How Much Does a Doctor Make? Salaries by State and Specialty

What is the average salary for a doctor?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for physicians and surgeons was equal to or greater than $239,200 in May 2024. The BLS uses this threshold because wages above it are top-coded in published median data. A separate recruitment-platform estimate placed the average physician salary at about $209,730 per year.

These figures are not directly interchangeable. A median identifies the midpoint of the wage distribution, while an average adds all reported earnings and divides them by the number of observations. Different datasets may also include different specialties, employers and types of compensation.

When reviewing a job offer, distinguish base salary from productivity pay, call compensation, bonuses, profit sharing and benefits. A higher advertised figure may come with heavier clinical volume, more call responsibilities or fewer benefits.

Doctor salaries in 10 high-paying states

The following figures are physician salary estimates published by a recruitment platform. They are useful as examples of geographic variation, but they should not be treated as official statewide averages or guaranteed offers. Small samples, specialty mix and changing vacancies can produce unusually high estimates.

State	Estimated annual physician salary
Nebraska	$521,668
Mississippi	$387,525
Delaware	$324,945
North Dakota	$301,616
Minnesota	$293,058
Kentucky	$280,470
West Virginia	$273,926
Alaska	$272,078
Utah	$271,616
Wisconsin	$270,992

High compensation in a state does not always mean that every doctor earns more there. Rural and underserved areas may offer recruitment incentives to attract particular specialties, while a few highly compensated listings can raise an online average. Compare current offers for your exact specialty and community rather than relying on a statewide number alone.

Cost of living is also important. A lower nominal salary may provide greater purchasing power in a less expensive area. State taxes, housing, malpractice premiums and local reimbursement patterns can all affect take-home income.

Doctor salaries by specialty

The BLS publishes mean annual wage estimates for detailed physician and surgeon occupations. The following May 2024 figures provide a consistent national comparison. A mean is an average, not the salary every physician in the specialty receives.

1. Pediatric surgeon

Mean annual wage: $450,810

Pediatric surgeons diagnose and operate on infants, children and adolescents. The specialty requires surgical residency and additional pediatric surgical training. Complexity, limited specialist supply and emergency coverage contribute to high compensation.

2. Cardiologist

Mean annual wage: $432,490

Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Some focus on noninvasive care, while interventional cardiologists perform procedures such as catheter-based treatments. Pay differs substantially by subspecialty and procedure volume.

3. Surgeon, all other

Mean annual wage: $371,280

This broad BLS category includes surgeons not reported in a separate detailed occupation. Surgeons perform operations, manage preoperative and postoperative care and often take emergency call. Earnings vary by surgical field, setting and workload.

4. Orthopedic surgeon

Mean annual wage: $365,060

Orthopedic surgeons treat conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. They may specialize in areas such as sports medicine, spine, trauma or joint replacement. Surgical volume and practice ownership can influence compensation.

5. Radiologist

Mean annual wage: $359,820

Radiologists interpret medical images to diagnose injury and disease. Diagnostic radiologists review studies such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, while interventional radiologists perform image-guided procedures. Work schedule and subspecialty expertise affect earnings.

6. Dermatologist

Mean annual wage: $347,810

Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions involving skin, hair and nails. Their work may include medical care, surgery and cosmetic services. The mix of insured medical procedures and self-pay services can produce wide compensation differences.

7. Anesthesiologist

Mean annual wage: $336,640

Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia, monitor patients during procedures and manage pain or critical-care needs. Compensation may reflect operating-room schedules, overnight call and the intensity of clinical responsibilities.

8. Emergency medicine physician

Mean annual wage: $320,700

Emergency medicine physicians evaluate and stabilize patients with urgent illnesses and injuries. They work in scheduled shifts that can include nights, weekends and holidays. Pay varies by facility, patient volume and regional staffing needs.

9. Ophthalmologist

Mean annual wage: $301,500

Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye diseases and can perform surgery. Some specialize in retina, glaucoma, cornea or pediatric ophthalmology. Procedure mix and practice structure can affect total earnings.

10. Neurologist

Mean annual wage: $286,310

Neurologists treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. They may focus on stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular disease or other subspecialties. Hospital coverage and fellowship training can influence compensation.

