in California
Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Salary in California
What is the average physician salary in California?
The average physician salary in California is $597,449, with a median of $540,000, based on 406 approved salary reports on SalaryDr.
Which medical specialty pays the most in California?
Based on SalaryDr data, Neurosurgery has the highest median salary in California at $880,000.
How does the cost of living in California affect physician pay?
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024: 110.7, where the U.S. = 100). Physicians should factor in housing, taxes, and everyday expenses when evaluating offers.
What cities in California pay physicians the most?
Top cities for physician employment in California include Los Angeles Metro. Urban areas tend to offer higher salaries but also higher living costs.
How many physicians report salary data in California?
SalaryDr currently has 406 approved physician salary reports from California.
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