Additional physician specialty salaries

The same BLS data reports the following national mean annual wages for other physician specialties:

Specialty	Mean annual wage
Obstetrician and gynecologist	$281,130
Psychiatrist	$269,120
Pathologist	$266,020
General internal medicine physician	$262,710
Family medicine physician	$256,830
Physicians, all other	$253,470
General pediatrician	$222,340

Some fields, including medical oncology and plastic surgery, are not shown as separate detailed occupations in this BLS table. Salary reports from professional groups may provide more granular comparisons, but their methodologies and participant populations differ.

Factors that affect a doctor's salary

Medical specialty

Specialties requiring lengthy training, procedural expertise, emergency coverage or a scarce workforce often pay more. Primary care may offer lower average compensation but can provide broader geographic opportunities and long-term patient relationships.

Location

Compensation can rise in communities that have difficulty recruiting physicians. Large cities may offer more employers and subspecialty opportunities, but they can also have greater competition and higher living costs.

Experience

Residents and fellows earn training salaries that are much lower than attending-physician compensation. After training, experience, board certification and a record of clinical productivity may support higher pay or leadership opportunities.

Employer and practice setting

Doctors work for hospitals, academic medical centers, private groups, government systems, community clinics and other organizations. Academic and public-service roles may pay less in cash compensation but offer research time, loan programs, retirement benefits or mission-driven work.

Employment model

Employed physicians may receive a predictable salary and benefits. Practice owners can earn more when the business performs well, but they also assume overhead, staffing and financial risk. Partnership tracks and group-distribution formulas deserve careful review.

Clinical productivity

Some compensation plans use patient visits, procedures, collections or work relative value units. Productivity incentives can increase earnings but may also create pressure to maintain volume. Quality and patient-satisfaction measures may be included as well.

Schedule and call

Night shifts, weekend coverage, emergency call and additional clinical sessions can increase pay. Candidates should compare how often call occurs, whether it is paid separately and how frequently physicians return to the facility.

Benefits and incentives

Health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, malpractice coverage, continuing education, relocation support and student-loan assistance can add substantial value. Signing bonuses may require repayment if the physician leaves before completing an agreed period.

How long does it take to become a doctor?

Physicians typically complete a bachelor's degree followed by four years of medical school. Residency usually takes three to nine years depending on the specialty, and subspecialty fellowships may add one to three years. All states require physicians to be licensed.

The length and cost of training are important when comparing salaries. A high-paying specialty may require more years before full earning begins. Students should consider interest, aptitude, schedule, training environment and long-term career satisfaction alongside compensation.

How to compare physician job offers

• Separate guaranteed base salary from variable or productivity compensation.

• Ask how bonuses are calculated and when they are paid.

• Review call frequency, shift expectations and patient volume.

• Confirm who pays malpractice premiums and whether tail coverage is included.

• Compare retirement, insurance, leave and continuing-education benefits.

• Review noncompete, termination and bonus-repayment terms with qualified counsel.

• Consider cost of living, taxes and relocation expenses.

• Ask how compensation may change after the initial guarantee period.

Salary information is for career research and does not replace individualized financial, legal or employment advice.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the average doctor salary in the United States?

The BLS reports that the median wage for physicians and surgeons was at least $239,200 per year in May 2024. Other sources may report different averages because they use different samples and methods.

Which doctor specialty makes the most money?

In the BLS May 2024 mean-wage data, pediatric surgeons and cardiologists were among the highest-paid detailed physician occupations. Individual compensation can differ greatly within each specialty.

Why do doctor salary estimates vary so much?

Sources may include different specialties, locations, employers and compensation components. Average and median figures also measure different things, and small online samples can be volatile.

Do doctors make more in rural areas?

Some rural or underserved communities offer higher salaries, signing bonuses or loan assistance to recruit physicians. This is not universal, and the availability of facilities, call coverage and professional support should also be considered.

How much do resident doctors make?

Residents receive a training salary set by their program and postgraduate year. It is substantially lower than typical attending compensation and varies by institution and location.

Does private practice pay more than hospital employment?

It can, particularly for owners in profitable practices, but it also involves business expenses and financial risk. Hospital employment may provide more predictable pay, benefits and administrative support.